Alex Len welcomes move to Real Madrid: “It means everything”
· EurohoopsAfter 12 years in the NBA, 32-year-old Alex Len jumps to the EuroLeague with Real Madrid
By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
With Real Madrid officially welcoming him on Thursday, Alex Len shared his first impressions on Realmadrid TV.
“It means everything. It’s a great honor,” he said on signing with the EuroLeague powerhouse, “It’s a club with a rich history that spans years. Anyone would love to be part of Real Madrid. When you see Real Madrid on your chest, it means a lot. It’s one of the most important clubs in Europe. I’ve been following it for a long time. It’s an honor to be part of something as special as Real Madrid.”
“To win as many games as we can, championships, ACB, Euroleague,” he went into his goals for the 2025-26 season, “What I bring to Real Madrid is a player with defensive presence, toughness, who plays hard and helps his teammates. I’m going to do whatever the coach asks me to do. I just want to help the team win games, that’s the most important thing.”
The 32-year-old Ukrainian center suited up for 704 NBA games over the last 12 years, since being drafted by the Phoenix Suns with the fifth overall pick in 2013.
“I’m an experienced player who has played for several teams and coaches. I’ve played against the best players every day for the last 12 years. So I think I can bring something to the table and help the team,” said Len.
The challenge with Madrid combines Europe’s top-tier club competition with Spain’s Liga Endesa, the strongest domestic league on the continent.
“I’ve heard a lot about the ACB, one of the best leagues outside the NBA. The Euroleague is a great competition and a new start for me. Coming from the NBA, I see it as a new chapter, a new beginning. I have to give my best in different settings, and I’m looking forward to playing in the Euroleague,” he mentioned.
A former teammate at the Sacramento Kings, Trey Lyles, previously joined Los Blancos in September.
“I spoke to him a little bit a couple of weeks ago. I called him when I was thinking about coming here. He only told me good things, and it clearly helped me make my decision,” revealed Len.
“A very intelligent player”
In the postgame press conference following a win over Fenerbahce Beko in Movistar Arena, in Round 8 of the EuroLeague Regular Season, Sergio Scariolo discussed the addition of the former NBA player.
“He’s a very intelligent player. He gives us depth where we need it,” mentioned the 64-year-old Italian play-caller.
With Len expected to soon debut, the team coached by Scariolo is currently focused on ACB Regular Season Round 5 and an away game versus Casademont Zaragoza on Sunday. From there to a clash with archrival FC Barcelona in Palau Blaugrana, in EuroLeague Round 9 next Friday.
The continental W-L tally stands at 4-4, with the domestic league record at 3-1.