A very tough stage is coming for a Unicaja team that has shown a lot of solvency at home and that outside the Palace, lately, has also been seen seriously in Vitoria and Hungary. Let’s see now how he manages this “triptych” that starts in Fontajau this Saturday (8:45 p.m.).
Tyson Carter, recovered
Ibon Navarro has its entire squad in perfect condition, with the exception of the long-term absence of Augusto Lima. Tyson Carter, with discomfort at the beginning of the week, was ruled out for Tuesday’s midweek clash against Peristeri, but he is already fully fit and will be one more in the rotation for this event in Catalan lands.
It will be a very special match for two composer players. Yankuba Sima He will play in the city where he was born 27 years ago. It is true that he was never in the Girona first team, but he was in the lower categories of Sant Josep and Santa Eugènia. He will surely have several friends in the stands of the Catalan pavilion this Saturday.
The other great proper noun is Cameron Taylor. The North American was one of the most important players in Basquet Girona last season. He had a contract for this season with the Catalan team, but Unicaja was left without Darío Brizuela overnight and paid the exit clause for the North American forward with the Fontajau team to incorporate him into the green and purple squad. Taylor is a very beloved player in Girona and he will surely receive the love of the stands when his name is announced at the Unicaja presentation prior to the start of the match.
Maximum demanding exam
We are facing a most demanding exam. Girona has the same league balance as the greens (5-3), so they are fully involved in the fight to play in the next Copa del Rey in Malaga 2024. Those led by Salva Camps know that if they become strong in Fontajau they will have the most affordable cup ticket. That is why we will have to play a great game this Saturday to be able to return to Malaga with the victory.
The success that Basquet Girona is achieving is being achieved with a squad in which there are numerous new features. Among all of them, the presence of Ike Iroegbuthe third best scorer in the League with an average of 15.5 points, being 4th in triples scored (2.4) and 2nd in free throws scored (4.6).
Other notable additions are those of the eaves Yves Pons (8.4 pts and 5.7 rbts) and Sergi Martínez (5.5 pts., 6 rbts. and 10.4 val). It should be noted that Martínez is the 4th best in the Endesa League in recoveries, with 1.6 per game. In addition, the arrival of players like the Lithuanian power forward Mindaugas Susinkas (8 pts. and 50% in T.3) or the Hungarian center Gyorgy Goloman (9.1 pts. and 3.9 rbts) give consistency to the lively game proposed by the Girona team.
Danger with Brown
It should also be noted that with the season started they have incorporated Markel Brown and Corey Davis. Of these two players, the role of Brown stands out, who after 5 games played is little by little growing in importance in the Girona game. For example, 2 days ago against UCAM Murcia he scored 29 points with 6 of 10 in triples that was decisive for the victory of the Catalans.
After seven consecutive victories, between the Endesa League and the European competition, Unicaja puts its streak on the line this Saturday night on a hot court against a team from the Top 8 of the League. It won’t be easy at all, but neither will it be for the Catalans. Great game in sight…