Lorenzo Brown officially joins the Spanish NT: 'It's the opportunity of a lifetime' / News - Basketnews.com

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During the media day of the Spanish national team, the spotlights were on Lorenzo Brown. His naturalization has become a controversial issue, discussed by media, fans, players and Spanish Federation officials alike.

"For me it is an honor and I am excited to start, I am ready to learn and continue my path here," Brown admitted in English, after starting his speech in Spanish with: "I am happy to be here."

"What has brought me here is an opportunity that has been presented to me and to which I have not been able to say no. So, like I said, being here is the opportunity of a lifetime", the 32-year-old point guard told the media after the team's presentation in Madrid.

His history with the Spanish team began last year, while he was still a UNICS Kazan player, as he confessed.

"I received a call from my agent and I spoke with the coach and I couldn't say no. Looking at this team, seeing players like Pau or Marc (Gasol) play. For me it's an honor and I'm excited to start, I'm ready to learn and continue my path here," he said.

His quick naturalization, almost a month ago, generated controversy in different corners of Spanish basketball. However, Brown came to the fore about that situation.

"I have never liked to get into political things, I don't think it's my subject, I have come here to play basketball," he settled.

Brown defined his arrival in the team as "a wonderful feeling" and praised the two team captains, Rudy Fernandez and Sergio Llull.

"I watched Rudy play in my youth and he is one of my favorite players on this team, he is a great player and meeting him is an honor because he is a good guy off the court as well," he said.

Jorge Garbajosa, president of the FEB, was full of praise for Brown. "He has made an enormous personal effort to be here. Grbajosa pointed out that getting to know the personal side of Lorenzo Brown "has allowed us to meet a close, affectionate, ambitious person with a very special affection for our basketball and our national team."

Asked about Spain's chances in the upcoming EuroBasket, Garbajosa said "there are five world champions, there is a large block of players from the FIBA qualifiers, there are players with injuries who want to be with the national team... I don't know if we will win a medal, but we will come back with our heads held high", the Spanish federation's president concluded.

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