This Spanish basketball team, the reigning world champion, began a focused training camp in Madrid on a Tuesday as it counted down to a European preparation period scheduled from 1 to 18 September. Its legacy remains striking after two decades filled with titles and achievements that solidified its status among the most storied teams in Spanish sports history. Yet change is visible, and a clear generational shift is emerging in the group’s new, more youthful lineup presented to the public.
Marc Gasol no longer serves as the guiding presence; his absence marks the first time in sixteen years that he isn’t leading the squad. Joining him on the journey are familiar names like Ricky Rubio, the hero of the Beijing 2019 World Cup triumph, who has recovered from an injury, along with veterans like Rudy Navarro, Felipe Reyes, and Victor Claver. Only five champions from the last World Cup remain in contention today.
#Family opens the curtain at EuroBasket in front of media, institutions, and sponsors #ModeEurope #Weareateam
– Basketball Spain (@BaloncestoESP) August 2, 2022
The most significant change is the inclusion of an American guard who recently became a nationalized Spaniard, Lawrence Brown. He forms part of a trend away from the long-standing approach that had not seen Barça players on the original 22-man list since 1971. He joins two young talents—John Nuñez (Real Madrid) and Hector Alderete (Students)—who have already shone by winning the under-20 European championship. This transition embodies the necessary evolution that the team’s leadership must oversee. Sergio Scariolo will head into the European Championship with a squad that will lean on Madrid-based players to anchor its core identity. Rudy Fernandez, now 37, with 233 international appearances, and Sergio Llull, aged 34 with 152 caps, are expected to adapt and preserve the team’s competitive DNA while continuing to reinvent themselves as needed.
maximum demand
“This is a very tough championship, perhaps the sternest challenge we’ve faced recently, but the team will fight and persist as it always has,” reassures the federation president, Jorge Garbajosa. He acknowledges how demanding it will be to secure a medal and emphasizes the value of having Rudy and Llull in the mix, confident that their presence will be instrumental in the campaign.
Welcome #Family, @Zo_Brown #ModeEurope #Weareateam
– Basketball Spain (@BaloncestoESP) August 2, 2022
“The goal now is to restore the team ethos above all else,” Scariolo stated during the presentation. “This is a new, relatively inexperienced squad, but there is ample will and desire to perform well and, above all, to regain the playing style that has defined us for years. It has been recognized and appreciated by everyone.” The Italian coach stressed the weight of leadership and highlighted the importance of Rudy and Llull in the plans. “They exemplify commitment, dedication, and effort. If brought into decisive moments fresh, they can play pivotal roles,” he explained.
Except for applicants
Spain no longer sits among the favorites in the FIBA rankings and is placed sixth in terms of medal prospects. Luka Doncic’s Slovenia remains a defensive force, while France fields a large NBA-facing roster, and Greece, Serbia, Jokic’s Serbia, and Lithuania pose stiff competition. “There are clear realities and they carry weight,” Scariolo noted. “This could be the year we are least likely to medal, but the objective is to blend in new players. The aim is not to worry about final goals yet, though Berlin and the second round will be tough.” He added that every championship presents its challenges: players depart, either for greener pastures or to higher levels, and the team must keep faith with its DNA. Rudy Fernandez echoed the sentiment, stressing that the core principle remains to leave everything on the floor.
DECLAS @sergioscariolo in his presentation #Family
️ “Currently the goal is to build a team”.#ModeEurope #Weareateam
– Basketball Spain (@BaloncestoESP) August 2, 2022
The announcement about Brown’s nationalization caused some discomfort, but the federation quickly addressed the situation, clarifying the circumstances and emphasizing his readiness to contribute. Rubio and Madrid’s Carlos Alocén were mentioned, along with Sergio Rodriguez after the Tokyo Games. The 1.96-meter guard, age 31, who signed with Maccabi this summer, was supported by the entire organization. Llull added that players who arrive from different birthplaces or backgrounds should not define the team; unity and compatibility are the keys. The coach stressed that the group must harmonize seamlessly.
The Spanish squad is slated to play four friendly matches before EuroBasket. The schedule includes a trip to Athens to face Greece on August 9, with a Madrid meeting against the Greek team on August 11. They will then face Lithuania, with a rematch scheduled for August 16 in Gran Canaria and again two days later in Vilnius. In parallel, two World Cup qualifiers will run: Iceland in Pamplona on August 24 and the Netherlands on August 27. The path toward EuroBasket remains on track, though not yet completely certain.
