Fast-paced play designed to create open shots and Birutis’ dominance in the paint have become essential elements in winning games. Three-point shooting, in particular, has become the team’s main weapon. After years of being unable to score consistently from beyond the arc, Casademont Zaragoza has found the formula this season by bringing in specialists, with Justin Jaworski standing out in that role.
García de Vitoria’s team is proving to be a wall in the paint and is the fourth-best team in defensive rebounds, averaging 27.67 per game. Photo: ACB Photo/Esther Casas
The Rojillos are the ACB’s best team from three-point range, converting 44.19% of their attempts. They are also the third team that shoots most often from beyond 6.75 meters, with 12.67 attempts per game. These figures speak for themselves regarding the clear improvement in a weapon that has become indispensable for anyone aspiring to reach the top in modern basketball.
Bell-Haynes has been the most reliable from three-point range, making 63.6% of his shots, but Jaworski is the specialist in this area, converting more than 50% of his attempts and ranking second in the entire competition for three-pointers made, with 3.33 per game. Vives has also been fundamental in this regard, shooting 55.6%. Blumbergs, meanwhile, is below 40% but gives the Aragonese side a power forward capable of stretching the floor and providing another dangerous option from the wings.
TURNOVERS, THE AREA TO IMPROVE
The team is also building a very secure defensive rebounding unit, ranking fourth in the competition in this statistic with 27.67 rebounds per game. Gabriel Olaseni stands out, grabbing 7.67 per game and ranking fourth in defensive rebounds with 5.33. The British center has been essential in protecting the paint and preventing opponents from creating second-chance opportunities, serving as a pillar under the Rojillos’ basket.
The Rojillos are the third team that commits the most turnovers, averaging 15.33 per game. Photo: ACB Photo/Mónica Arcay
The main negative aspect is turnovers, as García de Vitoria’s team is the third in the ACB that gives up possession most often, with 15.33 per game. However, this number is also linked to Casademont Zaragoza’s intention to play at a very fast pace, with some of these turnovers directly related to quick movement in transition.
Olaseni leads the team in turnovers, as he needs to be more secure when handling the ball against opponents in the paint, averaging 3.3 per game. As expected, the next two Aragonese players on the list are Trae Bell-Haynes, with 2.7, and Guillem Vives, with 2.3. The two point guards spend more time with the ball in their hands and are responsible for organizing the offense, which explains why they rank next in turnovers.
The Aragonese team is accumulating plenty of positive arguments in a season designed to reignite the hopes of a fan base in need of joy after years spent under constant pressure.
