14-point debut for Barea in the Spanish ACB League

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Puerto Rican point guard José Juan Barea made a 14-point debut in the Liga Endesa (ACB) of Spain in the loss of Estudiantes Movistar 79-73 against Casademont Zaragoza.

It was the 36-year-old pointguard’s first game since he last played in the NBA for the Dallas Mavericks at the Walt Disney Word bubble in Orlando, Florida, last August. The Puerto Rican was released last December after 14 seasons in the league, 11 of them with the Mavericks.

In the Spanish game, Bara started as a starter and played 24:09 minutes, adding three assists and a rebound. He made five baskets in 17 tries. Two of these were triples. He made his two free throws chances. Ten of his 14 goals were in the first half.

José Juan Barea handles the ball against Zaragoza.
José Juan Barea handles the ball against Zaragoza. (EFE agency)

It was the first game for Estudiantes in 36 days due to several games being postponed due to a COVID-19 breakout in the quintet. Some members are still quarantined.

“An interesting first game for me. I learned a lot today. I hadn’t played basketball in a long time and felt a little weird mentally. But I am very happy with my team, with the boys and the leaders ”, Barea expressed at a press conference.

“We are in a difficult situation, without much time to play. Many players came from COVID, but were very happy to be here. I know we are going to improve and we want to play better. We’re going to work on that, ”he added.

Manager Javier Zamora agreed with the words of his new apprentice and regretted joining the team amid the complications of the whole disease.

‘He explained it well. He has mixed feelings for bringing us that freshness, that clean head, as very few players were safe from this (the breakout), which coincided with his arrival. It gives us charisma, competitiveness and leadership. If I find the rhythm and feel the sensations, it can help us a lot ”, to express.

Aleksa Avramović was the top scorer for Estudiantes with 20 points on the backhand. The American Dylan Ennis led Zaragoza with 22 units.

Students now play for 5-12, number 16 in the ranking of 19 quintets. Zaragoza in box number 12. The next match will be on Sunday against Real Madrid, leaders of the league (19-1).

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