00 Omar Cook G 1.86 4 Joseph Gomis G 1.80 5 Berni Rodriguez G 1.97 7 Georgios Printezis F 2.06 8 Taquan Dean G 1.93 9 Jiri Welsch F 2.01 10 Carlos Jimenez F 2.05 16 Guillem Rubio F 2.02 19 Joel Freeland C 2.08 21 Robert Archibald C 2.12 34 Saul Blanco G 1.94 Head Coach: Aito Garcia Reneses

One of the emergent continental powerhouses of the decade, Unicaja welcomes the 2009-10 season as a chance to improve upon its already impressive results in the Euroleague over the last several years. Entering its ninth consecutive Euroleague season, Unicaja not only has put sunny Andalusia on the continental basketball map, but has also become more than a tourist destination for top players and coaches. Incredible home crowds, modern organization and loyal sponsorship have allowed Unicaja to join the ranks of the very best Euroleague teams, highlighted by a trip to the Final Four in 2007. Unicaja underwent substantial roster change in the off-season to gain young talent and versatility. Only six players are back from last year's lineup, but Unicaja kept a strong base with center Robert Archibald, playmaker Omar Cook, team captain Berni Rodriguez and do-it-all forward Carlos Jimenez. Unicaja landed young, ambitious players hungry to do well in Europe's signature club competition such as forward Georgios Printezis, scoring machines Saul Blanco and Taquan Dean, up-and-coming big man Joel Freeland and solid center Guillem Rubio. Unicaja will no doubt set its sights on a playoff spot and with the right chemistry, try to reach even higher and show that its 2007 Final Four appearance was not an exception.



Unicaja has faced early injury problems, as backup playmaker Joseph Gomis, a jolt of athleticism whenever he takes the court, is not expected to play until January 2010. As such, Cook will be more of a fulltime floor general in his second year with the team. Creative, smart and ready for big responsibility, Cook will work at getting all his teammates involved, but might also take more of a scoring role than ever. Rodriguez will be a key player for Unicaja at both guard spots. A world champion and Olympic finalist with Spain, Rodriguez is at the prime of his career, offering great on-the-ball defense and know-how. Dean is an outstanding scorer who works harder than anyone around. His incredible athleticism and unlimited range turn him into a nightmare matchup, too. Jiri Welsch, in his fourth season with Unicaja, will be a key defensive player, as well as providing driving skills, determination and rebounding from the perimeter. Blanco comes off a breakout season in the Spanish League and is poised for a bigger challenge. Dynamic and fast, Blanco can help the team in many ways, making him a perfect fit for the active system employed by head coach Aito Garcia Reneses. Unicaja also inked teen sensation Miki Servera, who may see some minutes at point guard with Gomis sidelined. Servera, age 16, is considered to be one of the top prospects in Spanish basketball.

Jimenez is back at small forward ready to do a little bit of everything to make Unicaja win games. A great one-on-one defender and an outstanding rebounder, Jimenez never gives less than 110% on the court. His deep range, experience and versatility turn him into a leader by example. He will share minutes with Printezis, a young Euroleague veteran who got valuable Final Four experience with Olympiacos last season. Headed into his prime at age 24, Printezis runs the floor really well, plays both forward spots and can score in many ways. Freeland will make his Euroleague debut this season with the intention of showing he belongs on this level. Tall, powerful and skilled, Freeland may be among the many young players to watch for all Euroleague fans this season. Archibald is back to offer know-how, superb post skills and experience. A key player for coach Aito in defense, Archibald can be productive in the high post or backing the basket. Rubio will provide intensity, second-chance baskets and outside shots off the bench. Due to its many new players, Unicaja will need an adjustment period to offer its best basketball. Even with that, be sure that when it is time to fight for a playoff spot, Unicaja will be right there, backed by its phenomenal fan base.

SAUL BLANCO, GUARD Although he's anonymous to most fans around the continent, shooting guard Saul Blanco arrives to Unicaja as one of the rising stars of Spanish basketball, ready now to challenge the very best in Europe. In just four years with Spanish first-division club Fuenlabrada, Blanco went from relative unknown to become a last-minute cut from the Spanish national team this summer. Above all, Blanco fits perfectly in coach Aito Garcia Reneses' system due to his intensity and team-oriented game. Always patient on offense, Blanco is unselfish to the point of usually preferring to find an open teammate. However, Blanco doesn't shy at all from responsibility when his team needs a go-to guy. His athleticism and by-the-book jump shot turn him into a fun-to-watch player, too. Blanco knows how to make the most of his physical skills on defense. Not only is he a terrific on-the-ball defender, but Blanco is also very valuable in double-team situations. Coming off a breakout season, where he become one of the best scorers in the Spanish League, Blanco has already shown he can take his game to another level. Last season, Blanco learned to make the most of his deep range and driving skills without losing any aggressiveness on defense. With super scorer Taquan Dean on the team, Blanco is ready to play a similar role as he had last season, that of a second backcourt option on offense, always ready to step up when needed. He could prove key, too, in helping Unicaja’s pass-first point guard, Omar Cook, distribute the ball. His youth, talent, defensive skills and sensational team-oriented mentality should turn Blanco into a key contributor from day one. Although his lack of experience at the highest European level is his main handicap, Blanco is more than ready, at age 24, to help Unicaja maintain its solid status among the Euroleague's perennial contenders.