Alberto Diaz reflects on life-changing EuroBasket, future with Unicaja Malaga / News - Basketnews.com

Alberto Diaz discusses with BasketNews the way his life changed after the gold medal with Spain at the 2022 EuroBasket, the players he looks up to defensive-wise, and his ambitions with or without Unicaja Malaga.

Credit: FIBA Credit FIBA

In a recent survey carried out among BCL general managers, Unicaja Malaga's Alberto Diaz topped the Best Defender category taking 23% of the votes.

To say Diaz is a pest constitutes a big understatement. For those unfamiliar with his abilities on the rear end of the court, last year's EuroBasket will always serve as the best reply.

What he did in the EuroBasket has made people open their eyes and come to terms with the undeniable reality that basketball isn't only about highlights but rather about efficiency.

The player whom his ex-coach Fotis Katsikaris has called "Europe's best perimeter defender" had to get a second call-up from Sergio Scariolo to make the squad that ended up winning the trophy in Berlin, just because Sergio Llull was the first choice.

But things turned out for the best for Spain and Diaz, who has relished unprecedented fame, popularity, and exposure ever since. To some extent, the Spanish guard saw his entire life change after the EuroBasket, where he emerged as the tournament's ultimate defensive stopper.

"Well, from a media standpoint, my life has changed quite a lot," Diaz admits to BasketNews.

"I have a lot more impact on the media and on social networks. But the truth is that life goes on the same. I continue to work for my team and to help it. It's been a boom on the media, but I'm still at home, doing my job. Life goes on," he calmly goes on to say.

Diaz, 28, concedes that handling media attention and his sudden rise in popularity wasdifficult at first.

"You used to be calm in some kind of normality, and then, you get asked to do more interviews, more appearances, and receive more awards," he reflects.

Diaz points out that living in his hometown of Malaga and having his entourage nearby have kept him grounded.

"I'm lucky to be at home. I'm from Malaga, I have my parents, my family, my friends, and my girlfriend. The moment they realize I'm getting too ahead of myself, they put my feet on the ground."

Since he was born in Malaga, Diaz took the first steps in his career as a professional basketball player in the lower categories of his city's team. It was not until 2012 that he made his debut with the first team.

In the middle of the following campaign, Unicaja decided to loan him out to Bilbao Basket and, a year later, to Fuenlabrada. Since the 2015-16 season, Alberto became part of Unicaja's first team, and his career began to take off.

For many people outside of Spain, the period between Diaz's EuroCup title with Unicaja (2017), combined with a Finals MVP award for him, and the gold medal at the EuroBasket, is lesser known. During those years, it looked like the red-haired guard was away from the spotlights.

Unicaja were overshadowed by other teams of the mid-tier level, like Lenovo Tenerife, and a player whose main feature is to make a good team even better can hardly get any recognition.

"I know my role," Diaz says.

"We won the EuroCup, and I was the MVP, but one has to know his strengths and limitations. My role in the following teams was different. It was more of a defensive role, and I had to adjust to it so the team could win games. I don't mind being behind the spotlight to help my team."

However, getting the acclaim he had never pursued can push the talented guard forward. If there is something that has accompanied Diaz throughout his career, it has been his humility, his team spirit, and his competitive pride.

Following the EuroCup title and the subsequent participation in the EuroLeague, Unicaja haven't lived up to expectations. The odds were definitely against them every time they went up against Real Madrid or Barcelona, but there was plenty of room for them to make a splash in European competitions.

Securing the home-court advantage for the BCL playoffs is important, but winning a title is off the charts.

The 2023 Copa Del Rey champions had to knock down both Spanish powerhouses on their way to the trophy in Badalona in an achievement Diaz calls as important as winning the EuroCup.

"Winning a title with your team, not being on one of the big clubs, makes it even more special. It has an extra value. Beating Real Madrid, Barcelona, and Tenerife have been a historic feat and one of my greatest experiences."

Diaz is hopeful that what his team did in Badalona wasn't a one-night wonder.

"We know we are not the favorite. The beauty of the Cup is that anyone can make an upset. We did it, but that doesn't take anything away from the importance of the title we won," he comments.

However, the Spanish Cup was only the icing on the cake. Unicaja are currently placed 5th in the ACB, having the same record (16-9) as EuroCup side Joventut Badalona. Another BCL club, Lenovo Tenerife, is 4th. Three EuroLeague teams (Real, Barca, and Baskonia) occupy the top spots.

