REAL MADRID

ROSTER

4 TOMIC, ANTE C 2.17 5 FERNANDEZ, RUDY F 1.97 7 POCIUS, MARTYNAS F 1.96 8 SUAREZ, CARLOS F 2.03 9 REYES, FELIPE F 2.03 12 MIROTIC, NIKOLA F 2.08 13 RODRIGUEZ, SERGIO G 1.91 14 VELICKOVIC, NOVICA F 2.05 16 BEGIC, MIRZA C 2.20 20 CARROLL, JAYCEE G 1.88 23 LLULL, SERGIO G 1.90 Head Coach: LASO, PABLO

Historic Results 2010-11: 14-9,Final Four 2009-10: 12-8, Playoffs 2008-09: 12-8, Playoffs 2007-08: 14-6, Top 16 2006-07: 13-4, Champion Eurocup 2005-06: 12-11, Playoffs 2004-05: 9-11, Top 16 2003-04: 13-4, Finalist ULEB Cup 2002-03: 6-8, Regular Season 2001-02: 12-8, Top 16 2000-01: 10-5, Playoffs

2010-11 Results Euroleague: Regular Season 6-4 Top 16 5-1 Playoffs 3-2 Final Four 4rd place Spanish League: Semifinalist Spanish Cup: Finalist

Real Madrid comes off a season in which it made its return to the continental spotlight by reaching the Turkish Airlines Euroleague Final Four. This year European basketball’s winningest team looks to go even farther and add to its record eight Euroleague crowns. Despite last season’s run, the Whites have suffered through a bit of a dry spell. Madrid has not claimed any trophy for four years now and has won only one European title in the past 14 seasons. There have been some significant changes to the team, the largest of which was handing the reigns to club legend Pablo Laso, who will make his Euroleague head-coaching debut. The squad is packed with experienced Euroleague players and loads of talent including last season’s Euroleague Rising Star Trophy winner, forward Nikola Mirotic, and two former winners of the award, Novica Velickovic and Rudy Fernandez. With most of the core players from last season’s Final Four team back, Madrid looks ready to shine even brighter in 2012.



Madrid’s two Sergios are the engines that fuel the team. While Sergio Llull brings quickness and confidence to play both guard positions, Sergio Rodriguez is a natural playmaker with a great sense of creativity and court vision. Both of them will have to adapt fast as all of Madrid’s newest reinforcements have come in the backcourt. Sharp shooter Jaycee Carroll is the only Euroleague rookie on the team and his scoring ability – he led the Spanish League in scoring last season – brings another dimension to the Madrid attack. The same is the case with addition of swingman Fernandez, who returns to his homeland after three years overseas. Rudy’s ability to penetrate any defense, shoot from the outside or use his tremendous athleticism to out-jump opposing defenses will give coach Laso versatility in the backcourt. Marty Pocius fits perfectly into that equation, as another versatile swingman who can score in many different ways, makes good decisions on the floor and like the rest of the Madrid backcourt, can be a tiger on defense.

Madrid’s depth and versatility continues in its frontline where there are players that present coach Laso with numerous options. Carlos Suarez made a major impact on both ends of the floor last season with his good size, athleticism and outside shooting that ensure he is always a tough match-up. Mirotic comes off a great first Euroleague season. As a power forward with great size, the speed of a small forward and a soft touch around the rim and from downtown, the sky is the limit for Mirotic. The experienced Felipe Reyes is a physical player whose inside presence and rebounding has been helping this team get wins for the last seven years. Velickovic will look for his form from two seasons ago, but scoring aside, Velickovic’s defense and strength always make an impact. He also helps the team with his ability to comfortably slide into the small forward position if Madrid wants to use a big lineup, or to play alongside Suarez at power forward. The man in the paint for Madrid is Ante Tomic. A finesse center, Tomic is equally deadly from the rim and from mid-range. What makes Tomic so dangerous is his understanding of the game and guard-like court vision that benefits everyone around him. Mirza Begic, on the other hand, is post-up threat who also brings intimidation into the paint because of his great shot-blocking and rebounding ability.

With such a deep roster and the rich history that serves them as both a great motivation and an obligation, Real Madrid is once again looking to make a run for Euroleague glory. And with only one player over the age of 26, but eight that have been to the Euroleague Final Four, the mix of youth and experience means that great things could be in store for the Whites not only this season, but for years to come.

VIDEOS Sergio Rodriguez Pablo Laso Ante Tomic