The Puerto Rican base of the Movistar Students of the Endesa League Jose Juan Barea, 36, has put an end to an experience in Spain, the land of his paternal grandparents, feeling “desperate” for the lack of his family, and that is why he has anticipated the end of his link with the Madrid club.
“Tomorrow (Tuesday, May 11) it is officially released. But, yes, I’m going home to see my children. But all is well. We reached an agreement. What was left was a game and we had to wait until the 21st. They delayed it until that date, but I told them that I had to go home to see the children, “said the NBA champion with Dallas in 2011 to the San Juan newspaper El Vocero. The Students are playing the permanence with the Retabet Bilbao in this final stretch of the Endesa League.
Barea, who played for 15 years of his career in the NBAHe had a contract with the Magariños club until the end of this season, but his adventure was reduced to 18 games played over three months.
“The last time I saw my wife and children was in Puerto Rico (during the month of February) in the window for qualifying for the AmeriCup. It has been strong. Not having the children and my wife here has been very difficult and I am already desperate. I can’t take it anymore, “I explain Barea to El Vocero, whose interview was published this Monday.
BareaAccording to the journalistic version, he reached an agreement for his departure from the collegiate team a little before the end of the competition and this Tuesday he will travel to the American city of Dallas, where his wife is waiting for him. Viviana Ortiz, and his sons Jose Juan, Paulina Y Sebastian Jose.
The player played his last meeting with him Movistar Students on Sunday, when his team fell to Monbus Obradoiro 94-83 despite 12 points of Barea.
In what was his last meeting with the Spanish team, he also got six assists and three rebounds.
The player stressed that despite the distance from his family it was a good experience and the doors were left open.
Barea He clarified that, at the moment, he has no offer from another team and that his idea right now is to rest with his family.
The owner plans to return to Europe, in this case to reinforce the national team that is preparing for the play-off for a quota for the Tokyo Olympics to be played in Belgrade from June 29 to July 4 in Belgrade.
Barea later he could play in the Puerto Rican competition, the National Superior Basketball (BSN), although there is no official information about the team in which he would be a member of the military.
“Now I take a ‘break’ and then I think about the next plans,” he indicated, although “El Vocero” points out his possible signing for the Santurce Crabbers of the Puerto Rican league.
Barea completed a few months with the Students with an average of 12.6 points and 4.7 assists in a total of 18 games played.
Barea He assured last January when he arrived in the Spanish capital that his former Slovenian partner Luka doncic He advised him to “dare” to travel to Madrid to play in the Spanish league.
“Since I got here to Students They have treated me spectacularly, I am going to give everything for this team and it is my goal now, to help as much as possible, “said Barea, who did not rule out a return to the NBA if any team is interested in his services.
Barea He also had a sentimental link with Spain, since his family comes from the Leonese town of Ribota de Sajambre, a bond that is “very important” for him and his family, so he will take advantage of this stage to visit the town and obtain a Spanish passport.
The Puerto Rican arrived at the Spanish team last January, months after the Mavericks they will release him before the start of what would have been his 12th season in the NBA.