He arrived in the NBA in 2021, as the 23rd draft pick, but Usman Garuba ultimately never managed to make a dent there (2.6 points and 3.8 rebounds, without playoffs, over a hundred games). Three years later, he decided to return to Real Madrid, where he was trained and played until his departure for the United States.
“ It was an easy choice, I felt valued here » he admitted to Eurohoops. “ Of course, the NBA was my main goal, but because of some things I wasn't able to find the best situation and show what I'm capable of doing. I don't want to use it as an excuse, but things happen for a reason and I'm back home. »
At only 22 years old, Usman Garuba is obviously far from having reached the end of his career, which could suggest that this return to Spain is a way of leaving in order to come back better…
“ Right now I don't think about it » he assures, about a future crossing of the Atlantic. “ I try to win matches, win the Euroleague and win a lot of titles before I think about it. It's not the priority. I'm still young and it's an option, but I'm now focused on Real Madrid, who considered me this summer. Winning is very important to me and feeling wanted, while having fun is too. »
Three years in the NBA full of lessons
Looking back, however, Usman Garuba prefers to retain the good from his American experience, even if everything was not rosy for him between Houston and Golden State (with stops in Atlanta and OKC).
“ My time there was great, I learned a lot and I can't complain about it, even if the playing time wasn't what I expected » admits the young interior. “ When you go there, there's a lot of excitement, but also a lot of dark stories, and I don't want to say it's a bad league or anything, but there are things a little different. I went there as a child and I've grown since then, I've had a lot of ups and downs, I've learned a lot. I was transferred, cut, saw a lot of things, the dark side of the business side… It made me mature a lot as a player. In particular, I learned that you had to be more selfish. »
Eager to “ regain pleasure » on the field, as when he returns to play for the national team, Usman Garuba will be able to find a club where the culture of victory has always been present, or almost.
“ In Europe, every game counts and, in the NBA, I mostly played on one of the worst teams around » he recalls, referring here to the Rockets of 2021/22 and 2022/23. “ I'm not saying we were playing to lose, but the mentality was different [de l’Europe]. We were trying to develop certain players, whereas here, teams try to win no matter what.. […] For me, the main thing is to have fun because everything comes later. »
| Usman Garuba | Percentage | Rebounds | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | MJ | Min | Shots | 3pts | L.F. | Off | Def | Early | Pd | Party | Int | Bp | Ct | Pts |
| 2021-22 | HOU | 24 | 10 | 43.2 | 25.0 | 71.4 | 0.9 | 2.6 | 3.5 | 0.7 | 1.2 | 0.4 | 0.3 | 0.5 | 2.0 |
| 2022-23 | HOU | 75 | 13 | 48.6 | 40.7 | 61.7 | 1.6 | 2.5 | 4.1 | 0.9 | 1.8 | 0.6 | 0.6 | 0.4 | 3.0 |
| 2023-24 | GOS | 6 | 3 | 16.7 | 0.0 | 50.0 | 0.5 | 0.7 | 1.2 | 0.2 | 0.3 | 0.2 | 0.3 | 0.5 | 0.5 |
| Total | 105 | 12 | 46.7 | 36.3 | 62.5 | 1.4 | 2.4 | 3.8 | 0.8 | 1.6 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.4 | 2.6 | |
How to read the stats? MJ = matches played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def=defensive rebound; Tot = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; Pts = Points.
