Luca Vildoza and his first words as an NBA player: 'It's the ultimate dream'

05/05/2021 17:21

• Clarín.com

• sports

Updated 05/05/2021 17:21

This Wednesday it was confirmed that Luca Vildoza reached an agreement with the New York Knicks and in this way he will become the fifteenth Argentine to play in the NBA, in addition to the third that has been added this season, after the arrival of Facundo Campazzo to Denver Nuggets and most recent Gabriel Deck in Oklahoma City Thunder.

The Mar del Plata contract would be for 4 seasons (including this one) in exchange for $ 13.6 million, but with the last three "not guaranteed."

The option to make the link effective will be the franchise and if they cut it, they will not have to pay the rest of the contract.

Hello everybody.

Today is a very strong day for me, because I have to say goodbye to all the people of Baskonia.

And that is not easy at all.

When I arrived in Vitoria I was a player who simply dreamed of an opportunity.

I did not want more than that (continue ...) pic.twitter.com/XJ41lLvGMj

- Luca Vildoza (@LucaVildoza) May 5, 2021

To do this, the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, the training camp for the next preseason and the Summer League will be taken to evaluate the Argentine base, who in 2020 was champion with Baskonia of the ACB League of Spain and was elected the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the final.

Vildoza expressed his joy on social networks through a Twitter thread in which he said goodbye to the Spanish club and conveyed his emotions for joining the NBA, a stage that he described as "his ultimate dream" as a professional.

"Hello everyone. Today is a very strong day for me, because I have to say goodbye to all the people of Baskonia. And that is not easy. When I arrived in Vitoria I was a player who simply dreamed of an opportunity. I wanted nothing more than that, "Vildoza, 25, began by saying.

And he added: "In this club I have matured, I have grown as a person and as a professional. I received affection and respect from the first day. I went through moments that marked my life. I met incredible people: teammates, close friends, fans ... And when I loved myself give account, Baskonia was already in my heart. "

Then he explained the reasons for his decision to try his luck in the NBA, a highly competitive basketball, to which he will have to adapt and face new challenges.

"Making the decision to leave has not been easy at all. However, I have to take the step.

Being able to play in the NBA for me is the ultimate dream. It

was what I projected when I was a child and played in the bedroom at home with my father. I want and need to realize the utopia. And measure myself, "Luca explained.

Finally, he closed: "Before finishing, I want to thank all the teammates I had in these four years, the coaches, each member of the staff and, above all, the fans, for always being there, for their affection and respect. We will see each other again, of that I am sure. "

Look also

The incredible reaction of an American journalist to Facundo Campazzo's game

The heirs of Manu Ginobili: the rage for Campazzo and why the NBA looks again at Argentine players