“Welcome Lorenzo Brown”

Lorenzo Brown has been presented in society this Tuesday as a new player of the Spanish basketball team.

The North American guard, nationalized expressly for the Eurobasket that begins in September, was excited: "The opportunity to be part of the Spanish team was a situation that could never have been imagined and that I could not refuse for anything in the world."

Brown has been the center of attention during the presentation of the 22 players who make up the pre-list for the games in August before the Eurobasket begins in Georgia.

Jorge Garbajosa, president of the Federation, has highlighted the personal effort that Brown has made to be in the team and has welcomed him to La Familia: "Welcome Lorenzo".

The player has responded in a somewhat precarious Spanish.

“I am very proud to be here”,

Regarding the criticism, Brown has stated that he has never given them importance and that he comes to the national team to be one more and has been very grateful.

“I am here to learn and grow as a player.

I have not paid attention to criticism at any time, I have only focused on my work.

And I couldn't say no to joining this team, ”said the player, who explained that the negotiations that have led to his nationalization have been going on for months and Scariolo had a fundamental role.

“The talks started last year.

I talked to the coaches and after that I couldn't say no.

It is an honor for me and I am very excited to start”.

Both Rudy Fernández and Sergio Llull have downplayed Brown's situation.

The captain, who had spoken out against the naturalization of the American, since he "has no ties to the country", has qualified his words.

"He is one more and we want him to join as soon as possible," said Rudy, who insisted that it seems unfair to him that players are nationalized instead of trusting those who come to the windows, but in Brown's case it is different.

“I spoke with the Federation and they explained it to me.

He can contribute a lot of things and if he is finally part of the Eurobasket squad, he can help us a lot”.

Llull, who shares a point guard position with Brown, was along the same lines.

“Lorenzo is one more teammate, he is very enthusiastic and eager to help the team and integrate.

Spain will start the Eurobasket on September 1 against Bulgaria, but before that they will have to play six games: four friendlies, two against Antetokoumpo's Greece, on August 9 in Athens and on August 11 in Madrid, and another two preparation games against Lithuania , first in Las Palmas on August 16 and then in Vilnius on 18;

subsequently, the team will play two qualifying matches for the World Cup, on the 24th against Iceland and on the 27th against the Netherlands.

Once their commitments are over, the 12 players remaining on the final list will pack their bags to play the Eurobasket group stage against Bulgaria, Georgia, Belgium, Montenegro and Turkey.

The top four in the group will go on to play in the tournament qualifiers, which will be held in Berlin.

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