Interview with Xavi Fernández: “I forced my exit from Barça, and I still don’t know if it was the right decision or not”
From Underdog to Pro
Xavi Fernández didn’t exactly waltz into the elite basketball scene. Nope, he took the scenic route. As a junior playing for Joventut, his talent was overlooked, and he got shown the door. But hey, sometimes life hands you a curveball, and for Xavi, getting the boot turned out to be the best thing ever. He set his sights on becoming a pro and boy, did he crush that goal! After becoming a local legend by leading Elosúa León to ACB promotion, Xavi hit Barcelona in the 94/95 season, setting the stage between two Spanish basketball icons, Epi and Juan Carlos Navarro. Standing tall at 1.94m, his shooting skills and game intelligence made him one of ACB’s finest shooters. But Xavi wasn’t just a long-range sniper; he was the complete package who knew how to help his team snag those important victories, whether they were gunning for the league title or just trying to avoid relegation.
What’s Buzzing in Your Life Now?
So what’s keeping Xavi busy these days? “I’m with Basket Girona nowadays. After spending 15 years at Uni Girona with the women’s team, we’ve just had a big shake-up and merged with Basket Girona, which is Marc Gasol’s ACB team. My role remains pretty much the same—managing female team sponsors. Not too shabby, right?”
Did You Ever Coach?
Xavi chuckles when asked if he was ever a coach. “That was a short stint! A few years back during a crisis at Uni Girona, I took over the team for a couple of months, but let’s be real—I’m not cut out to be a coach. I do love teaching the basics and helping players with shooting techniques, but committing to a life of coaching? Nah, that’s not me. I’ve got mad respect for those who do, but it’s a grind!”
Comparing Women’s and Men’s Basketball
When it comes to basketball, Xavi hopes to see fewer disparities, especially in resources and opportunities. “We’re still miles apart in Spain where football reigns supreme. Whether it’s men’s or women’s basketball, they’re just not pulling the same viewership and support. The women’s game is still lagging far behind the men’s. Progress has begun, but we need to step up our game to match the hype!”
Getting Started in Basketball
Xavi reminisces about his early days. “I kicked things off in the youth leagues of Hospitalet. Picture this—I lived near a sports hall and back then, it was all about the court time. No gaming consoles or cell phones! Kids these days have it easy with gadgets, but we spent our days shooting hoops in the sun. I played tons of games every weekend, which really kicked my progress up a notch!”
Family Roots
“My dad’s from Galicia and my mum’s from Cantabria. They were immigrants looking for a better life in Hospitalet. My dad was up at 5 am working hard while my mum cleaned houses to pay for our education. They are my heroes!”
Did You Know You Were Good?
When it came to his skills, Xavi remarks, “I figured out I was good at certain things and not so great at others. Physically, I sometimes wished I had more stamina and size to keep up. My buddies used to joke that I was right at the top for hands but totally at the bottom for legs! I learned to outsmart opponents with strategy instead of brute strength. It’s pretty cool looking back at how far I’ve come, taking the long road to success—I made it eventually!”
Journey with Joventut
Xavi shares, “I was a young hopeful at Hospitalet before moving on to Joventut Badalona, getting just a taste of the elite. I remember playing alongside some incredible talent in tough competitions. It was a blessing to learn from top-level coaches like Pedro Martínez. I had some great times there, but my path was destined for a longer route, involving a few hiccups along the way. Ultimately, I ended up at Caixa Sabadell and then Santa Coloma, where things started to click!”
The Tough Break at Joventut
“Getting cut from Joventut was a tough pill to swallow. But Pedro told me with so much care, it turned out to be a blessing in disguise. While it was painful, I learned a ton from great players and that really helped hone my skills for what was next. Each setback built me up to stay determined!”
Playoffs and New Beginnings
“Playing against Elosúa León in promotion playoffs was intense; they knocked us down to second division, but a few months later, I got a shot at making my pro debut there, and it changed everything for me!”
The Beginning in León
“I was signed by Ramón Fernández, who is like a wizard in the Spanish basketball scene. My first year at León was unforgettable, and we scored a promotion together!”
