One of the rising superstars of Spanish basketball, Usman Garuba, is another great product of the Real Madrid Academy. He joined the club at just 16 years, becoming the third-youngest player in their history. He was also the youngest forward to make his debut in the Endesa League. At such a young age, he has cemented himself as one of the elite players, just like Luka Doncic.

Usman broke the record previously set by Doncic as the youngest player to begin in a competitive game in the history of Real Madrid’s ACB.  Often said he follows Doncic’s footsteps, Usman was asked about his thoughts on these statements.

The question was, “The next star” or “Garuba follows in Doncic’s wake” are some of the headlines I have read about you preparing this interview. What does a young player to not be distracted by all the news that arises around him?”

The very young but mature Usman confessed, “Those things don’t influence me because one day you can do well, but another day you can go wrong. The truth is that I don’t care. It is good that they say that I follow Doncic’s wake but knowing that each person is different.

“Each player has their own way of growing and improving. But it is good that they say that about you, it means that you are doing things more or less well.”

Has Luka Doncic set the bar too high?

The way Dallas Mavericks‘ Luka won everyone’s hearts in the playoffs last season makes every player want to be like him. However, “Somehow, are the guys who make it to the first team from the youth squad affected by the high expectations that Doncic set? Or is he a mirror to look into?”

Usman stated that he is unaffected by this. “In my case, it doesn’t affect me. For young people, he should be a mirror in which to look at ourselves… without getting obsessed.

“Luka has stood out a lot, but not everyone is Luka. He has probably been the best 18-year-old player ever. Therefore, you don’t have to focus on that, but on yourself. How we can improve for tomorrow to be better players. And that’s it.”

As one of the greatest talents of European basketball, Garuba has very high ambitions. Coached by one of the best, Pablo Laso, he wants to play for the Olympics one day. With the way he has established himself at such a young age, it won’t be surprising at all if he fulfills that dream.