Justin Doellman and DeShaun Thomas unveiled

After Wednesday’s presentation of  Tomas Satoransky and Tibor Pleiss, this Thursday it was the turn of the North Americans Justin Doellman and DeShaun Thomas to be unveiled as Barça basketball’s latest signings. Director Joan Bladé, and coach Joan Creus were at the presentation  and Sr Creus explained: “I’m sure with their characteristics, they’ll both help us”.

Speaking of Doellman, who was voted the league’s regular season MVP and best player at the Eurocup Final with Valencia, the coach stressed: “he’s been in Europe for seven years now, he’s got experience of the Euroleague and he’s played in Spain for four years. He’s got better with every season  - he’s a complete, athletic and fast player with a good throw”.

In contrast to Doellman’s experience, Creus highlighted the 23-year-old DeShaun Thomas’ “great potential – his year in France will have helped him adapt to the FIBA rules. He’ll play as a ‘3’ because that’s where we think he can really do well”. I’m coming to Barça to help us win games and titles and I will do whatever is asked to make that happen

Justin Doellman then spoke and explained: “I’m coming to Barça to help us win games and titles and I will do whatever is asked to make that happen. I’ll do what the coach wants me to. We have a good team with plenty of players who can score and that’ll make things harder for our opponents . I’ll try and improve in every facet on court” I never imagined I’d get the chance to play here in just my second season in Europe. I want to show I deserve the chance.

DeShaun Thomas won at the Palau with French team Nanterre last season, but he wasn’t expecting to be back in Barcelona so soon: “I never imagined I’d get the chance to play here in just my second season in Europe. I want to show I deserve the chance. I’m hard working and tough on court and for a young player like me, it is very important to be able to learn from players like Doellman or Navarro”.