With the promotion of Bàsquet Girona to the ACB, Marc Gasol was clear that he did not want just any coach to lead his team on its return to the elite. And it is that despite not being the same club as the disappeared Akasvayu, the entire city of Girona feels this Bàsquet Girona is its own. It is the reference of the city in the elite, as was that Akasvayu in which Marc said goodbye to Spain before leaving for the NBA. Gasol, president of the entity, considered several names to lead the team (Pedro Martínez among them) but finally decided on Aíto García Reneses. A legend of the benches.
To speak of Aíto is to speak of one of the best coaches in Spanish basketball, who at 75 years old (turns 76 in December) is still active. After a sabbatical year, not entirely, he has ended up in Girona. This last year he has been doing technical training for the Joventut promises, a couple of days a week, continuing to be linked to elite basketball. His last stage, at ALBA in Berlin, was his first experience outside of Spain. And he was not bad at all.
But Aíto’s career on the bench began much earlier, almost five decades ago, when in 1973 he took over the Catholic Circle of Badalonaalso known as Cotonificio, leading the modest Badalona club to its most glorious years. After that, he trained Joventut in the first stage (83-85) before joining Barça, where between 1985 and 2001 he was coach and general manager of the section. He returned to Joventut (2003-2008) where he won a Cup and also took charge of Unicaja, CB Sevilla, Gran Canaria and ALBA Berlin.. He also coached the National Team in the 2008 Games, signing what was one of the best matches in the history of national team basketball: the final against the United States. And there precisely he coincided with Marc Gasol.
Aíto’s arrival at Bàsquet Girona fits perfectly with the club’s philosophy, of betting largely on very talented young people. He knows plenty about developing that talent and will also have the opportunity to ‘choose’ it: “We are very happy that Aíto joins the project. We want to start working to make the squad”Marc Gasol said when his hiring was made public. And the fact is that the team chaired by the ex-NBA has yet to be put together (Quino Colom and the Pato Garino) so Aíto will have a say in what will be an author team: “After a sabbatical year I decided to accept Girona’s offer. Now I am looking forward to forming the best possible team, working with enthusiasm to improve the players and achieve the best results”, said Aito himself. His arrival on the bench will be accompanied, of course, by a work team. Lubos Burton, with whom he coincided at Penya, will be his second after experience in the youth teams of Barça and the Czech team, as well as being an assistant to the senior team in his country. Albert Sàbat, until this season a club player, has retired and will also join the organization chart as assistant coach.
Aíto’s arrival on the bench could be a claim for many players (Oriola is interested as long as he leaves Barça) who see the option of training under their orders as a good alternative to their future. But not only that, but also for the fans: they have already tripled the number of subscribers and there is a waiting list for new registrations. This Bàsquet Girona aims high.
