Usman Garuba, a forward for the Spain national team, is excited about the chance to get more playing time with his team. During the initial two FIBA Olympic Qualifiers matchups held in Valencia, Spain, Garuba maintained an average of 15 minutes per game, scoring 10.0 points, grabbing 5.0 rebounds, making 2.0 blocks, 1.5 steals, 1.0 assist, and achieving a 13.5 efficiency rating per game. In just 19 minutes, he displayed his superiority against Lebanon by scoring 15 points, grabbing 8 rebounds, blocking 3 shots, and earning a 25 efficiency rating.
Even with his impressive performance, Garuba acknowledges that the gap between European basketball and the NBA is small. Garuba said to BasketNews that there was nothing particularly special. Basketball remains basketball as long as it is played correctly and in the required manner. You have to do basic tasks, and that’s essentially all.
Throughout the 2023-24 NBA season, Garuba played in just six games for the Golden State Warriors, with an average of 3 minutes, 0.5 points, and 1.2 rebounds per game. Nonetheless, he showed a much-improved performance while playing in the G League with the Santa Cruz Warriors. Garuba recorded averages of 13.6 points, 11.0 rebounds, 2.1 assists, and 1.2 blocks per game over 21 games.
Usman Garuba provided the latest on his free agency and its goals 🤞
The Spanish forward also mentioned the NBA team he’d like to play for:https://t.co/HVGQQIwSLz
— BasketNews (@BasketNews_com) July 4, 2024
The Warriors changed Garuba’s contract to a regular NBA deal on April 14, leading to just two outings with Golden State, one being a short 2-minute period during the Play-In game versus the Sacramento Kings.
When questioned about his NBA goals, Garuba stressed, “My main focus is definitely returning to the NBA.” However, ultimately, it is important to evaluate all options and select the most suitable one for yourself. At the moment, I am not concentrating on that. I aim to concentrate on Spain and lead my team to the Olympics.
Garuba’s NBA future is still up in the air, but his drive to find the perfect team is evident. He is currently focusing on his participation with the Spanish national team, with the goal of earning a place in the Olympics and continuing to display his talent on the global platform.
Despite facing difficulties in his NBA career, Garuba’s capability to handle pressure and adjust to various playing styles showcases his promise. Garuba’s commitment to the sport and his team is clear, whether he stays in Europe or successfully rejoins the NBA.
Summarizing, Garuba’s current focus is on his role with Spain, aiming to eventually go back to the NBA. His showing in the FIBA Olympic Qualifiers is evidence of his talents and promise, and supporters are excited for his future in the world of basketball.