Basketball and Alocen. There are names whose mere enumeration suggests an immediate association. Basketball and Alocen. Without further ado, the very young Aragonese base from Scariolo’s Spain, at the gates of the Tokyo Olympics.
The other day I passed two very tall men on the street of Don Jaime. They were heading to the Pilar. The next day they confessed to me that they often go to pray to the Virgin. That day Real Madrid was playing a very important game of the ‘play off’ for the ACB title.
Luis Estiragués and my father?
That is: Luis Estiragués and Alberto Alocén.
They like me a lot. They are always there, they have always supported me.
Both are basketball, basketball of the good, of the real one.
What am I gonna say. I was born with a basketball in my hands.
This is how everything is much simpler …
I have grown up in a very favorable environment. I talk a lot with my father, who is always my role model. Sometimes my mother, Asun, intervenes, and that comes in handy. My father already played in the ACB. My brothers, Alberto (31 years old, engineer) and Pablo (25, studying economics) also played basketball. Pablo even played in the CAI quarry. I remember that as a child I was always with a ball playing at the Compañía de María school.
And the kid who didn’t stop bouncing the ball down Canfranc Street grew up …
Everything has gone very fast. I’m only 20 years old, but everything is happening at incredible speed.
And so much. Nobody remembers the magnificent ‘Generation Z’ anymore …
Pradilla, Jaime Fernández, Krejci, I… I have to thank Casademont for the bet for me. For me and for other young talents. They put me in the first team when I was very young, they gave me continuity.
He signed for Real Madrid before he was 20 years old.
It is another stage that I am facing. I lived very well in Zaragoza with my family. In Madrid I live only in Valdebebas. It has been good for me to become independent. Sometimes my girlfriend, Eugenia, comes from Zaragoza.
Do you learn a lot at Real Madrid?
Very much. You play with first-rate people, with a maximum demand in everything.
At their age, only Ricky Rubio and Luka Doncic had also played 100 games in the ACB …
That figure was achieved a few months ago, this season. Notice that two players have said … It is a very great encouragement.
And now, Sergio Scariolo cites him on the 18-player roster for the Tokyo Games.
It means enormous joy. Being here at the concentration is already a very important step forward.
Knowing him, you do not go there alone to be …
Sure. I want to go to Tokyo. We’re only going to go 12, but I’m going to give it my all to go to the Games.
What did Scariolo tell you?
Since I went to the absolute national team, from the ‘FIBA Windows’, Scariolo always tells me that I have to be myself, that I have to show my qualities as a player.
How about Pau Gasol?
I already played the ‘play off’ for the title against him. He is 41 years old, but contributes a lot. In concentration, it always helps, it always teaches something. You have a huge predisposition for work. He’s been at this for a long time. There is his career in the NBA.
Who has been your roommate?
We continue to take all precautions due to the covid pandemic. We are in single rooms. All measures are extreme. There can be no contagion.
Close your eyes and make three wishes.
Go to Tokyo, play in Tokyo and win a medal in Tokyo.
I would love to go with my friend Estiragués and his father to pray to Our Lady the day that Spain plays something big in Tokyo …
Would be wonderful.
.
