VALENCIA (Spain) - Two wins from two, so far for Spain. Two more will clinch the OQT hosts a ticket to the Olympic Basketball Tournaments Paris 2024.
For Santi Aldama, it presents an opportunity for a first appearance, emulating the achievement of his father, Santiago Aldama, who played for Spain at the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona, taking on the famous 'Dream Team'.
"I take a lot of pride in being Spanish."
Every athlete dreams of being an Olympian, not every one can achieve it. Aldama has grown up understanding the importance of what it means to represent Spain, and that only serves as extra motivation to make it to Paris.
"It's something that my father found a hard time to describe what it meant," he said. "He said that it didn’t really matter about the result, it was about the Olympic experience - something he’s always wished I could experience one day, once I told him I wanted to be a basketball player.
"So for me, watching Spain having success in the Olympics - almost beating the US twice - it’s something I take a lot of pride in, and trying to follow my father's footsteps."
Aldama is certainly doing all he can on the court having got off to an efficient start to the tournament in Valencia.
The Memphis Grizzlies forward put up 17 points and nine rebounds in the opening win over Lebanon, before backing it up with 24 points and eight rebounds as Spain battled past Angola, on Wednesday, to book their spot in the last four.
“I'm trying to be the best for the team. I feel like I can bring a lot to the table, both offensively and defensively."
There has been a sense of expectancy for Aldama to become an integral part of the senior national team, having made his mark as MVP of the FIBA U18 EuroBasket in 2019 - beating out current teammate Usman Garuba - with 18.0 points, 7.6 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 2.3 blocks and 1.9 steals per game in Volos, Greece.
It was at last year's FIBA Basketball World Cup that Aldama competed in a tournament for the senior team for the first time, though the campaign would end in a Second Round exit for the two-time winners.
A period of transition is always natural, especially following on from so many greats of international basketball. The next generation are here, though, with Aldama ready to lead the charge, and keep learning in the process.
"We've had a lot of success in the past, we've had a great generation, we're in that point where newer guys are coming in - most of us are fighting for our first Olympic chance. So, it’s just trusting the work and knowing what it takes to be at that level.
"The biggest takeaway from the World Cup was knowing we need to learn to play in the final moments - executing when it matters most. We talked about that before we came here, and we've been looking forward to this moment since last year, and we’re ready to just do it."
Another Spanish legend soon to retire is Rudy Fernandez. The ever-present 39-year-old could be set for a historic sixth Olympic appearance - dating back to his debut appearance at Athens 2004 as a teenager, and his teammates are determined to experience that last dance in Paris.
"We all want to help Rudy achieve that goal," Aldama said with a glowing nod towards his captain. "He doesn’t want to take that credit, but he's already a legend - he’s done a lot.
"I've been watching him since I've watched basketball. The biggest mark he leaves in basketball, aside from all the titles he has - which is probably hard to beat - is the fact that he's still here. Rudy has committed every single summer of his to be with the national team.
"Maybe in a different role now to what he had 10-15 years ago, but he’s all about the team and trying to help the young guys like me, so that’s why we’re really trying to make it [to Paris]."
It’s almost unthinkable to imagine an Olympics without Spain. Silver medalists in 1984, 2008 and 2012, as well as picking up bronze in 2016, La Roja have only missed out on the Games once in the past four decades.
But nothing is given, and Spain need to earn that right to be there in a different way to what they’ve been accustomed to. Either Poland or Finland await in the Semi-Finals before a potential Final showdown with the Bahamas looms.
"I think it's just not taking it for granted," said Aldama. "It's a little bit new for us [being in the Qualifying Tournament], even for the veteran guys, but we’ve been excited.
"We've been lucky to have had a group that has been super talented and had a lot of success, but we're also lucky to now have a group of guys that are really willing to take that next step.
"I've always wanted to represent Spain at the highest level, and I really do believe the Olympics is the highest level in any sport. Just having the chance to be there is something amazing, and I’ve been dreaming of it for a long time."
FIBA