Enrique Facussé: Basketball, Honduras & New Beginnings

For many, his presence on the court in the National Basketball Tournament It was a real surprise, but for Enrique Facussé The so-called “burst sport” is nothing foreign. After achieving his first title as a basketball player, the player was very happy for having achieved the goal on the team he shares with his brother and was very satisfied with all the support that the tournament had throughout its development.

Along with a football career that has taken him to play abroad and be in demanding goals like that of Motagua and the Honduras national team, Facussé Since he was little he has had a passion for basketball in his veins, something that, although he says he sees it as a “hobby”, has allowed him to have a special connection with his brother, with whom he has reunited after his signing for Jaguarsbeing an important piece in the title recently won by his new team.

Far from the traditional hustle and bustle of the fans and the smell of the green grass, but accompanied by the sound of the soles of the tennis shoes squeaking on the court and the ball constantly bouncing, Facussé He opened up to Diario DIEZ and talked about his future plans in basketball, his excitement about helping the league grow and the possibility of returning to the soccer fields in the coming months.

How is Enrique Facussé feeling after having participated in the National Basketball Tournament?

The elite tournament shows that there is a lot of talent in Honduras, just as we are bringing foreigners to the league. I love basketball, I have always followed it, I have always played it since I was little and it is a pleasure to be here.

What does it mean to you to be one of the images of the league?

I am not the image of the league, but I do do my part to promote it. We have had some conversations to help grow sports in Honduras and one of those is basketball. I have been in this field for many years, since I was little I played basketball and what more than being able to help the professional league and make it grow.

How did the possibility of playing with Jaguares arise?

I have always been a fan of basketball, I have always played. Coach Carlos Santos has been my coach since I was little at school and the most important thing is that I managed to play with my brother again.

What does it mean to be able to play with your brother again?

That’s a dream again. The last time we played together we stopped because I had to go to the United States to continue my soccer career and we couldn’t play again. Playing with him again is a dream come true and there is a dream that I have and I am going to fulfill it and I will tell you about it in a while.

How was the reception from your colleagues? Taking into account that you were goalkeeper for Motagua, the National Team and you played abroad.

They were clearly surprised, but they already know me. You already know that I play, you already know that I like to play, you already know what I can contribute too, I have my little things. We have been training for about two months and at the same time I am preparing to be on my next soccer team.

So the door to football is still open?

For now I am without a contract, I am a free agent, I am waiting for the next opportunity and I took advantage of it to stay in shape and help one of the endeavors I am doing, which is helping the league.

Have you had offers to play in Honduras and abroad?

We are still analyzing offers, we are waiting for new offers too, we are waiting for the best one. I don’t want to go to a place where I can’t grow. I want to grow and I want to continue showing that I can do it. I have just had a very good season in New York, in Westchester, and right now I am waiting to raise my level and hope for the best to return to the national team.

Are you more excited to return abroad or play in Honduras?

We are analyzing the best the best offer. If they see me as a long-term or short-term project. You always want to go back abroad, because that’s where I felt best. I would like to come back here and play, I don’t know which team, but the team that trusts me knows that I have a lot to contribute and I have shown it.

What does it mean to you to be a multifaceted athlete? Since we have seen you as a goalkeeper, basketball player and television presenter.

I can’t stay still. I am a person who has to be on the move, I play any sport. As I told you, basketball for me is one of my favorite sports, but I can do everything, because if Michael Jordan did it, why can’t I do it. One of my dreams is to be able to represent the basketball team and the soccer team, that is one of my dreams, that is what I wanted to tell you. God willing that at some point it will happen, I don’t know if there is a person who has done it, but I want to be the first to play with the Honduran basketball and soccer team. I don’t know if someone has done it or if I’m wrong, well, I would like to know. Maybe it’s a dream that can happen soon.

Which call would you answer first, the H for basketball or the H for football?

I always go with the soccer one. Football is my professional career, this (basketball) is a hobby for me. Basketball is a hobby, it is a long-term project that I am doing to help the league. The truth is that I would like to be part of it to contribute even more to the structure that they (the owners of the league) have been forming. They are doing a spectacular job and I would love to be able to give my grain of sand to help them. We are in talks and I will help you in the best way.

How has the transition been from the goal to the court?

In the middle of a football season, sometimes when you play you need to do other things to take your mind off what you are doing and that for me is basketball, so it is nothing new, this is normal for me, I like it and I do it because I love it.

What sport do you feel is most difficult to practice?

I could tell you that being a goalkeeper.

Do you always prefer to be under the three posts?

Always. I have always liked being a goalkeeper and it will always be my number one. It will always be my number one, but as long as I can play this (basketball) I will always play it.

What position do you have on the court?

Everything but a passer. The basketball is distributed between one, two, three, four, five. I’ll play you two, three, four, five, but I can’t play you one.

By the way, why the number ‘6’ on your jersey?

By LeBron (James). LeBron James is my idol. A curious fact is that we celebrate the same day, December 30, and for me he has been an idol, not for what he does on the field, but for what he does outside, how he takes care of all the people he has promoted with education, which is something that identifies me in how I help the children in my academy, in my entire field. Everything is to help people and to be able to add my grain of sand in everything I can to raise the field of sports in Honduras.

Do you see yourself taking a step beyond Honduras in basketball?

If I am given the opportunity, fine, but as I told you, my priority is football, everything depends on football. I’m going to continue playing football until I die.

How do you see the Honduran basketball league?

There is a lot of potential and that is why I am getting into it. I want to help the league, that’s why I came here. I want everyone to come to support the league, to come see the Coliseum, wherever the games are, be it at the national, regional, international level, to support the team. We call on sponsors to come and support the league, because this league has a lot of potential, there are many good players, there is very good talent, we are bringing good foreigners, the level is very good, entry is free right now so you can come and support and I invite you to come see us play.

How do you see the panorama of this sport in Honduras?

It has a lot of potential. What we want is for people to come and for us to fill the stadium, we want to fill the stadium just like in the National Soccer League of Honduras. All countries have a basketball league, only we do not have one at another level and we are on that path. We are on the path, the structure is well structured, all the members are doing a spectacular job, but we need them to come and support us more. Just as the fans who bring the fans, who come with the drums. That’s what we want. I don’t know if you have seen the games in Serbia, in Serbia there are people supporting, that is what I want in this stadium. I want it to explode and I want it to be full of sponsors supporting the teams.