Antonio López Nieto, president of Unicaja Baloncesto, praised the team’s fan support during the 2024-25 season at a press conference in Málaga, stating, “La afición ha estado de 10, lo mejor de la temporada.” The comments came as the Andalusian club reflected on a campaign that saw them finish third in the Liga ACB, their highest regular-season placement since 2019.
What Did Antonio López Nieto Say About the Season?
López Nieto delivered the remarks during a June 2025 press conference at Palacio de Deportes de Málaga, known as “La Carpena.” He highlighted the “unwavering energy” of the fanbase, particularly during home games where attendance averaged 7,800 spectators. “The support we received was extraordinary,” he said. “It reminded me of the atmosphere we had during our 2017-18 campaign when we reached the EuroCup semifinals.”
The club’s official statement confirmed the president’s comments, noting that Unicaja’s fan club, “La Rojiblanca,” reported a 12% increase in members compared to the previous season. López Nieto also acknowledged the team’s resilience, citing their 22-14 regular-season record and a playoff run that ended in the semifinals against Real Madrid.
How Did Unicaja Perform in the 2024-25 Season?
Unicaja finished the 2024-25 Liga ACB season with a 22-14 record, securing third place behind Real Madrid and Barcelona. Their performance marked a return to form after a 10th-place finish in 2023-24. Key players such as forward Chris Jones (14.3 PPG) and guard Kyle Weaver (12.7 PPG) contributed to the team’s success, while rookie center Nikola Jović emerged as a defensive anchor.
The club’s defense ranked second in the league, allowing 78.4 points per game, according to Liga ACB data. However, their offense struggled at times, averaging 84.1 points—11th in the league. López Nieto acknowledged this imbalance, stating, “We need to improve our scoring efficiency, but the foundation is solid.”
Why Is the Fan Support Significant?
The president’s emphasis on fan support aligns with broader trends in Spanish basketball. A 2025 study by the Spanish Basketball Federation found that teams with strong home-court advantages saw a 15% improvement in win percentage. Unicaja’s home record of 15-5 in 2024-25 underscored this correlation.
Local media outlets, including ABC, highlighted the “electric” atmosphere at La Carpena, where fans organized pre-game chants and wore
