Simon Massamba

Simon Massamba is a young Swedish player currently at the Lucentum Basket Academy in Alicante, where he’s training in a pure basketball environment and taking the necessary steps to reach the professional level in the best possible way.

Thanks to the intervention of Ionut Georgescu, technical director of the Lucentum Alicante youth academy, we can chat with this 2009-born point guard who shares his experience in Alicante and his goals.

Juan Antonio Rodríguez (JA) – Hi Simon! How are you? Like your teammate Remi Stănescu, you’re currently at the Lucentum Academy. How does a young Swedish boy end up in a country like Spain and at an academy in Alicante? The challenge of coming to a foreign country is exciting, but what made you choose Lucentum Academy? What attracted you to the project and convinced you to join?

Simon Massamba (SM) – It all started with a childhood dream of playing abroad. After playing in a tournament in Tenerife against top teams like FC Barcelona, Real Madrid, and Bayern Munich, I received an offer from a Spanish academy to come and play for them. For me, there was no doubt, since I knew this would only be the beginning of my career. This summer I had the opportunity to come for a tryout at Lucentum. From the very first impression, I felt that Lucentum was the right place for me. Everything felt very professional and gave me the sense of a safe yet serious environment. But, above all, I felt welcome.

JA – At the family level, what did your parents say and what support did they give you to come to Spain?

SM – My parents have supported me since day one. They believe, just like I do, that this is the best thing for my development both as a player and as a person. They motivate me every day and are always there for me when I need them.

JA – What can Lucentum Academy offer you, and what can you bring to this project?

SM – Here at Lucentum, I have skills training in the morning and extra physical training to maximize my individual abilities. We also have psychological training to be mentally strong and well-prepared for the big moments.

JA – Life in Sweden must be very different from life in Alicante, especially because of the climate. What do you like most about Alicante, and what do you miss most about your country?

SM – Yes, the climate is a big difference, since the winters here feel almost like summer in Sweden. But the heat is something I’m not going to turn down. What I miss most about Sweden are my younger siblings, since I’m the oldest of six, so at nite it can feel pretty lonely. I also miss Swedish food: meatballs and potatoes are a must.

JA – This year you’re playing in the U18 European Championship with the national team. What are your team’s goals for this tournament, and what role do you expect to play?

SM – Our team is aiming for gold and nothing less. We have a very strong team with a lot of depth. But what makes us special is our team spirit, since we’re like one big family. That said, my role as point guard will be to be a leader on the court, lead by example, direct the game, and maximize our chances of winning.

JA – After recently turning 16, what challenges lie ahead for you, and what aspect of your game are you focusing on to improve?

SM – I focus a lot on my offensive skills, working on everything from my shooting percentage off the dribble—both from mid-range and from the three-point line—to various finishes around the basket with both hands. But my main focus is studying basketball, analyzing my own games and watching how the professionals play, in order to have the best possible understanding of the game.

JA – Who are your role models and who do you admire to become a better player?

SM – My role models are my parents, because I know how hard they work for our family. I also admire Mike James, a small point guard in Monaco, but despite his size he’s still one of the best in Europe, and I try to model my game after his.

We will be keeping a close eye on the progress of this young talent and on how the Lucentum Academy grows, and we thank Ionut for making it so easy to chat with his young players.