Laprovítola returns to Badalona after seven years

Nico Laprovítola is now an official player of Joventut Badalona. The Argentine point guard, born on January 31, 1990, and standing at 1.90 meters tall, returns to the Catalan club after a seven-year absence in an operation that the Penya executives describe as one of their most outstanding in recent history. The agreement reached includes a three-season contract for the experienced guard.

An expected comeback after an initial success

Laprovítola experienced his first stint in Badalona between 2017 and 2019, a period that will be etched in the memory of fans. During the 2018-19 season, the Argentine had one of his best professional campaigns wearing the green and black jersey. In that season, he averaged 17.7 points and 6.4 assists, figures that earned him the title of Best Player of the Liga Endesa, the highest individual honor in Spanish basketball.

His first year in Badalona was also decisive. When the club's sports situation was critical, Laprovítola played a fundamental role in saving the organization. His leadership, competitiveness, and immediate connection with the fans made that initial stage memorable. In total, the Argentine played 55 official games during his first spell at Penya, leaving an indelible mark on the institution.

The journey through Real Madrid and Barcelona

After leaving Badalona, Laprovítola continued his career in the top European competitions. He first joined Real Madrid, one of the powerhouses of the Liga Endesa, and then signed with FC Barcelona in 2021, where he stayed until recently. With the Blaugranas, the Argentine point guard became captain over the last three seasons, accumulating a total of 307 games played in the blue and garnet jersey.

Laprovítola's presence in Barcelona was crucial for the Catalan team. His experience, vision of the game, and leadership skills positioned him as a key piece of the Blaugrana team structure. During the last season in the EuroLeague, the top-level European competition, the Argentine guard averaged 8 points, 1.1 rebounds, and 3.8 assists per game, with a performance rating of 7.2 points in the competition's evaluation system.

An elite profile in European basketball

Laprovítola is considered one of the most decisive point guards in European basketball. His player profile stands out for his exceptional leadership skills, a privileged court vision, and a natural talent for creating advantages both in static plays and transitions. His ability to read defenses, especially in pick-and-roll situations, makes him a specialist in generating opportunities for his teammates.

The Argentine's offensive effectiveness, combined with his directive presence on the court, defines him as a player capable of making a difference in critical moments. He is not only a game creator but also an executor with the ability to take on responsibilities in pressure situations. His competitive character and connection with the fans were precisely the elements that turned his first stint in Badalona into such a special period.

Statistics endorsing his return

During his 2018-19 period in Badalona, Laprovítola averaged 17.1 points, 6.4 assists, and a performance index rating (PIR) of 17.7 points, the most widely used performance index in Spanish basketball. These figures are not coincidental but a reflection of an exceptional season where the Argentine point guard was virtually omnipresent in Penya's sporting decisions.

A reunion with the home

The paths of the club and the player parted ways years ago, but the bond was never completely severed. After going through Real Madrid and Barcelona, gaining experience in the top European competitions, Laprovítola returns to the place where he was happy and where the fans embraced him as their own. This comeback is not just another signing but the closing of a circle that should never have fully opened.

Joventut Badalona has achieved what seemed unlikely just a few months ago: bringing back one of the best point guards in European basketball at his peak form. Laprovítola, at 36 years old, remains a top-level player, capable of competing in the highest categories and making differences in crucial moments.

With this addition, Penya significantly strengthens its point guard position, an area that required an experienced and winning profile. The three-season agreement demonstrates the mutual commitment between the club and the player, who returns to a project that fully trusts in his abilities to compete in the Liga Endesa and European competitions.

This is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Laprovítola regresa a Badalona tras siete años