Unicaja’s Ibon Navarro Returns to Andorra
Ibon Navarro had taken MoraBanc Andorra to new heights in their history. From 2018 to 2022, he had established the team from the Principality as a force to be reckoned with in the ACB, aiming higher rather than lower. They reached the semifinals in the Copa del Rey and Eurocup, made it to the playoffs, and secured victories against top teams. However, things took a turn in the following season.
A Lesson Learned
Upon his arrival in Malaga, Navarro reflected on his time in the Principality and the lessons he learned, which he now tries to apply at Unicaja. «Personal relationships wear out over time, which is normal when you spend many years together. It allowed me to get to know myself better. I know what should have been changed; it has been a lesson for me. Having so many new starting players who were competing in the ACB for the first time was a significant handicap. Four years is a long time, especially with the same players; the message can become repetitive. It’s a matter of personal relationships, always hearing the same voice. There is wear and tear, and that’s what happened. It has been a lesson for improvement because I am 45 years old and don’t have as much experience as other coaches,» he honestly explained upon his arrival in Malaga.
A Season of Ups and Downs
That season ended with MoraBanc Andorra’s relegation. At the end of January, a crucial moment in Unicaja’s history occurred. A coincidence sparked a cycle that seemed solidly on track to become one of the club’s best. On January 23, 2022, Ibon was dismissed. He was a coach followed by Juan Rodríguez, the sports director, who shared the same vision of an ideal Unicaja. On February 6, Fotis Katsikaris ceased to be the coach after a defeat in Zaragoza, which left the team far from the playoffs and confirmed a critical moment. Ibon arrived in Malaga, turned the situation around, and prevented further risks, although the team faltered in the final stretch of the season, ending with six consecutive losses. Nevertheless, Rodríguez’s idea remained intact after witnessing it firsthand: Ibon was his man. His intuition did not fail him.
A Happy Return
Less than two years later, Ibon returns to Andorra as a coach for the first time, facing MoraBanc happily back in the ACB. He was content in the Principality, expressing himself perfectly in Catalan, and the fans embraced him as a beloved coach. From that temporary coincidence, both Unicaja and MoraBanc benefited. It was a period of personal and professional growth, filled with fond memories and a reunion in the Pyrenean arena after reaching the milestone of 100 games with the Malaga club, becoming an icon.
