The acb pays tribute to Rafa Martínez for his career
The league bid farewell to Rafa Martínez, one of the most emblematic players of recent years and of the competition, with great applause. Martinez has put an end to a successful career in the ranks of BAXI Manresa.
On Friday, acb basketball gave a last big round of applause to Rafa Martínez, one of the most emblematic players of recent years in the competition and who has just put an end to his career in the ranks of BAXI Manresa.
The acb has paid tribute to Rafa Martínez in a beautiful ceremony at its headquarters in Barcelona, which has been shared with family and friends, but also with the clubs where he has played and all the basketball institutions.
A unanimous and heartfelt applause to a dream career: 19 acb seasons that have enjoyed in Manresa (in three stages, including the debut and his last two years), Valencia Basket, lifting the Endesa League and Endesa Supercup title in 2017, and Bilbao Basket in the difficult 2020 hit by the pandemic.
In the farewell of acb basketball he has been sheltered by the main supporters of his career, his wife Olatz and his children Paula and Adur, by his parents Angelita and Santiago, but also by coaches like Pedro Martínez and Joan Peñarroya, former teammates like Fernando San Emeterio, Roman Montañez, Juan Carlos Navarro, Sam Van Rossom, Jordi Trias, Yankuba Sima, Dani Garcia, Guillermo Jou, Sergi Vidal, Albert Miralles, Toni Naspler, Marc Peñarroya, Baloncesto Manresa (Josep Sáez, Carlos Sixto and Xevi Pujol), Valencia Basket (Víctor Luengo) and Bilbao Basket (Isabel Iturbe), and representing basketball institutions Carlos Jiménez (FEB), Alfonso Reyes (ABP), Juan Maria Gavaldà (AEEB), Carles Marco (SINEB) and Jordi Aliaga (AEBA).
Rafa Martinez was very moved by the event and was very grateful for the affection received: «Thank you very much to the acb for this nice tribute. It has been a pride and an honour to play for so many years in the best league in Europe. I only have words of thanks».
The historic player took stock of his career, showing his gratitude to each of the teams he played for since his formative years, highlighting his connection with the three teams whose jerseys he defended in the Endesa League. «Thanks to Valencia for eleven great seasons, I keep the affection of the fans and the club. Also Bilbao Basket, where despite only being there for one year, it became a very special place both professionally and personally. And Manresa, the club where I grew up and where I felt a sense of belonging. I could not have had a better end to my career: at home, in front of my family and having a historic season».
For his part, the president of the Acb Antonio Martín highlighted the importance of the honoree. It was not just another event:«I have seen many tributes over the years, but I am especially happy. The response of the people describes who Rafa Martínez is, it seems more like a birthday party for a friend than a tribute».
Rafa is the prototype of the team sportsman and the mark he has left is the most important thing: «this way of doing things is what will matter and will mark his future in life», he concluded.