Real Madrid signs Shulga for two years

Real Madrid has officially announced the arrival of Max Shulga, a Ukrainian point guard born in 2002 and standing at 1.93 meters, for the next two seasons. The announcement came on Friday, August 14, as part of a strategy that the white club had been preparing for some time to protect itself against potential changes in its squad.

A Planned Addition

The management of Real Madrid had anticipated this move as a safeguard in case Mario Hezonja left for the NBA, which eventually happened. The club needed to strengthen its list of players considered homegrown, i.e., those trained in the youth system or with clear ties to Spanish basketball, a requirement to comply with Liga Endesa regulations.

Each team in the Spanish top category must have a minimum of four homegrown players in their twelve-player lineup for each game. With Osman Garuba sidelined for a considerable part of the upcoming season due to injury, Shulga's addition will allow Real Madrid to have five players meeting this criterion, ensuring regulatory compliance without issues.

Talent Developed in Spain

Shulga represents an interesting profile: although born in Ukraine, his sports career has been closely linked to the development of Spanish basketball. At the age of 11, he moved to Spain to play for Colegio Leones, where he began his journey in the youth categories. Later, at 14, he relocated to Madrid to join the Basketball School of Excellence in Torrelodones, one of the leading centers for nurturing young talents in the country.

This early trajectory within the Spanish system was instrumental in his classification as a homegrown player, allowing him to be fielded in Liga Endesa games without occupying a foreign player quota. The point guard has spent most of his player development in Spain, facilitating his integration into Real Madrid's project.

Experience in the NBA and G-League

After establishing himself in Spanish leagues, Shulga decided to try his luck in the United States. For five years, he competed in American college basketball, gaining experience in one of the top development systems globally. In the season prior to his signing with Real Madrid, the Ukrainian point guard had been playing between the NBA and the G-League, the North American development league, representing both the Boston Celtics and their affiliate team.

This high-level experience in American professional competitions adds value to Shulga's profile, arriving in Madrid with knowledge of advanced tactical systems and consolidated competitive maturity. His stint with NBA teams, albeit limited, has allowed him to train and compete against some of the world's best players.

Strategic Reinforcement for the Season

Shulga's addition aligns with Real Madrid's necessity to maintain competitiveness in Liga Endesa while managing departures and changes in its squad structure. Hezonja's departure left a significant gap not only in terms of talent but also regarding the regulatory requirements imposed by the Spanish competition.

With this signing, the white club ensures having enough homegrown players to face the season without limitations in composing their lineups. Furthermore, the arrival of the Ukrainian point guard provides alternatives on the perimeter, a crucial aspect in modern basketball where offensive capability from the distance is paramount.

The two-year contract reflects Real Madrid's confidence in Shulga's potential, offering him stability to develop within one of the top projects in European basketball. At 24 years old, the player is at an optimal age to establish himself as a key piece in Real Madrid's scheme, blending his international experience with his trajectory within the Spanish system.

This is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, El Real Madrid ficha a Shulga por dos años