He retired from professional basketball at the age of 31 when his head said enough was enough. Álex Abrines left the basket last summer and has barely dribbled a ball again. Behind him was a successful career in which he won three Leagues and three Cups with Barcelona and a European bronze and another Olympic bronze with the national team, in addition to the experience of playing three seasons in the NBA with Oklahoma. Also the test of overcoming a depression that led him to hate what he had loved so much. Today, at 32 years old, who was a forward with an excellent shot is a father who takes his girls to school and spends his free time playing golf.
Ask. What is your life like now?
Answer. I live a normal life as a father with my two daughters, ages five and three. A bit of a retiree, in quotes. I enjoy what I couldn’t enjoy before. I have free time for myself and I have taken up golf, like many basketball people. I like to spend four or five hours in nature, without thinking about anything. Every day is different and every time you hit the ball it is a new challenge. I was one of those who said it was boring and I was hooked.
P. And stay linked to basketball?
R. At the moment, no. At a professional level I don’t see myself, neither a coach nor an assistant. I may pick up some children’s equipment in the future, but nothing serious. I miss my teammates, the times we spent together on trips, but I don’t miss basketball itself. I enjoyed it for 15 years, the time came to close the stage and I would not back out.
P. Why did you retire at 31 years old?
R. It was a couple of months of doubts. The idea was running through my head and I felt that it was my time, that I didn’t see myself playing much more. I could have forced it, but I thought that in the middle of the season I could feel that I was in a place where I didn’t want to be and I had to endure six months like this, immersed in a routine as a player that I didn’t want. I listened to my head and my heart, and no regrets.
P. Had I lost enthusiasm and motivation?
R. Yes. I have always been excited to win titles and compete, but the last few years, as captain of Barça, have not gone well sportingly speaking and that influenced my decision. He was young, yes, but he didn’t feel the need to continue living the same life. Luckily, I won titles with Barça and played in the NBA and the national team. My dream was fulfilled. There was no need to force anything else. I was mentally prepared for the retreat.
P. “I came to hate you. I couldn’t even see you. You scared me. I just wanted to run away from you.” This is what he said to the basketball when he suffered from depression. How do you remember it?
R. It was a screwed up stage. And also learning. Going through that moment made me enjoy the six years I later spent at Barcelona more and see everything with more perspective. It’s not all basketball, winning or losing. I’m glad I was able to learn and enjoy sports like when I was little, when it’s a game with friends and you have a good time. Those who do not live it cannot understand it. Basketball is something fun, but being a professional it was my job, not a hobby, and I ended up hating my job as anyone can. I was stuck in a routine, bad days were chained together… we all went through something similar, more or less serious or bearable. I was tired of my job, I didn’t want to be there. I didn’t treat it in time and it became a ball. I got blocked. I never imagined I could hate the basketball. I had been playing since I was five years old and it was difficult for me to accept it.
P. Did you think you would never play again?
R. Yes. At that moment I had closed the doors to continue playing basketball, but thanks to my family and my people it was left a little open. I came back and enjoyed it again.
P. How do you feel seeing Ricky Rubio play again?
R. I love seeing him happy. I was one of the first to know what was happening to him when he was in the national team, because of what I had experienced too. He’s enjoying it like I did when I came back. When he returned to Barça he was not prepared for what was happening at that time, it affected him and he relapsed into illness. Now I am happy to see him enjoying himself in La Penya, his home.
P. Is the elite tougher than it seems?
R. Obviously. Getting there is difficult, but staying at the top is much more. People see how beautiful it is, that we do what we like, we earn money and we have fansbut we gave up part of our adolescence, the young, university stage. I was talking about it with Víctor Sada, we spent 180 days a year away from home. Those are things that are not seen. It is time that you are away from your family. And the elite athlete is not unbreakable, we are normal people with a gift for doing something we are good at. Being famous, we are much more exposed to society in general, and if you are not prepared to listen depending on what things, that affects you.
P. What do you think of the conflict between Euroleague and NBA?
R. The arrival of the NBA is going to be difficult because in Europe there is a very established system and the way of seeing the sport is different. In the United States it is a money-making machine and here there is a fan base, a tradition. And the culture of the follower is different. I was there three years and during the regular phase it almost didn’t matter if we lost; People go to the show, to have a good time.
P. Barça has recovered with Xavi Pascual. If you don’t defend, don’t you play?
R. That is the basis of his style. In its first stage there were games that only scored 60 points. Today basketball has evolved, it is more scoring and has much more rhythm, but even so the points conceded have dropped from 90 to 70 with the same team. It is his philosophy, he prepares the matches very well and knows how to adapt to the opponent even in the middle of the match. He proposes a plan and, if it doesn’t go well, he adjusts it. That’s why he is one of the best coaches in Europe.
P. Now what do you think when you see a ball?
R. Well, the truth is, I have touched the ball twice since I retired, and once was on campus. I simply don’t feel attracted to playing again, I don’t have that itch to feel like a basketball player. It’s over. I fulfilled my dream and I am happy.