Memorable Free Throws
“Ah, the free throws against Andorra! That was the craziest moment! We were down by three with just seconds left and somehow grabbed the ball back. I sunk a three-pointer and was fouled, getting three free throws at a crucial moment of the game. Made all three, we went to overtime and won! It was wild!”
The Final Showdown
“Winning the final against Llíria for the ACB promotion in Lugo was a euphoric moment! Imagine the energy from countless León fans crowded into the plaza celebrating with us. Those moments stick with you!”
Recognizing the Rookie
“In my first ACB year, I was named best rookie by Gigantes del Basket! It was overwhelming, but beyond just the recognition, it was a testament to our team’s hard work and our ambitions. We aimed to become a strong ACB contender!”
Beautiful León Memories
Xavi smiles, reminiscing how León felt like home. “At 20, playing there was my first real experience away from home, and I became attached to the city. But as I grew, opportunities like Barcelona came knocking, and I had to take that leap of faith!”
Barça Dreams
“Of course, the offer from Barça was a dream come true! There were a few other teams showing interest, but Barça was my ultimate goal. Transitioning there brought even more excitement and pressure! But I managed to thrive with an amazing generation of teammates!”
ACB Success Story
“Five seasons at Barça, four league titles and a Korac Cup later, what was missing? The elusive EuroLeague title! Our team aimed for it, but sometimes you just can’t catch a break, right? But hey—no complaints!”
Filling Some Big Shoes
Getting to follow in the footsteps of legends like Epi was surreal. “I wasn’t fazed though; rather, I enjoyed the motivation. It was about stepping up, supporting my teammates and the fans rather than letting pressures get to me!”
Rivalries Fuel the Fire
“The rivalry with Real Madrid was thrilling! Those games were electric! The chance to compete against giants like Sabonis or Bodiroga drove me to put on my best performance. Winning against them was a huge pride and unifying moment for us!”
Competing with the Best
“Playing with the likes of Epi and Sasha Djordjevic was inspiring! Every teammate had something special and taught me a lot. It was about learning from each star and contributing to the whole mission!”
The Young Guns—Navarro and Gasol
“I remember Pau and Juan Carlos walked in with so much confidence! Even at 16, their raw talent was incredible. The environment was selective—only the determined thrived!”
A Tough Year in Málaga
“Málaga was a struggle; the fit just wasn’t right for my style of play and it really took a toll physically. After a challenging year, I found myself looking for new opportunities, heading to Girona next. At least it was a shot at starting anew!”
The Decision to Leave
“Leaving Barça wasn’t easy, but I felt the need for a new direction in my career. I had options ranging from Málaga to my old clubs, but I wanted to explore new horizons, even if things got bumpy at times. It was all part of the adventure!”
Life Philosophy: Winning and Learning
Xavi sums it up perfectly. “In sports, like in life, you either win or learn. I’ve taken each moment, each game, lesson-wise, and applied it to not just basketball—and I believe that’s what helped flourish my career!”
The Personal Moments
“Even amidst all the competition, I cherished personal memories: from chess games during travels to our great camaraderie in locker rooms. All those little moments made my career uniquely valuable!”
Hello, Politics
“When it comes to the referendum in Catalonia, I was caught in a whirlwind. I stood up believing every citizen deserved a voice, no matter how tumultuous the circumstances. Democracy is for everyone, and dialogue is crucial, don’t you think?”
Finding My Voice
I promised to speak my mind. I’ve supported various parties, believing in the power of moral support for just causes. Catalonia’s history is filled with struggles, and I understand and respect people’s passionate beliefs—even if they differ from mine!”
My Name Game
Funny trivia—my jersey always said Xavi, pronounced with a ‘Ch’ in Catalonia. When I played in León, I was ‘Savi’, and at home, it was always Javi. It’s all good, just reflects who I am today!”
More Interviews Ahead!
“For more stories, check out my interviews with sports affiliates—there’s plenty more basketball banter to go around!”
