Bagayoko: “It was a pride to beat Ricky’s record”

Tuesday 06th May 2025 05:23 AM

There are stories that do not need ornaments to excite. Bassala Bagayoko (Bamako, Mali, 18) is one of them. Before being of legal age, what many do not taste in a career has lived: the glory of the most early debut in the ACB, the vertigo of the expectations, the loneliness of a devastating knee injury … and the light of a second chance. From the streets of Bamako to the lights of Europe, its trip is marked by resilience, sacrifice and maturity that move. Now, with the title of the Europe Cup under the arm and recent registration in the draftalthough it is likely to retire in June, he speaks from the heart, with his contagious smile.

European champions, it sounds good, but very well.

If I wish the paok is the first final of many. We have done something historical. The celebrations have been unforgettable. Much happiness.

Who has he dedicated it to?

To my family. They are the ones who have always been there for me, at all times. To my sister, my family, all those people.

Finally, the reward for sacrifice arrives?

Bua! Well, I feel like never. I get all of this after returning from injuries. It is an immense joy.

Sport whims: I was destined to play with the Zornotza, which has just come down in the second Feb and go on to play in ACB and win the Europe Cup …

Yeah! I am very sorry what happened with Zornotza, we will try to encourage them. And, nothing, to move on.

With everything he has lived in his career and being so young, do you think these experiences have made him mature faster?

The truth is that. Always be with the elderly, it has made me mature a lot, yes.

Here people love him a lot, do he notice when he goes to the court?

Yes. Both on and off the court, on the street … wherever. It is very tasty.

Do they still not let Rabaseda say as he said jokingly?

(Laughs). I am very shy and I don’t like talking a lot. I like to listen, but say, I am not good. Although yes, they let me say what I want, but it doesn’t come out.

Tell me how their beginnings were in Bamako.

I used to play football before. I liked it a lot. basketball, less, but an aunt of mine told me to try, because it was the highest in the neighborhood. I went a couple of days and already hooked me. Then I started playing tournaments, games, they signed me in schools … and so I continued.

And now what does your family and friends tell you? They must be crazy.

Well yes. In my family no one had been basketball player. I am the first. And now many of my brothers, cousins … are starting to play.

With only 12 years he goes to the Canary Islands and plays the minicopa as a guest …

Yes. I was there for a year playing in the Canary Islands, one more stage to continue progress, I also remember it with love.

And with 14 the big day comes: the debut in ACB against Madrid. I know he will be tired of being remembered, but it was a moment.

No, I like to remind me. It makes me proud. It was an unforgettable day, yes, a great honor.

Against Madrid, nothing less. With only 14 years, 7 months and 15 days. Did you know at that moment that Ricky Rubio’s record was overcoming?

Perfectly. Since they told me that I was going to debut, that was what they all told me. It makes you excited, we are talking about a world star. It was a pride to be able to do it, really.

Did he help him a lot at that time?

Yes, very much. And also many colleagues and coaches. They were save guard, Raventós … Everyone helped me a lot. They encouraged me very much.

How could everything that came later with only 14 years?

UF … very difficult. But I had and have a family in Madrid that is very important for me. They have helped me a lot. If it weren’t for them, I don’t know if I had endured it.

Yes, because knee injury came … Did you come the world on you?

I didn’t expect it. At the beginning of the season it was doing very well, but when the injury came … I was very screwed. They told me that it could be a sprain, but when I did the resonance they told me that they had to operate and that I had to be six or seven months without playing … I started crying because they had never operated me. But then I recovered well and every time I feel better.

Did I hope this new opportunity?

Something of hope, yes. But when you are in bed more than a month without being able to bend your knee, you think many negative things. Although as you feel better, you have hope again. And here I am.

Was he seen out of basketball?

I already tell you, that you always cling to any positive aspect, it cannot decline. But again everything was new to me, because I had never operated. I was relieved by pills and injections.

Don’t you be scared to say “this boy debuted with 14 years, has to be a superstar”?

No, on the contrary, that encourages me. I like to listen to it.

Has Bilbao found the perfect place to redirect your career?

Let’s say yes. After the injury, Bilbao is a perfect place for me.

What would you like to get in basketball? How far do you want to go?

Bua, I don’t know, but I would like to go further than people imagine.

It’s nice to chat with you, you never lose your smile. I guess life has good things and knows how to get the positive.