Miguel Ángel Forniés Brings Four Decades of Basketball Photography to Ceuta
Four decades of professional basketball photography arrived at the Biblioteca Pública Adolfo Suárez in Ceuta this week, as Spanish photojournalist Miguel Ángel Forniés launched a retrospective exhibition detailing his extensive career covering the sport from local courts to the NBA. Organized in collaboration with the Federación de Baloncesto de Ceuta, the exhibition runs from October 2 to October 8, offering visitors an intimate look at the evolution of basketball through the lens of a photographer who documented its most iconic eras.
The exhibition opens alongside a public presentation and talk delivered by Forniés on October 2 at 18:00 local venue time, where he detailed his transition from working as a press officer for Joventut de Badalona to capturing global superstars in the United States. The retrospective bridges the gap between grassroots basketball and the pinnacle of professional competition, featuring images from World Cups, Olympic Games, and the National Basketball Association.
Exhibition Details and Origins in Ceuta
The cultural initiative reached Ceuta largely through personal connections, as Forniés reunited with Antonio Ruiz—a friend he has known since adolescence—who subsequently connected the photographer with local sports organizers. Jorge Molinary, president of the Federación de Baloncesto de Ceuta, officially introduced Forniés during the opening presentation to an audience of local basketball enthusiasts. Molinary highlighted the profound historical value of the collection, drawing special attention to a unique photograph featuring actor Robert De Niro wearing a Joventut jersey during an era when the club featured distinctive sponsorship branding.
Spanning over 40 years of work, the collection at the Adolfo Suárez library does not solely focus on elite competition. While the display prominently features historic moments from the Liga ACB and international tournaments, it also encompasses youth categories, women’s basketball, and grassroots minibasket games. Forniés noted that his professional philosophy centers on finding joy in capturing any expression of the sport, regardless of the competitive tier. His familial connection to the sport also extends to photographing his 25-year-old nephew, currently playing in Ibiza in Segunda Federación, beginning from his earliest days in a basketball school.
Forné Captures Michael Jordan and Other NBA Icons
Among the most prominent historical milestones featured in the collection are Forniés’ early encounters with American professional basketball during the 1980s. As the first Spanish photojournalist to cover the NBA, he captured key moments such as the November 9, 1984, matchup between Larry Bird of the Boston Celtics and Julius Erving of the Philadelphia 76ers, alongside Michael Jordan's rookie season in New York.
Reflecting on his interactions with the Chicago Bulls guard, Forniés shared anecdotes emphasizing Jordan’s approachable demeanor behind the global superstar persona. During an interview in Barcelona in 1990—when Jordan visited with the ACB—Forniés spent three days documenting the player. He recalled that despite brief professional encounters, Jordan consistently displayed courtesy toward media members, shaking hands and offering polite thanks in English before winning a championship ring.
Memories of Joventut, Villacampa, and Norris
Alongside his international assignments, a significant portion of the exhibition honors Forniés’ deep roots with Joventut de Badalona. Over a 19-year association with the club working primarily in communications, he balanced media duties with traveling to capture European fixtures and Copa del Rey tournaments whenever possible.
Among the images closest to his heart is a locker room photograph taken after the 1981 Korac Cup match against Venice at the Palau Blaugrana. That specific frame captures a 17-year-old Jordi Villacampa making his debut alongside Joe Galvin, Manel Comas, Alex Skinner, and Santillana. Forniés also frequently highlights American Audie Norris—affectionately known as “Atomic Dog”—as the player he most enjoyed photographing, preserving numerous signed prints from an era that cemented his dual passion for travel and sports photography.
The Evolution of Modern Basketball
The sport's global reach has evolved significantly over the decades, a transformation also reflected in the sport's highest tier. Today, the NBA witnesses the ascent of franchises like the New York Knicks alongside legendary modern figures such as Nikola Jokic, LeBron James, and Stephen Curry, following the era defined by icons like Larry Bird, Michael Jordan, and Kobe Bryant.