This Spanish basketball team, the reigning world champion, began a focused training camp in Madrid on a Tuesday as it counted down to a European preparation period scheduled from 1 to 18 September. Its legacy remains striking after two decades filled with titles and achievements that solidified its status among the most storied teams in Spanish sports history. Yet change is visible, and a clear generational shift is emerging in the group’s new, more youthful lineup presented to the public.
Marc Gasol no longer serves as the guiding presence; his absence marks the first time in sixteen years that he isn’t leading the squad. Joining him on the journey are familiar names like Ricky Rubio, the hero of the Beijing 2019 World Cup triumph, who has recovered from an injury, along with veterans like Rudy Navarro, Felipe Reyes, and Victor Claver. Only five champions from the last World Cup remain in contention today.
#Family opens the curtain at EuroBasket in front of media, institutions, and sponsors #ModeEurope #Weareateam
– Basketball Spain (@BaloncestoESP) August 2, 2022
The most significant change is the inclusion of an American guard who recently became a nationalized Spaniard, Lawrence Brown. He forms part of a trend away from the long-standing approach that had not seen Barça players on the original 22-man list since 1971. He joins two young talents—John Nuñez (Real Madrid) and Hector Alderete (Students)—who have already shone by winning the under-20 European championship. This transition embodies the necessary evolution that the team’s leadership must oversee. Sergio Scariolo will head into the European Championship with a squad that will lean on Madrid-based players to anchor its core identity. Rudy Fernandez, now 37, with 233 international appearances, and Sergio Llull, aged 34 with 152 caps, are expected to adapt and preserve the team’s competitive DNA while continuing to reinvent themselves as needed.
maximum demand
“This is a very tough championship, perhaps the sternest challenge we’ve faced recently, but the team will fight and persist as it always has,” reassures the federation president, Jorge Garbajosa. He acknowledges how demanding it will be to secure a medal and emphasizes the value of having Rudy and Llull in the mix, confident that their presence will be instrumental in the campaign.
Welcome #Family, @Zo_Brown #ModeEurope #Weareateam
– Basketball Spain (@BaloncestoESP) August 2, 2022
“The goal now is to restore the team ethos above all else,” Scariolo stated during the presentation. “This is a new, relatively inexperienced squad, but there is ample will and desire to perform well and, above all, to regain the playing style that has defined us for years. It has been recognized and appreciated by everyone.” The Italian coach stressed the weight of leadership and highlighted the importance of Rudy and Llull in the plans. “They exemplify commitment, dedication, and effort. If brought into decisive moments fresh, they can play pivotal roles,” he explained.
Except for applicants
Spain no longer sits among the favorites in the FIBA rankings and is placed sixth in terms of medal prospects. Luka Doncic’s Slovenia remains a defensive force, while France fields a large NBA-facing roster, and Greece, Serbia, Jokic’s Serbia, and Lithuania pose stiff competition. “There are clear realities and they carry weight,” Scariolo noted. “This could be the year we are least likely to medal, but the objective is to blend in new players. The aim is not to worry about final goals yet, though Berlin and the second round will be tough.” He added that every championship presents its challenges: players depart, either for greener pastures or to higher levels, and the team must keep faith with its DNA. Rudy Fernandez echoed the sentiment, stressing that the core principle remains to leave everything on the floor.
DECLAS @sergioscariolo in his presentation #Family
️ “Currently the goal is to build a team”.#ModeEurope #Weareateam
– Basketball Spain (@BaloncestoESP) August 2, 2022
The announcement about Brown’s nationalization caused some discomfort, but the federation quickly addressed the situation, clarifying the circumstances and emphasizing his readiness to contribute. Rubio and Madrid’s Carlos Alocen were mentioned, along with Sergio Rodriguez after the Tokyo Games. The 1.96-meter guard, age 31, who signed with Maccabi this summer, was supported by the entire organization. Llull added that players who arrive from different birthplaces or backgrounds should not define the team; unity and compatibility are the keys. The coach stressed that the group must harmonize seamlessly.
The Spanish squad is slated to play four friendly matches before EuroBasket. The schedule includes a trip to Athens to face Greece on August 9, with a Madrid meeting against the Greek team on August 11. They will then face Lithuania, with a rematch scheduled for August 16 in Gran Canaria and again two days later in Vilnius. In parallel, two World Cup qualifiers will run: Iceland in Pamplona on August 24 and the Netherlands on August 27. The path toward EuroBasket remains on track, though not yet completely certain.