Albert evaluates Valencia Basket's signings in their first matches

After a few rounds of competition, Xavi Albert has shared his first impressions on the signings that arrived at Valencia Basket during the summer. The coach, in an interview granted to Racó Taronja, breaks down the role, impact, and adaptation of each of the new players that make up a roster radically different from previous seasons. The orange team has been one of the most changed in its structure, and the coach's words reflect a deep analysis of how these players are integrating into the proposed playing system.

TJ Shorts, a key piece in the project

Albert praises TJ Shorts, whom he describes as an addition that fits perfectly into the team's tactical scheme. The coach emphasizes that the first step was to recover the player in terms of his mentality, aware that he had not found the expected performance at his previous destination. However, in the playing pattern that Valencia aims to develop, Shorts has proven to be one of the best assets available in European competition.

What stands out most to Albert, beyond his technical and offensive ability, is the leadership he exhibits on the court. The coach highlights how the American is continuously communicating, positioning his teammates, and improving those around him. His attitude in every pause, in every moment of play, reflects a winning mindset and a constant willingness to contribute in all aspects of basketball.

Mario Saint-Supéry, defensive evolution

Regarding Mario Saint-Supéry, Albert adopts a flexible perspective on traditional positions in modern basketball. The coach acknowledges that traditional roles are increasingly blurred, and most players function as playmakers in different situations. With Saint-Supéry, Albert expresses satisfaction, especially for the step forward he is taking in defense.

Historically, the French player has been a ball-handler and penetrator, with a more offensive focus, but Albert sees a defensive ceiling in him that had not been observed before. The coach believes he is in the process of becoming a player capable of defending the main opposing ball handlers, sharing rotations with Shorts. This versatility allows Valencia to explore different tactical combinations due to the width of their playing style.

Mo Gueye and international adaptation

The situation of Mo Gueye presents a different complexity. Albert acknowledges that the adaptation of players coming from different dynamics, especially from other countries and sports cultures, is a complicated process. The competition calendar, marked by the FIBA Windows, leaves barely two weeks before the maximum demands of the Euroliga impose without margin for reaction.

The coach understands that this adaptation period, which would be necessary under normal conditions, is hampered by competitive urgency. However, Albert maintains his commitment to assist any player who does not find the right dynamics or the proper feeling in the game. He points out that there are multiple cases, both in the current season and in past ones, of players from the G League who have experienced exponential changes in their performance.

Simultaneous patience and demand

The coach mentions the case of Braxton Key as a reference for positive transformation, although he warns that not all players reach that level of improvement. Albert stresses the need to balance patience with demand, understanding that some processes require time but without losing sight of the team's competitive objectives.

Valencia Basket faces this season with a renewed roster that demands tactical adjustments and a gradual integration of its components. Albert's words reveal a coach aware of the challenges involved in managing such significant changes in a short time, but also confident that the proposed playing system is suitable for these players to perform at the highest level. The key will lie in how the team manages to synchronize in the coming weeks, both in domestic competition and in the European arena.

This is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Albert valora los fichajes de Valencia Basket en sus primeras jornadas