By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Facundo Campazzo helping Real Madrid to yet another win Sunday marked his final appearance with the Whites. The ACB Regular Season Round 12 home match versus Baxi Manresa concluded his tenure with the Spanish powerhouse and at the same time cleared the path for him to join the Denver Nuggets.
Campazzo, 29, is expected to ink a two-year contract. His salary will cover most of the $6M buyout necessary for the Madrid club to release him.
The Argentinian point guard held a game-high 20 points for the closing chapter of his extremely successful stint. He was 4/9 from the field, also registered four assists and two rebounds in 25 minutes.
“I met Facu five or six years ago when he arrived in Madrid,” recalled head coach Pablo Laso following the game, “Obviously, I had no doubts about him as a player. But from the first moment, he has been able to have personal growth that has also made him grow as a player. That speaks highly of him as a person.”
“In the first year, with a difficult situation, coming from Argentina and meeting both Sergio Llull and Sergio Rodriguez at that time. But he has always maintained a very positive attitude and that is what has made him grow also a lot as a player,” he added complementing the soon-to-be Nuggets player, “I have nothing but good words for Facu”.
Up next, the Nuggets training camp scheduled to open on December 1. The 72-game regular-season schedule is planned to begin three weeks later, on December 22.
Campazzo was part of the 2015 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague championship team and went all the way in Europe’s premier continental club competition in 2018 as well. He was also crowned ACB champion three times, captured two Copa del Rey titles, and is a four-time Supercopa winner.
“He is a player who has always been able to grow in bad moments. I have always been very demanding with him,” mentioned Laso furthering into his time with Campazzo, “I have tried to improve aspects that were going to make him grow as a player and he has always been very receptive. He has had his good moments, his bad moments, but always with the idea of continuing to grow as a player. His entry into the team was very positive and his growth as well. I am very happy with how he adapted to the team from the first day and how the team adapted to his circumstances.”
Campazzo himself via social media also said goodbye to Real Madrid, without mentioning Denver yet, and mentioning the possibility of returning to the “Whites” one day, while also mentioning UCAM Murcia, his second Spanish team.
“The time has come: Today was my last game at Real Madrid and the truth is that I have a great mix of feelings. I have been nostalgic for several days now. In this club, I spent unique, unforgettable moments that mark my career and my life. May our paths meet again in the future.
I am leaving Spain as a completely different person from the one who arrived in 2014. Here I learned, I matured, I understood the value of work, I met beautiful places and incredible people. I received affection and support in each of the steps that I took. It would be unfair not to mention the UCAM Murcia family: management, fans, and friends. They also occupy a central place in my heart.
A stage is finished. Of growth and permanent teachings. I was very happy in this country. But I must go to fulfill a dream. I was waiting for a lifetime to make it happen. Thanks a lot”.