"We are having a very good season collectively and personally. Why not continue in this line and achieve more?" Diaz wonders.

After a season that can easily be described asdisappointing, the group coached by Ibon Navarro presents a 10-2 record in the BCL.

"We have different players, who came knowing how bad we did last season and with the ambition to turn the situation around," Diaz acknowledges.

The Spanish international adds that the current team is different than Joan Plaza's EuroCup-winning squad.

"Then we had much more offensive talent, now we have more hardness defensively and more muscle at the back. This team is fighting on defense, it's tougher and always trying to run the court. This is something we are doing very well."

Credit FIBA Media

As Unicaja and Tenerife are slated as two of the favorites to win the BCL, Diaz has no doubt that the FIBA competition is the second-best in Europe.

"At the beginning, there was a bit of controversy, but it's a great competition that has grown a lot. It may become Europe's top competition in the future. It will continue to grow," he thinks.

"It is stronger than the EuroCup because there are very competitive teams in there, and any team can advance in or stay out. They've taken huge steps. I see that the level of the players, the competition, and the teams is growing," Diaz argues.

This season, Alberto became the team's captain, a recognition of the commitment level and devotion he has always brought to his hometown club. On March 19, he surpassed Carlos Cabezas as Unicaja Malaga's third-highest assist-maker in the ACB.

With 639 dimes in almost 250 games played, he now has to overtake Nacho Rodriguez's 796 and Berni Rodríguez's 964. Alberto Díaz already has a new challenge, especially with himself being atthe center of attention.

Credit FIBA Media

"This is an extra motivation because we have created expectations, and we have to live up to them. Before, I used to be in a protected environment, and now you have to prove that it wasn't a coincidence. It is true that there's more pressure, but it is one that every player wants.

The day Alberto turned 18, on April 23, 2012, Luis Casimiro asked him to practice with the first team. Unicaja were going through a very shaky period, and Casimiro was facing the challenge of leading the team to the ACB playoffs so that they could also maintain their EuroLeague spot.

Looking back, the former Unicaja Malaga play-caller remembers Diaz's defensive and passing skills singled him out from players his age.

"He was thinking more about defending and passing the ball than scoring or shooting. There were enough shooters and scorers on the team. That's why he managed to bring some kind of balance. He defended very hard, he had a big heart, and finished the season playing in the first team," Casimiro recalled talking to BasketNews last September.

Credit Juan Navarro/Euroleague Basketball via Getty Images

"I am the spearhead, the first one who has to show the team the desire to defend," Diaz describes his role.

"The point guard shows the energy of the team, and I think my role is to transmit that passion to the rest," he maintains.

Diaz points out that he keeps an eye on players who are good defenders and what they are doing on the court.

"In the NBA, it's Marcus Smart. In the EuroLeague, Branko Lazic, Adam Hanga, and Jeffery Taylor. They are players who are always on winning teams and are also referents," he mentions.

Of course, the main difference with the players mentioned above is that Diaz's work with Unicaja gets significantly less attention. But that doesn't prevent him from giving his best shot.

"You have to sacrifice yourself, knowing that you are not going to have media and social prominence. Still, I feel like I have to do whatever it takes to contribute my grain of sand to the team."

Although Diaz is one of the great stars of Unicaja, the club hasn't yet reached an agreement to extend his contract that expires in 2024.

It seems that there are certain financial problems complicating the case. The taxation on the contracts of non-Spanish players will be up by 21% for Unicaja, which can fully affect their accounts, forcing a sale.

Coach Ibon Navarro and starting point guard Kendrick Perry have already extended, but anything can happen as long as Diaz draws attention from the top level.

"I'm from Malaga, and leaving my mark on the team long-term would be nice," he says.

Credit FIBA Media

"But you never know what the future holds. Right now, I'm in the BCL. If the timing is right and the opportunity presents itself, I would always like to play in the EuroLeague, in the NBA, and in any top competition," the EuroBasket champion stresses.

As Spanish clubs are after domestic players who can serve as complementary pieces, Diaz would inevitably look as an ideal choice in a backcourt comprising offensive-oriented guards.

The local press has mentioned Real Madrid's interest, but Diaz says no offer has been made so far.

"At the moment, I have nothing. These are things that the press is talking about. Since nothing has reached me, it's just rumors."

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