Facundo Campazzo ´s exit from Real Madrid is official. The NBA player market has given us multiple surprises, but the Argentinian´s newcomer to the NBA deserves its own attention. Playing in the best basketball league of the world for the first time makes it worth it. The destination for the Argentinian point guard will be the Denver Nuggets, a franchise that made it all the way to the West Conference Finals after coming back against the Utah Jazz and the LA Clippers (both in game 7). This achievement was thanks to the addition by key players like Jamal Murray and Nikola Jokić.
Nothing to reproach him at Madrid:
The Argentinian arrived to Real Madrid in 2014, but he played for UCAM Murcia on a loan for two seasons. He was chosen as the fourth best point guard from the league in his first year in Murcia. He led UCAM to the Playoffs, but they fell to Real Madrid in the first round. He played the Eurocup during his second year, a tournament where Murcia made their debut. They were knocked out in the second phase, but “Facu” was picked in the second All-Liga Endesa Team.
He returned to Real Madrid in 2017 after making himself a name in Murcia. His role in the team was so important that he became the starting point guard. He won the Euroliga in 2018, the league and the Supercup. He also won the league and the Supercup next season; he also lifted the Spanish Cup a year later. Not a bad run.
2019 World Cup: the world meets Campazzo:
It was during the 2019 World Cup held in china that Facundo Campazzo was introduced worldwide. The Argentinian National Team made it to the final beating big rivals like Serbia or France, but Spain ended up conquering the title in a very exciting game that finished 9575. Campazzo assured in an interview to NBA.com that that World Cup was his presentation card to the world, but due to the fact that there was not any real interest from any NBA team, he decided to extend his contract with Real Madrid.
The challenge of playing in the best league of the world:
Facundo Campazzo has become the 13th Argentinian player to be in the NBA. Other countrymen that stood out were Manu Ginóbili, Luis Scola or Pablo Prigioni. Moreover, Leandro Bolmaro was drafted by the Minnesota Timberwolves this season, but his arrival to the league will be delayed.
Campazzo has a huge challenge ahead of him: to shine at the NBA. Not all players are able to perform their best in this league. We have already witnessed other “failures” in the NBA like Chacho Rodríguez or Álex Abrines´cases. “Facu” is a brave man who prefers to not regret to have not given it a try to the best league in the world. “I did not want to retire and think that I did not try it”, said in an interview to NBA.com Global.
“I did not want to retire and think that I did not try it”
Now he knows that his role on the team will be coming in from the bench, as Jamal Murray is the potential starter, a well-deserved spot for the Canadian, as he has been one of the best players at the bubble. Despite his height, Campazzo is a very intelligent player who knows hoe to read the opponent´s plays and very good at stealing. Deep shots are his strength and looking for the best possible shooter as well.
When will Campazzo make his debut?
The Argentinian point guard is expected to make his debut in preseason, which starts on December 11th. However, the Denver Nuggets will play their first game on December 12th against Curry´s Golden State Warriors. Their next preseason game is against the Portland Trail Blazers on December 16th.
Translated by Guillermo Bermejo.
