By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Inspired back in the playing days of Berni Rodriguez and Jose Calderon, The Embassy located in southern Spain offers state-of-the-art practice facilities for players to train during the offseason.
Rodriguez, 42, talked to Spanish outlet Gigantes about the project attracting multiple NBA players to Fuengirola and the Training Center Huigeron. A beautiful location in the province of Malaga.
“It meets the quality standards for teams and players from all around the world,” was the description handed by Rodriguez, roughly translated with the help of Google, “Equipped with the most recent technology, it consists of two courts meeting the NBA standards, and training requirements corresponding to the NBA, WNBA, NCAA, EuroLeague, ACB, Women’s EuroLeague, and FIBA, and 3X3 as well. It also has a gym along with contrast pools and scoreboards. All this in a beautiful location with a view of the nearby sea.”
Calderon, 40, currently works at the Cleveland Cavaliers as the Special Advisor to the Front Office. Forming the Embassy was a project discussed with Rodriguez during training camps of the Spain national team.
“We talked about the possibility of working together in the future,” recalled Rodriguez, “We had an immediate connection. Our priority was to value honesty and loyalty above other ambitions. After we retired, we put the plan into motion.”
“It was about becoming a point of reference for players from every major league to come with their families, companions, and coaches. To enjoy a wonderful experience of tourism, leisure, and relaxation, while having a world-class facility and required equipment for daily training,” he added.
On the origin of the name, The Embassy, Rodriguez explained, “One of the characteristics of the Training Center Huigeron is that it is independent, it is not attached in any way to a team or federation. It is exclusively managed by two former professional players, who fully understand the needs of high-level players and coaches to work in optimal conditions. From there, an embassy is a place outside your own country where anybody can feel sheltered and protected as in our home, hence the term The Embassy. We want the Training Center Huigeron to be the embassy of basketball for all players, coaches, referees, etc.”
Photo Credit: FIBA.BASKETBALL