Meet the senior players (VI): Isaac Valera

"We don't focus on thinking about where we can get to, but on putting in work, effort and attitude"

| Tuesday, 27 March 2018

Isaac Valera (Girona, 1992) started playing basketball at Pare Coll de Girona, the school where he studied. From preschool, he joined CB Sant Narcís, where he went through all the categories until he reached the first team, in the Catalunya Cup. This year is his first season in the EBA League. After studying CAFE (Physical Activity and Sport Sciences) at EUSES, he is now studying for a Master’s degree in secondary and high school teaching in Physical Education at the Isabel I University of Burgos. In the image, at La Devesa in Girona.  

-How has the adaptation to the new category gone?

“It’s a higher category than I played last season, but I was convinced that I could adapt to it if I worked at 200%. Also, I’m lucky to train and play around great players. That always makes you improve individually and you can help the team.”

-How do you think sharing a dressing room with these players and with a coach like Quim Costa has helped you?

“It’s a pleasure to be with them. On the court, they always give you their point of view and you end up thinking, ‘You’re absolutely right!’ So training is a constant learning, not only because of what Quim imparts, but also because of the veterans. Off the court, they always help you if you have a problem and encourage you when you really need it. I’m not exaggerating when I say that we are a family. As for Quim, I thank him for making me understand the values ​​of work, effort, attitude and team, which is the most important thing a player must acquire. This has allowed me to grow individually”.

-In which aspect of the game have you taken a step forward this season?

“Especially in two, which were my Achilles tendon a few seasons ago. One was the defense. I have gone from having it as a weakness to being one of my strengths and with which I try to help the team a lot. It was one of the aspects I definitely wanted to improve in August and, with effort, I have achieved it. The other is shooting. Years ago, I was always looking for penetration and doing some basketball under the basket. I never shot. The Quim’s style of play and the confidence of my teammates have helped me improve.”

-What do you see as essential to polish for the future?

“I would like to work more on my non-skilled hand, to have the same control of the ball with my right as with my left and be just as dangerous. Also, despite having taken a step forward as I told you before, to be more effective in shooting. Improving technique and speed is essential. In fact, many times I have jokingly told my teammates to teach me how to shoot like them.”

-How far do you think the team can go in the remaining days?

“It’s difficult to know because now everyone is going with a knife in their mouth, both above and below. We will continue to work to improve our shortcomings and face each game with the smallest possible weaknesses. Let’s not think about where we can go, but to put in work, effort and attitude. And then we’ll see where we are.”

A place in Girona to get lost in:  The old town, the walls,…

A current basketball player you identify with:  Pierre Oriola.

The last book you read:  “Eleven rings”, from  Phil Jackson.

A hobby : Playing bélit [traditional street game] and going to the movies.

A life motto:  ‘Never give up’. Giving up is never an option.

A sport, aside from basketball:  the skiing

The greatest basketball player in history:  Michael Jordan.

A dream to fulfill:  Form a family and see my children grow up.

A team:  at level amateur , Sant Narcís Basketball Club. At a professional level, FC Barcelona.  

A film:  “An exemplary citizen”.