FCBARCELONA.CAT

03.07.2007 19:34

A whole life at Barça

Cristina Collado

Juan Carlos Navarro climbed up through the youth ranks at FC Barcelona, and made his first team debut aged just 17. Since then he has been a regular member of the first team and has won just about every major title he could have.

Juan Carlos Navarro already has an amazing career behind him as he now makes his move to America. Born in Sant Feliu, FC Barcelona has played a central role in everything he has achieved so far in his life. And what a lot he has achieved.

Debut aged 17 years

After starting out with his local club CB Santfeliuenc, Navarro was almost immediately snapped up by FC Barcelona, who spotted a major talent in the young teenager. He played for the club at each age level as he worked his way up to the first team aged just 17 years. He made his ACB debut on November 23, 1997 under head coach Joan Montes.

But that first season he divided his time between the first team and the reserves, and it was not until the 1999-00 season, with the side managed by Aíto García Reneses that Navarro became a permanent fixture in the first team.

Europe and consolidation

Despite his young age, Juan Carlos Navarro soon become one of the most popular players in the squad. If anything, this became even more the case on arrival of new coach Svetislav Pesic, and this was when ‘La Bomba' really came into his own. In 2002-03 everything fell into place, as FC Barcelona not only won the ACB League but also their first ever Euroleague, and on home ground, at the Palau Sant Jordi.

In the 2003-04 season, Juan Carlos Navarro continued his progress, reconquering the league and playing 30 minutes a game. And although the trophies were thinner on the ground the following season, Barça only won the ACB Super Cup and the Catalan League, La Bomba was still on fine form as team leader.

Final season

A world champion with the national team, Juan Carlos Navarro has been the reference point for the club for several seasons. He has consolidated that role this year in an excellent season at home and in Europe. He was named in the ACB and the Euroleague’s All Star teams, although on a team level, the year has ended in further disappointment. Despite some great hoops, all Barça got to show for it was the Copa del Rey triumph over Real Madrid in the winter.

Top scores

Juan Carlos Navarro has accumulated a host of records in a decade at the Palau Blaugrana. He is third in the all-time ACB appearances list on 365, behind only Epi (421) and de Andrés Jiménez (376). Navarro leads FC Barcelona in all-time ACB assists, with 805. He has the second highest all-time scoring record in Spain, on 4,604. His personal best was on October 3, 2005, when he scored 36 against Pamesa Valencia.