Samuel Nwugha Galán is one of the most beloved and endearing players in our academy, and whom we have seen grow from a very young age. We are very honored to see him develop as a player and as a person, to the point of adding a surplus and being an important piece in Infantil A, Cadet A and now, Junior A at Torrejón Basketball Academy. An award to his perseverance, effort and dedication to the orange bouncing ball. It is for this reason and more that we have chosen him as the Interview of the Month in this July off-season, to get to know him and find out more about his current and future:

Sam, thanks for being here and first of all, your past: Where does the history of Sami with basketball begin?

Well, it starts from when I was very small. My parents would take me to the courts next to my house to play for a while. I went very occasionally until my mother by chance spoke with Paco, a coach of the youngest category in TBS and she let me try and well, here I am.

Have you been a player in Torrejón Basket for how long? For those who do not know you or have not seen you play on the court, how would you describe yourself as a player? Flaws, virtues?

I started at the Torrejón Basketball Academy when I was 6 years old. I would describe myself as a very fighting and hard-working player, strong, disciplined, who predominates in the paint but has a decent shot from outside the paint-area and has great defense. I am also quite self-demanding since I seek to do things as well as possible. But, that sometimes it works against me making it affect my confidence, but I am working on it and I feel like I am progressing quite well.

What do you do off the court and what hobbies do you have?

When I am not on exam dates I really like to go out with my friends. We usually go to the courts to play basketball or go around chatting about our things. When I have time where I am not training, I am watching movies, series with my family and above all listening to music, I consider that music is essential in my life.

What does Torrejón, the city, and the club mean to you?

Well, Torrejón is my home, where I have played all my life, where I have grown up, where my friends are, it is a place where I have thousands of good experiences and experiences that have made me learn and harden. At Torrejón Basket I found my passion and discovered my love for basketball and I am eternally grateful to the academy for trusting me from the beginning. Grateful for giving me all the amazing experiences that have made me the person I am today.

Do you have future goals in basketball?

I want to dedicate myself to professional basketball and I am working hard to achieve it. I know it is difficult, but if everything goes well then I will fulfill my dream. I have to try.

Your Junior A squad competes and puts up a real fight against rivals of historical weight such as Real Madrid, Movistar Estudiantes, Baloncesto Fuenlabrada and who have managed to beat almost all of them multiple times this last season. Among the high collective points, several superior paper teams were beaten; How do you analyze this season and what do you think it took to reach the Final Four FBM?

This season we have worked a lot, we finished third in the regular season but we could not reach the Final Four. We reached the Quarterfinals with a lot of desire but we could not get through to the Semifinals. We deserved it very much in my opinion. For next year I see the team very capable of winning anything, so I am really looking forward to getting started as I am sure we will go a long way.

Personally, what do you envision for your final year as a U-18?

I do not know what my last year of Junior will bring me. The only thing I know is that I am going to work hard and I am maturing and God willing I will do well and I will be able to contribute whatever is needed to the team. I am very focused and I am working a lot during the summer to be able to do my best.

Academically where you look? What do you want to study at university and why?

I would like to major in psychology, more specifically, sports psychology. I think it is a fairly important section of sport, even as important or even more important than the physical aspect. I think that the brain is the one that in the end gives us the strength to continue despite defeats, pain, injuries and exhaustion. Our thoughts are a decisive weapon to continue fighting and that has to be worked on and I would like to have the tools to do so, either to help myself or to help others.

FIBA 3x3 has been gaining popularity in recent times and TBS came to ball out in the debut season at the Madrid level, making the podium. Also, qualifying and playing in #3x3U17FEB in Mallorca. How did you live it? What do you think of this discipline? 🏀

The experience was very enriching and I personally learned a lot. We met and met players from all over Spain and with players we have faced this year in the regular season. The organization was phenomenal and we had a great time. Now 3x3 is booming and although I prefer 5-a-side basketball, I think this discipline is fun and also very tough.

An advice to the new generations of Torrejoneros players:

I would say "try to enjoy the process". I think we should not focus so much on the end of the road and start having fun, enjoying, learning and playing, which is what we want. There will be bumps, there will be unforeseen events, thousands of things will happen, and I think the best thing you can do is learn from it and try to have a good time. This sport also serves to isolate yourself from the rest, so enjoy it, it is precious and it will help you in all aspects of your life.