"These are the normal viral illnesses that I think everyone is dealing with to a greater or lesser extent. Almost everyone on the team has already been through it, and now it is Nadia's (Fingall) turn," said Carlos Cantero, normalizing the situation. The coach of the red-and-black team faces a busy week with two league games against Gernika and Celta.
Despite her illness, the American forward attended Tuesday's practice, where Carlos Cantero must still assess with the player herself whether she will be fit to travel and compete. The coach, player and medical staff will therefore make a final decision before Casademont heads to the Basque Country on Tuesday afternoon.
After arriving in Zaragoza following her first WNBA experience this summer, Fingall has spent several days integrated into the Aragonese team and played a prominent role in both the Spanish Super Cup and the league opener against Estepona. In the latest game against the Andalusian side, the forward played 14 minutes and finished with seven points, three rebounds and an eight-point efficiency rating in a game that secured Casademont's first official win of the season.
THE LACK OF AVAILABLE PLAYERS
Fingall's situation means Carlos Cantero has still barely had any training sessions with all his players available. In fact, so far the red-and-black club has had only one practice with its full squad following the arrival of Ornella Bankolé, who joined at the end of last week and has made an immediate impact.
The French player was the MVP against Estepona in her Casademont debut this season and arrived in the Aragonese capital with significant competitive rhythm after her time in the WNBA, where she became a regular member of the Toronto Tempo. Her arrival gives Cantero's team another option, although Fingall's possible absence would once again force the coach to adjust his plans for the second league game.
