Lucas Marí returns to Valencia after his time in Vermont

Lucas Marí returns to Valencia Basket to be part of the men's professional team in the upcoming season. The club made the agreement official on Saturday, July 25, closing a chapter of international training that began in 2024 when both parties agreed on his move to the NCAA while retaining the player's rights with the taronja team.

The shooting guard, born in Godella on October 20, 2005, completed the 2025-26 season at the University of Vermont, gaining experience both athletically and academically. During his time in the American university program, Marí played 30 games, averaging 5 points, 4 rebounds, and 1.7 assists in an average of 20 minutes per game. These numbers reflect a progressive development in a demanding competition that has allowed him to mature as a professional player.

A trajectory linked to the club

Lucas Marí's history with Valencia Basket dates back to 2016 when he joined the club's youth categories. His evolution in the taronja academy culminated in a memorable debut in Liga Endesa on November 27, 2022 against Unicaja, where he inscribed his name on the Mur dels Somnis, the wall that honors all the homegrown players who have made it to the professional team. With this debut, Marí followed in the footsteps of his father, José Manuel, who also left his mark on the club's history.

From that first game, the young shooting guard became a regular in the daily work with the professional team, totaling 12 appearances before his departure to the United States. This trajectory demonstrates the trust the club had in him and the importance of his development in Valencia's youth categories.

International experience and projection

Beyond his connection with the taronja club, Lucas Marí has represented Spain in the national team's youth categories. His international resume includes a silver medal in the U17 World Championship in 2022 and another silver medal in the U18M European Championship in 2023, showcasing his competitive level to perform in elite teams.

These achievements with the Spanish national team complement his growth as a player and reinforce his position as one of Spain's emerging basketball talents. His time at Vermont has helped solidify these skills in a globally recognized university league where competitiveness and technical level are very high.

New challenges under Xavi Albert's guidance

Lucas Marí's return comes at a time of renewal for Valencia Basket. The club faces a new season under the leadership of Xavi Albert, with a completely revamped team aiming to maintain competitiveness in national and international competitions. The addition of the taronja shooting guard is part of this reinforcement strategy, combining the experience of veteran players with the potential of young talents developed in the academy.

Standing at 1.97 meters tall, Lucas Marí brings versatility on the perimeter and a mindset shaped both in the youth system and the American college competition. His familiarity with Valencia's project and the club's structure facilitates a quick integration into Albert's team.

Consolidation of the taronja project

The return operation of Lucas Marí exemplifies Valencia Basket's commitment to developing local talent without renouncing the possibility of having their players gain valuable experience in prestigious international competitions. This model enabled the club to retain rights over the player while he acquired significant experience in the NCAA, one of the world's most competitive college leagues.

The shooting guard returns to a Valencia team that remains a benchmark in Spanish and European basketball, ready to contribute to Xavi Albert's project with the maturity gained in the U.S. and the experience accumulated in his previous journey with the taronja senior team.

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