San Fernando, Cádiz – The Unicaja Baloncesto cadet boys’ team secured the Andalusia regional title with a commanding performance throughout the championship tournament, capping off a dominant week in southern Spain with a gold medal victory that underscores the club’s continued investment in youth development.
Competing in the Campeonato de Andalucía Cadete Masculino held from May 10–12 at the Pabellón Municipal de Deportes in San Fernando, Unicaja navigated a six-team bracket without dropping a single game, combining disciplined defense with efficient scoring to outlast some of the region’s most respected academy programs. The final, played on Sunday afternoon, saw the Málaga-based side defeat CB Granada by a score of 68–52 to claim the top step of the podium.
“This group bought into the process from day one,” said head coach Juan Manuel Gutiérrez, whose contract with Unicaja’s youth structure runs through 2026. “They trusted the system, defended with purpose and executed when it mattered. Winning here isn’t just about the medal – it’s about proving we can compete with anyone when we play our way.”
The victory adds to Unicaja’s growing reputation as a powerhouse in Spanish youth basketball. Over the past five seasons, the club’s cadet and junior teams have collected multiple Andalusian and national medals, with several players from recent graduating classes now competing in Liga ACB or earning scholarships to U.S. Collegiate programs.
Unicaja’s path to the title began with a 74–41 opening-round win over CD Baloncesto Málaga, followed by a 69–55 quarterfinal triumph against Grupo Turismo Costa del Sol. In the semifinals, they edged out a physical CB Sevilla squad 58–51 before facing Granada in the final, a team that had beaten them twice during the regular season.
“We knew Granada would be tough,” said team captain and starting point guard Álvaro Márquez, a 15-year-old native of Málaga who averaged 12.4 points and 4.8 assists per game during the tournament. “They pressured us hard in the league games, but we adjusted. We slowed the pace, took care of the ball, and made them play half-court defense – which is where we wanted to be.”
Márquez was named to the tournament’s All-Star Five alongside teammate and leading scorer Lucas Romero, who finished with 18 points in the championship game and averaged 16.2 across all four contests. Romero, a 6’3” wing from Antequera, drew praise for his off-ball movement and ability to finish in transition.
Defensively, Unicaja held opponents to an average of 52.3 points per game – the best mark in the tournament – even as forcing 18.5 turnovers per contest. Interior presence came largely from 6’5” center Daniel Ortega, who blocked three shots in the final and grabbed 11 rebounds, showcasing the size and athleticism that have become hallmarks of Unicaja’s youth pipeline.
The triumph in San Fernando also highlights the strength of Andalusia’s grassroots basketball infrastructure. The region, which spans eight provinces and includes major cities like Sevilla, Málaga, and Córdoba, hosts one of Spain’s most competitive youth circuits, with over 200 clubs fielding cadet-level teams annually.
For Unicaja, the win represents more than just hardware. It validates a long-term strategy focused on holistic player development – blending skill work, tactical education, and physical conditioning within a supportive environment that emphasizes accountability and growth over short-term results.
“We don’t measure success only by trophies,” said Francisco Rodríguez, Unicaja’s director of youth basketball. “But when we see teams execute our principles under pressure, stay connected for 40 minutes, and celebrate together after the final buzzer – that’s when we know the culture is taking hold.”
Looking ahead, many of these players are expected to join Unicaja’s junior squad for the 2024–25 season, where they’ll compete in Spain’s Liga Nacional, the top tier of under-18 competition. Several have already been invited to regional training camps with an eye toward future selection for Andalusia’s representative teams in national tournaments.
The cadet team’s success also comes at a time of renewed optimism for Unicaja Baloncesto’s senior program, which recently clinched a playoff spot in Liga ACB and is building toward a deeper run next season. While the pathways from youth to pros remain narrow, stories like this one reinforce the club’s belief in its system.
As the players celebrated on the San Fernando court, medals draped around their necks and flags waving in the stands, the moment felt less like an endpoint and more like a confirmation – that the work being done in Málaga’s gyms and classrooms is laying the foundation for something lasting.
Unicaja’s next youth fixture is scheduled for June 1, when the junior team opens Liga Nacional play against Baloncesto Fuenlabrada in Málaga. Fans and followers can stay updated through the club’s official website and social media channels, where match schedules, roster news, and developmental updates are posted regularly.
For now, the cadet boys can savor this achievement – a gold medal earned not through flash, but through consistency, cohesion, and a shared belief in what’s possible when a group decides to rise together.
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