ALBA sports director clarifies EuroLeague license issue, looks back at dismal season / News - Basketnews.com

Himar Ojeda, ALBA Berlin's sports director, addresses the team's poor EuroLeague performances, names his own mistakes in the process, and weighs in on Israel Gonzalez's future. The Spanish executive also names the club's goals in the summer market and explains why ALBA are still to obtain a permanent license.

Credit: Andreas Gora/dpa; IMAGO/Eibner Credit Andreas Gora/dpa; IMAGO/Eibner

EuroLeague Round 32 was quite painful for Himar Ojeda andALBA Berlin. The Spanish sports director stood on the sidelines, watching his team getting hammered (103-68) by Fenerbahce Beko in Istanbul, asNigel Hayes-Davis scored 50 points.

3-pointers this season

35%8,9Points made:8,9Accuracy:35,1%Place in standings:12Record max:13Record min:3Most made 3FGs:Matt ThomasTeamEuroLeagueStatisticsSchedule

The historic feat that rendered the American forward the competition's top scorer on a single night was witnessed with mixed emotions by Ojeda, who found himself in a peculiar situation.

In his professional capacity as an executive, he would do anything to prevent another blowout loss. As a basketball fan, he had no choice but to accept reality and watch Hayes-Davis enter the history books at ALBA's expense.

"It's true that in the last few minutes, everyone at Fenerbahce tried to set him up," Ojeda toldBasketNews.

ALBA Berlin have been a consistent member of the EuroLeague since the 2019-20 season but haven't made the playoffs during that span. This season, the German side found itself at the bottom of the standings with a dismal 5-29 record, raising the question:

Do they truly belong among Europe's elite competition?

Currently, 12 out of the 18 EuroLeague spots are held by clubs that possess a long-term license and are members of the Shareholders Executive Board. The remaining spots are occupied by wild-card holders and the previous season's EuroCup winner.

This season, the non-licensed clubs are Serbian outfits Partizan and Crvena Zvezda, AS Monaco, Virtus Bologna, Valencia Basket, and ALBA who have been in the process of obtaining a permanent license.

According to Ojeda, the sports aspect is important in how the EuroLeague intends to distribute the permanent licenses.

"We're waiting

Sign up for our premium membership and access exclusive content Subscribe Not ready to subscribe yet? Unlock this page for only 1€ Unlock (1€)