Izan Almansa: From European Courts’ Glory to the NBA Spotlight
Through his comeback and comments about his experience from the NBA Draft Combine, here is Izan Almansa, Spain’s big NBA prospect, sharing his thoughts about joining the NBA draft and night.
NBA Draft Combine is an event that is held in Chicago for a week during which the most prominent young prospects from all across the globe are put through a series of physical and medical tests as well as have all the games that would serve as the prerequisite for the draft.
There is nothing as rewarding like attending the Combine as a College student with dreams of being drafted into the League. In Wintrust Arena Chicago, dozens of GMs, reps, scouts, and sponsors are brought to see the new generation of players planning to make their way into the NBA.
De España al #NBACombine de Chicago 🇪🇸
Así fueron las pruebas de Izán Almansa a días del #NBADraft 🏀 pic.twitter.com/WTGszA0QMl
— NBA Latam (@NBALatam) May 16, 2024
“The physical test sounds interesting. But what I liked was the rest of the process, the movements (hopping, speed, changing direction) and matches- I think this is the best test, ” told Spanish news agency EFE after undertaking a rather long series of exams, Izan Almansa, 18.
🇪🇸 Medidas oficiales de Izan Almansa en el Draft Combine:
📏 Altura: 2,06 metros (sin zapatos)
🫲🏼🫱🏼Envergadura: 2,16 metros
⚖️ Peso: 99,6 kilogramos¿Qué os parecen? pic.twitter.com/lB63r4JNlv
— Draft Lab (@DraftLabNBA) May 13, 2024
From the farm title to the united. Izan Almansa, the MVP of the U18 Euro Baskez and the U19 World Cup with Spain, might be the firstly one to transfer from his region to the elite of the NBA. Upon successfully participating in the Real Madrid youth academy, he decided to follow his growing passion for the sport by going to the ‘Overtime’ academy in Atlanta and then competing in the G-League.
Watching France vs Spain at the U19 World Cup. Future @PerthWildcats Alexandre Sarr matching up on MVP of the U17 WC and U18 Euro’s Izan Almansa.#NBL #NBL24 #RedArmy https://t.co/0nboMsMYPN
— Jackson MacDonald (@JMacDonald91) June 25, 2023
“I was a skinny prince at 16 years old, that means I have to gain 20 kilos,” the 2. It’s 8 a.m. Poof goes the power forward, he said.
Izan Almansa is for this year’s draft the Prodigal son of Spain, together with the expelled Nunez, who, despite being invited, could not go to Chicago because he would go to Europe for tests after finishing his engagement with Ratiopharm Ulm.
“The NBA makes us feel very excited, and it’s what the whole family likes to watch. I’m looking forward to getting into it,” Almansa replied with a smile.
While he is young yet, the Ibags have endless to remember and he adores American basketball which he says in the show.
“In the USA it is more show business driven, it’s like ‘everybody is here, why aren’t you here?’ the fans don’t support the team as in Spain, rather they are to have fun. This is a gist of the player.”
🇪🇸 Uno de los únicos vídeos que hemos encontrado de Izan Almansa en el Draft Combine.
El español cierra este circuito de tiro con un 3/11 triples.
— Draft Lab (@DraftLabNBA) May 14, 2024
All in all, 78 players on the list were chosen. 195 are included in the pre-registration draft list. All of them will have their careers coming to the defining moment, with just over a month ahead of the draft that is set for June 26 and 27 in New York.
The NBA announced today that 78 players have been invited to the 2024 NBA Draft Combine, which will take place from May 12-19 at Wintrust Arena and the Marriott Marquis in Chicago.
Additionally, a select number of standout players from the 2024 NBA G League Elite Camp, which… pic.twitter.com/M8FUY529ul
— NBA Communications (@NBAPR) May 3, 2024