Wildcats Next Star Almansa set for Spanish senior debut

The 19-year-old has made his first Spanish senior squad for a pair of FIBA EuroBasket qualifier games against Slovakia later this month.

Almansa has enjoyed a bright to his time at the Wildcats, including a career-high 19 points and seven rebounds in his first starting appearance against Melbourne United at John Cain Arena last week.

The talented Next Star signing is averaging 7.5 points and 3.5 rebounds per game.

Described as the most successful youth player in history, Almansa has an incredible international basketball resume.

The 208cm power forward/centre was named MVP of both the Under-19 and Under-17 FIBA World Cups in 2023 and 2022 respectively, as well as the best player in last year’s Under-18 FIBA European Championships.

🚨 OFICIAL | 1⃣6⃣ jugadores convocados (y otros 2⃣ invitados) para disputar con #LaFamilia la próxima Ventana de clasificación para el #EuroBasket 🔝

📆 18 al 25 de noviembre#SomosEquipo pic.twitter.com/tr8OszLyJn

— Baloncesto España (@BaloncestoESP) November 12, 2024

Almansa was a member of Real Madrid’s Youth Academy for two years, before developing his game in the USA at Overtime Elite, and then playing for the G-League Ignite last season including a pair of games against the Wildcats in Las Vegas.

He then became the first ever Spanish player to sign as a Next Star in the NBL this season.

Spain take on Slovakia in Bratislava on Saturday 23 November before facing the same opposition on home soil in Ourense on Tuesday 26 November.

The Wildcats have two more games before the FIBA break - Friday night’s Pink Game clash against South-East Melbourne Phoenix at RAC Arena before a road battle with Brisbane Bullets on Sunday.

Almansa joins Ben Henshall (Australian Boomers), Hyrum Harris and assistant coach Aaron Young (New Zealand Tall Blacks) as Wildcats players picked for their country during the FIBA break.