Hugo Sconochini, Emanuel Ginóbili, Juan Ignacio Sánchez and Andrés Nocioni are unique in the history of Argentine basketball. Not only because they are part of the Golden Generation that forever changed the sport of basketball. They are the only ones born on Argentine soil who, in addition to winning an Olympic gold medal and defeating the Dream Team, have ever lifted the most prestigious team trophy outside of the NBA: the EuroLeague. This afternoon, however, that achievement could be "overshadowed" by Facundo Campazzo, who will go in search of his second championship in this tournament. He will do so at 3:00 PM Argentina time, when his team, Real Madrid, faces the defending champion, Fenerbahce from Turkey, in the final of the Final Four in Belgrade.
That the point guard, without having been part of the most glorious generation of Argentine basketball, is on the verge of an international back-to-back championship, makes it clear that he is the leader of the national team alongside Luis Scola. And that goes beyond today's result.
Because the feisty number 7 from Argentina (he wears the number 11 jersey in Madrid) managed to make his place in the international elite, which he did not achieve without effort, patience, and hard work. From his 6 feet and 3 inches, it is not difficult to understand the difficulties he faced as a short guy with dreams of a 10-foot hoop. But talent and unwavering determination - because there are many who have the skills but not the mental strength to withstand the storms - surpassed every prejudice that appeared along the way.
In his first celebration in the EuroLeague, in 2015, he was more of an extra than a supporting actor. That season - his debut on the international stage after leaving Peñarol de Mar del Plata - he was lucky to have 10 minutes on the court; he was the team's third point guard and didn't even get to play in the Final Four. However, the memory is very special. "Despite not playing much in that tournament, I enjoyed and celebrated it as if I had," he recalled in the hours leading up to the final against Fenerbahce.
As he preferred to be the head of a mouse rather than the tail of a lion, he went on loan to the University of Murcia, where he played two seasons and showed that he had what it takes to compete in Europe: he played at a pace of almost 30 minutes per game and averaged nearly 15 points and 6 assists. In addition, the tricks he pulled out of his sleeve - a trademark of his daring style - made him continuously appear in the highlights with the best of the ACB League.
In the end, Madrid was convinced. Electric, a lover of risks - which often makes his own fans tremble - and since 2017 also with a European passport, it was time to prove that his growth stage was complete. He returned to the white team and coach Pablo Laso gave him the keys to leading the team. Without being the main figure - a position that unequivocally belongs to the young Slovenian Luka Doncic, a candidate to be selected in the top positions of the next NBA draft - Campazzo established himself as one of the top point guards on the continent.
And once again he had to fight: he became the player with the most games in the Spanish league this season between local and international commitments, but his body said enough was enough at one of the most inconvenient times, when the one-on-one EuroLeague playoffs were about to start in March.
He underwent surgery for a chondral injury in his left knee and a recovery period of one month was established. "He's cutting it close, but if he has to play, he will," Laso said without hesitation. He played for 5 minutes on Friday in the semifinal against CSKA Moscow. Today, he will want more. He will want all the glory.