Welcome Mr.Guàrdia 'or an American parentheses Terrassa in the NCAA
Roger Guardia (Terrassa, 1985) was formed in the lower categories of Terrassa Sferic coming to play in the first team in the 2003-04 season until the CN Sabadell joined a year later in Catalunya Cup he played in two good seasons coming to challenge the ascent phase of EBA League. Hence the Sant Pere, when the club competed in Terrassa EBA League, and again at CN Sabadell to become a regular rotation of the disappeared UB Sabadell (EBA) in linked condition. That same year, 2007-08, signed at midseason by the late Ruby Basket Catalunya Cup and, until his recent signing by the CB Mollet (EBA), has enjoyed a hiatus of three years living and life experiences beyond baloncestísticas Atlantic where? in the NCAA, the Mecca of American college basketball.
Across the pond is a dream I always had in mind. Although it is not until summer 2007, when we go with my family to visit a friend, a professor at the University of Chicago, who officially speak of the possibility of leaving.
Your first experience was at the Cuesta Community College in California. How was your first season in the American basketball and how you came to this institution?
From the ability to go play in Chicago, I contacted an agency that was college scholarships for Spanish students and that's when I asked about costs. My first season was to adapt. I minutes but my contribution to the team was not too bright. I did large numbers and my performance was pretty mediocre.
And off the track? What did you find most striking cultural level in your first contact with the 'American Way of Life'?
You get to a new continent and see that there are things differently. I hit a lot of people's eating habits. There can not go to a restaurant during the week and eat for 10 or 15 dollars. Or go to a restaurant good and you spend $ 50, or go to a fast food, which makes the majority. In supermarkets, the food is expensive, and people eat out more cost effective to let them fast and wrong at home. It is a land of many contrasts.
After your first year you are serious costs to return home. What reasons led you to planteártelo and what finally pushed you renew by the California Junior College?
There were several reasons that made me think about whether to return or not. I had a great season and I'm a bit disappointed. On the other hand the fact of going to America, is a financial investment, although it had a small grant from the university. Almost all Europeans who had been on the team (9) turned for home, so the equipment and environment changed radically in the next season. The truth is that there were many questions but I had a thorn that could have given more. So I went back to prove to myself that I could get a scholarship to a large university in NCAA first division.
