It was undoubtedly one of the most significant blows Pablo Aguilar suffered in his professional career. It was particularly painful for him as it was given to him at home.
Two remarkable seasons were spent by the man from Granada in the extinct Cebe’. He arrived in 2008 with a 4-year contract. Real Madrid, his club, granted him the right to repurchase power forward. He did not want the club to stop him from moving away from his radar. The operation cost just over 300,000. However, plans from the capital included at least one more season.
Logically, Aguilar was 21 years old when he made his decision to stay in his city’s team. The red-green entity slammed the door on Aguilar’s face, leaving a scar that continues to hurt today.
I was certain that I wanted to remain in Granada if Madrid offered me up. It was without a doubt the first option. He says that it had been two excellent seasons with the team playing well and that he was very happy at home. Aguilar didn’t expect to find what he did on a hot summer’s day in Granada.
He relates that he went to the United States after the season was over to train with the NBA draft teams. It was an intense summer because he returned from America as a guest to Gran Canaria where Sergio Scariolo was preparing for the 2010 World Cup.
Julian Aranda, then general director of CBGranada at the time, explained the power forward. After assessing the season, he informed me that they wouldn’t count me in for the next season as I wasn’t a good fit and that there was already someone in my position so I didn’t have a spot. Although I didn’t feel proud, I asked him for the name of that player. He said it was Mamadou Samb.
Aguilar smiles nervously and continues to tell a story that, 12 years later, was kept in a drawer. “When I closed my door to the club office, I began crying like a child. From there, I went to Veleta where some players were training. I was sobbing when I arrived. David Urbano, Alberto Perez, and Pinzas, a physiotherapist, were there to encourage me. I returned home from there. I signed in Zaragoza in August, and he closes it. That is the thorn that remains and that Zaragoza wants to get rid of one day.
