Joel Parra talks BWB Global Camp and his basketball journey

Joel Parra is 2000 born Forward prospect with a lot of experience on National Team who is playing for Joventut Juniors and Arenys in EBA Liga. He’s having an amazing 2017/2018 season and recently was named to All-Tournament Teams in L’Hospitalet at AdidasNGT as well as in Los Angeles at Basketball Without Borders camp coorganized by FIBA & NBA. Also, he already made his debut in the ACB and is undoubtedly one of the best gems on Joventut’s pool.

In general, how was your experience in Los Angeles at BWB Global Camp?

My experience in Los Angeles was really nice. I think I’ve been able to improve a lot as a player. That’s kind of experience you never forget.

What about the level of competition? How do you feel after being elected as part of the All-Tournament Team?

The level of competition was great, there you face the best players of my age who all have lots of qualities and amazing physics.

Honestly, being elected to the All-Tournament Team does not signify a lot beside that I’m on the right way. But obviously, I’m very happy with the award, not everyone can tell they have been elected to the All-Tournament Team in Los Angeles.

What were the drills during practices? Was it any different than in Europe?

Exercises were divided into three different parts: First was a shooting competition between Europe, Africa, Asia, and America. Secondly, we got divided between Guards, Forwards, and Centers, there we made an hour about individual work. Lastly, they organized a league with four teams where we played 16-minute games.

Do you know your results from athletic testing?

Not really. Honestly, we made lots of them but they didn’t tell any of the results

Is there anyone who surprised you? With who did you spend most of the time?

I already knew lots of the players from the Jordan Brand Classic in Brooklyn or the world championship in Zaragoza, so I almost knew everyone. I spent most of the time with Carlos Alocen, Vit Krejčí, Arturs Kurucs, Luka Šamanić and the three guys from Argentina.

What will you remember the most about this trip?

The training facilities in Los Angeles and for sure the All-Star game was an absolutely awesome experience.

How is your Junior Joventut’s season going so far?

Season with Junior is going quite well. We keep growing as a team and we’re on the first spot in the league. But actually, the thing we’re focusing the most is Catalonian championship as well as on the Spanish one. And undoubtedly Final Four in Belgrade

Which differences do you see between playing at EBA league with Arenys and in Junior?

What I feel has more difference is the quickness on Junior’s gameplay. On the other hand, EBA is all more static. Also, the slyness of the veteran players in EBA is hard to be found among juniors.

What were your feelings on the ANGT’s final winning against, for lots of people, the favourite team to take the crown?

It was a complicated tournament since we faced lots of good teams. It was hard for us to reach the finals because we faced Gran Canaria at first tournament game. Then in the final against Barça was a really tied game but we made a huge effort to play well the entire 40 minutes so at the end we could get the win.

What are your expectations for the Final Four in May on the ANGT? Is there any player you’re motivated to play against?

The expectations for the team is going to Belgrade and give our maximum. That’s the tournament where not everyone is able to play. We know that it will be really difficult but good result can be a great memory before we start our professional careers.

Not really, I’m not hyped to face any specific player, I just want to go to Belgrade and help my team in all aspects.

At which position do you see yourself playing full-time in future?

On this aspect, I had many changes. I came from being a Center to a Power Forward. But already for two seasons, I have moved to Small Forward. I struggled to get comfortable on this spot on the beginning but I think is the best position for me. Anyways I know I need to keep growing as SF.

What are the things you’re trying to improve about your game?

I’m trying to improve on everything; outside shooting where I’m getting more confident. I’m also trying to improve my decision-making, knowing when to shoot, when to pass, when going to the rim… But the main point is enhancing my defense, I need to get better overall when I have to defend smaller players who are faster and got handles.

Do you happen to practice with Joventut’s senior team?

Yes, I do, I got a working dynamic with the senior team. Mondays are my resting days where I just go to study. Tuesdays I train on mornings and afternoons with the senior team. Wednesdays I go to the school on the morning, then I train with Junior and when it finishes I go to Arenys to train with EBA team. Thursdays it’s the same that Tuesdays but once I finish afternoon’s training with the senior team I also go to Arenys. Then on Fridays, I go to the school in the morning, then at 4 pm I got technical training and at 7 pm starts Junior’s training. Then on the weekend, I have games with Junior and EBA teams

Where do you see yourself playing in 5 years?

That’s really hard to know because you never know what will happen in the future, but actually I would like to play in an ACB professional team, can be here in Badalona or anywhere else. But I would like to be in the ACB.

Thumbnail Photo: Marca