Usman Galba (Azuqueca de Henares, Madrid, 03-09-2002) is energy, power and vitality. Not only prudence, but also ambition. Serious maturity and gentle youth. In response to my modest first season, I got bored sweating in the gym for hours and hours this summer. “It’s past”. Steps before completing with euro basketball The pervert who surprised his coach with the Houston Rockets, Stephen Cyrus. With these Rockets saturated with so much young talent, more and more time is becoming more and more important.

Just finished a morning shooting session at Scotiabank Arena. toronto raptors, the European champion will attend the MD who wants to speak. “Don’t worry, you have time,” says Interiors. During the conversation he emphasizes the following maxim. Even without the minutes.” It’s repetitive in its motto, but not boring. His words are like basketball, they all have answers. He unabashedly admits that his virtues go beyond the accepted defense, that he can give more, that he can do more. Draymond Green”,highlight. Usman sparks, Usman sends.

He didn’t get any minutes in the first two games, but he’s been playing more and more since then. How are you feeling now that the season has started?

I’m playing, I’m doing well, I’m doing everything they ask of me, and I’m happy about it.

What does your coach, Stephen Cyrus, want from you?

To be intense, to do what we are used to, to play like in the European Championship. They told me that if I played with that intensity, like at the European Championships, I would play for a few minutes.I’m ready for anything.

From what he says, in his case at least, what he’s doing beyond the NBA is highly regarded, and in FIBA ​​basketball with the national team as well.

Yes, doing it outside will be appreciated. A lot of the time people don’t think so, but they are aware of it and best of all it’s something they can transfer to the team to make it better. gave me They sent people to train there and they controlled me a lot during the varsity and postseason. they helped me a lot.

What have been the factors that moved you from not playing to having more time this season?

There have been injuries to teammates like Bruno Fernando, who has played more this year. But during preseason they told me it wouldn’t be like last year. Whether it’s 5 minutes, 10 minutes, 25 minutes, you have to be ready for it all. Don’t get depressed by not playing. It contributes to many things, such as scoring, assists, and rebounding. In this league, it is important to contribute in many ways. Many have built careers like this. That’s my goal.

He’s playing now, but how will he deal with knowing there’s always a chance he’ll be in the rotation and out of the game overnight?

He’s doing great, I’m ready, this is my situation right now. 20 years old) it’s normal and happens in a lot of young teams. We are many players, young people, and many in my position of ‘4’ and ‘5’. Not everyone can be happy. And even on days when he’s not playing, don’t be discouraged, cheer on his teammates, do some post-game cardio and push yourself to the limit.

“The team knew me well in the summer, which means I am important to them.”

Have you talked to your coaches about being able to come out of the rotation?

Yes, we already got an idea of ​​how we’re going to play in the pre-match (the morning filming session before the game) a little while ago. Everyone does, and so do headlines. There may be days when you shouldn’t play, but you have to protect certain players, so you’ll play. Always be prepared. That’s the key to this league. That’s what I learned a lot in the last year. Because at first I was frustrated with not being able to play. I’m from Europe so it’s normal. But not here. You have to adapt to it. There may come a time when we play more or not at all this year. You should be ready for everything.

I was told that the NBA would consider the merits accumulated outside. Willy Hernangómez was his Eurobasket MVP, Juancho in the final. Either they haven’t played or they only have a few minutes. How would you rate your situation?

This league is different. They think he’s a great player who can be on any team in the NBA, but you have to look at the situation of each team. There are many things behind them. They are two great players, as they showed in the European Championship, but we also have to understand that this league is different. It depends on how each team is made up, what they want from you, your playing characteristics…a lot. behind it. Like I say, they’re two great players, but he’s got 1,000 stories on the team and you have to figure it out.

It’s Santi Aldama who spends a lot of time and delivers an excellent level.

Santi has adapted very well to the team and they are giving him a chance. i am happy with him And Juancho and Willy hope they get the chance later.

Aldama said he worked very hard this summer until he gave up on the national team and focused 100% on preparing for the season. You’ve also done a lot of work, but most of all you’re talking about jumping on a physical level. Is there anything else you think you’ve made progress on?

More than physical, knowing the state of the game is tactical, especially knowing your teammates, knowing what they are going to play and what style of play they are communicating. Our style of play is basically 3-pointers or layups. We have great 1v1 players like Jalen Green and Kevin Porter Jr. And that’s always my goal, set them free.

“Huancho and Willie could play for any team in the NBA, but each team has its own story.”

How has your daily personal work routine changed compared to last year?

With more gym time, I feel like this summer has gone too far (laughs). Before going to the national team, I used to go to the gym a lot. I became very strong. There were also many video sessions. They sent us lots of videos to see how we play. When I’m alone at home at night, I like to watch the game on TV after the game to review our play and see what we can do to improve our block angles and all that stuff. And it’s doing me good. I will also do it in the pavilion.

He always says the reference is Draymond Green. He’s not a player who can score a lot of points, but he contributes a lot in every aspect. Is it your goal to have such a profile?

The goal is to play. Always, first and foremost, I am a team player and will do whatever it takes for the team. Some days you have to try to score, some days you have to do something else. If I am asked to score more points in the future, I will have to be more aggressive towards the rim, but that is my goal for now. People have compared me to Draymond and my type of game is right. He might be able to play more than 5 because he’s taller, but in the future, that’s the type of player I want to be. Having that style will allow you to spend more time in this league.

A lot has been said about his defensive abilities, but have you talked with Cyrus about how he’ll use his other qualities, such as game readability?

The goal is to become a more complete player. We need to improve in many areas, offensively and defensively, to be able to do more if possible. I want to be as versatile as possible. I work every day and watch a lot of videos with my staff to improve the game situation. I’ve improved a lot tactically by watching the game from the outside because I can see situations and things in the game that other people don’t see.

Just look at the Rockets’ standings and you’ll see they’re the worst in the NBA in terms of win-loss balance. But they have a roster full of young talent: Kevin Porter Jr., Jalen Greene, Jabari Smith Jr., Alperen Sengan, you…

That’s certainly what people who don’t watch our games much and just look at the standings say. But this team has a lot of potential. We do a lot, especially in the summer. I don’t know when it will be, but I don’t know if it won’t blow up this season. I don’t know where, but we are there.

“We have a lot of potential as a team and we will get there very soon.”

Alperen Sengun (middle) is his biggest competition to play. It also shows higher and higher levels.

Relationships are perfect. we get along very well. I get a lot of ‘hit’ in training (laughs). We “stick” to the national team from a young age, we are team players and we want this franchise to be as high as possible. We advise and support each other. We are very happy to share the team with the European players you have played against since childhood. Hopefully we can be here for much or the rest of our careers.

His brother Seddiq is one of Spain’s basketball prospects. In the summer he left Real Madrid to go to Cartagena (LEB Plata). How is it?

Yes, the truth is that it was a complicated decision. He could have played for the LEB Oro team but I don’t think it would be the best for him.Now LEB Plata is better.They got off to a terrible start but we It’s November and anything can happen. I think he has a lot to learn.

You have always emphasized the sacrifices your parents made for you when they immigrated from Nigeria. How related are they to your mental toughness?

Of course, my parents give me a lot of strength. They have helped me since I was little.They always told me that I had to fight for everything.It was not easy for them.Thank God. increase. we were lucky I did well in basketball and everything is going well for my family not only here but all over Europe. I think that’s why you gave it to me. I miss them, they rarely come, my mom came for Christmas.