Meet the senior (IX) players: Raphael Dos Santos

"For a new team to get as far as we have is not easy and has a lot of merit"

| Wednesday, 18 April 2018

Raphael Dos Santos (Uberaba, state of Minas Gerais, Brazil, 1991) arrived in our country at the age of 15. From a very young age, he had always played football, but decided to start playing basketball at 18 after a growth spurt. With perseverance, he has been polishing his skills and this year he arrived at Básquet Girona, after two seasons at CB Onyar (Catalunya Cup) and two more at CB Quart (EBA). Currently, he combines basketball with his job as a security guard. In the image, on the basketball court located right next to the Pla de Palau Civic Center.

-How did you get interested in Basketball Girona and why did you accept?

“The interest in living a new experience, meeting new players and trying to help them and learn from them. That’s why I accepted the commitment to play a year with Basketball Girona. It’s very rewarding and I’m thankful to be able to live this experience. Despite being my third year in this category, I had never had the technical support that is offered here. You have to take advantage and try to absorb everything because opportunities like these, there are there are many. So enjoy it while you can and try to get as far as possible.”

-How are you doing in the team?

“Very good. Starting a team from scratch is not easy, but we have adapted quickly and we are a pineapple. We always try to help each other, both on and off the court. And this is one of the factors that, although some lost games in the second round, it has allowed us to have a chance to qualify for the promotion phase in LEB Plata until last week. For a brand new team, getting to where we are is not easy and has a lot of merit”.

-What was the most difficult for you to adapt to Quim Costa’s style of play?

“Quim’s fast game and defensive intensity are aspects I wasn’t used to. But, with Milo [Nunes]’s complementary training and Moncanut’s advice, I’m trying to fit into this style of play. It’s a style I like, but I still have a lot to polish and learn.”

-How have you improved this season compared to others?

“I’ve always been a very physical player; it’s one of my best qualities. But with the training of Jorge [Abruñedo, physical trainer], I’ve been able to increase that factor a bit more. And defensively and thanks to Quim’s advice, I notice changes in this aspect compared to previous seasons”.

-What do you expect from these last two days?

“Simply enjoy them and play to the maximum to continue living this experience with this great team until the end.”

A place in Girona to get lost in:  The old part

A current basketball player you identify with:  Vince Carter

The last book you read:  “The Human Animal,” by Desmond Morris.

One  hobbies :  Cinema and being with family and friends.

A life motto:  Never give up on your dreams; everything comes when it’s time.

A sport, aside from basketball:  Jiu Jitsu, a Brazilian martial art.

The greatest basketball player in history:  I’ve seen LeBron James and Kobe Bryant, but I haven’t been able to enjoy the best, Michael Jordan.

A dream to fulfill:  Forming my own family and being able to continue doing what I love most.

A team:  FC Barcelona and Flamengo.

A film:  “The Gladiator”.