MIES (Switzerland) - Izan Almansa could be considered the most successful youth player in world basketball last summer - winning the MVP award at both the FIBA U17 Basketball World Cup 2022 and FIBA U18 European Championship 2022. Yet, the Spanish forward feels he is even better and more confident as he leads Spain into a tough road at the FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup 2023.

Almansa took home the MVP trophy at the U17 World Cup even though Spain finished second to USA. But the 2005-born forward guided Spain to the title at the U18 European Championship.

"It was a great run. I’m proud of what we did in both tournaments. We did a great job defensively and we stayed together the whole time. I think that having everyone on the same page about our goals was what made the difference between us and the other teams," said Almansa, who averaged 12.1 points, 11.9 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 1.1 steals and 1.6 blocks at the U17 World Cup. "When Pau Gasol gave me the MVP award, it was a great memory. I'll never forget that moment."

Almansa was the only 2005-born player among Spain's U18 European team, which played their first game 20 days after Almansa finished with the U17 World Cup Final. But that didn't have an impact on him.

"The transition was easy, I already knew most of my teammates so I was excited about seeing them again. From the moment I got to the training camp I felt that everyone was ready to help me on anything I needed," said Almansa, who averaged 15.7 points, 10.7 rebounds, 1.6 steals and 1.1 blocks at the continental tournament. "Also the coaching staff told me that I didn't need to do anything different from what I did with the U17 team: just keep being myself and just be able to help the team as much as possible."

After the U18 tournament, Almansa returned to the United States and played a second season on the Overtime Elite circuit. And he helped his team YNG Dreamerz reach the championship series, losing to the City Reapers.

 "Personally comparing to the last season I feel that this year I had more confidence in my game and I ended up being 100 percent myself on and off the court. Also I feel that I have improved a lot on my game," he said.

Ambition, improvement, more confidence and strong team chemistry is one thing. But it is still hard to reach the podium - as Spanish basketball fans well know. The last time the Iberians were on the podium was 1999 when the aforementioned Gasol and Juan Carlos Navarro guided the country to their only title.

Juan Carlos Navarro in 1999

"That makes me think how difficult is it to win a medal at the U19 World Cup and that you have to be ready to do your best in every game of the tournament if you want to get one," Almansa said.

After two top-two finishes and two MVP awards, the basketball world is anxious to see what Almansa does as an encore this summer.

FIBA