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    Pau Torrens Riera: Confidence at Lleida allowed me to show what I can do

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    By on Interviews, News, Rising Stars
    Pau Torrens Riera, Lleida player
    Basketball Sphere
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    Pau Torrens Riera spoke to Basketball Sphere about his promising career and future ambitions.

    A promising Spanish basketball player born in 2007 is dominating the Liga U, where he has stood out as one of the competition’s top scorers.

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    Early Beginnings and Role Models

    At the start of the interview, Pau Torrens Riera reflected on the moment he fell in love with basketball and understood that it would become a central part of his career, not just a pastime.

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    ,,I remember that period with great affection. I started playing basketball at Bahia San Agustin, mainly because I used to watch my older brother play and spent hours trying to imitate him. Although my father preferred that I follow his path in football, I always felt more connected to basketball. I loved having the ball in my hands and shooting over and over again, so much so that I often preferred going to practice rather than attending birthday parties.

    Over time, I realized that basketball was no longer just a hobby, but something I wanted to take seriously. I began training harder, demanding more from myself, and understanding the importance of daily work.”

    Pau Torrens Riera also reflected on the role model who inspired him during the early stages of his career.

    ,,The first player I truly looked up to was Pau Tendero, who is also my godfather. His talent was and still is enormous, and when I was young, my dream was to play like him. I was also greatly influenced by Rudy Fernandez. From a very early age, I attended several of his basketball camps, and for me, he was a true idol. Both of them played a major role in shaping my understanding of the game and motivating me to improve every day.”

    Valencia

    You spent the previous four seasons in the youth system of Valencia. What experiences did you take from that period, and what memories does that stage of your career leave you with?

    ,,At Valencia, I learned and grew tremendously, both as a player and as a person. I arrived in Valencia when I was just 13 years old, after my family made a very important decision: my parents and siblings left our entire life in Mallorca to move to Valencia so I could have the opportunity to train and develop as a basketball player. At that age, they didn’t want me to be alone and I am a very family-oriented person so without them by my side, I wouldn’t have been able to handle it.

    That sacrifice deeply shaped my approach to the sport. Everyone changed their lives to support me, and that gave me a strong sense of responsibility and motivation to work at my maximum every day and prove that the effort was worth it.

    From a basketball perspective, I had the chance to compete in local, national, and international tournaments such as the Adidas Next Generation Tournament, Spanish Championships, and competitions with the national team. On an individual level, one of the most important experiences was being selected for the Junior NBA, first in Rome and later in Abu Dhabi, which helped me grow a lot both on and off the court.

    Valencia gave me a strong foundation as a player, but above all, I take with me the friendships I built during those years, which I am sure will last a lifetime” – Pau Torrens Riera said.

    A Leadership Role in Lleida

    After leaving Valencia, Pau Torrens Riera made the move to Lleida, where he quickly established himself as a true leader on the court.

    ,,The trust the club showed in me and the role they offered. I felt it was the right place to continue developing, take on more responsibility on the court, and make a step forward in my career” – Torrens explained, addressing his decision to join the new club.

    Across his last eight appearances, Pau Torrens poured in 184 points for Lleida, an average of 23 per game, emerging as the league’s leading scorer.

    ,,I’m very happy about it. I have always had a natural scoring ability, but over time I’ve learned that this depends greatly on the context – the team, and the coach’s trust to allow you to show it. At Lleida, I’ve been fortunate to receive that confidence and to demonstrate what I can do. This achievement motivates me to keep working at the highest level and to prove that I can still give much more and continue contributing to the team.”

    What are your personal ambitions for the remainder of the season?

    ,,To keep growing as a player, become more consistent, and contribute to the team in every game. My goal is to finish the season as a better player than when I started it and to be ready for new challenges.”

    Liga U

    How do you assess the level of the U League, and how much do you think it will contribute to the development of young Spanish players?

    ,,At first, I wasn’t sure what to expect from the U League and thought the level might be much lower, perhaps not offering as much room for improvement. However, it has surprised me very positively.

    I believe it is a very competitive league and a key platform for the development of young players in Spain, as it provides real minutes, responsibility, and a genuine transition toward professional basketball, which is extremely valuable for player development.”

    What are your next plans and ambitions in your career?

    ,,My idea is to continue progressing step by step, establish myself as a player, and be ready for professional and international opportunities. Right now, my focus is on improving every day, continuing my development, and making the most of every opportunity that comes my way.”

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