The Chilean legion has been a key pillar in the international development of Torrejón Basketball Academy as a launch pad for talent, especially of Latin American origin. And what better way to delve into it, than talking to one of its current references. After graduating from TBS after finishing his Junior age group, Ignacio Ansaldo jumps into professional basketball and is having a very interesting rookie campaign in the Chilean National League playing for one of the teams at the top of the table, CD Valdivia. The best way to learn more about his context and to get to know the jumper Ansaldo is by making him the protagonist in the Interview of the Month.

Ignacio, greetings. You are chosen for the interview of the month, for our website, and it is good that technology brings us closer despite being ten thousand kilometres away. So let us see, tell us where Ignacio story with basketball begins? When does this sport "hook" you, say?

My beginnings with basketball were at school, when I was 14 years old and almost 15 with classmates at recess. We were going to play for a while and then I started to like it more and more, and I started going to train with Utopía Piratas. 

How did the option to come to Torrejón Basketball Academy arise? What is your balance of the experience, and how different was your training compared to your development in Chile:

The option starts from the fact that the Chilean national team went to prepare in Spain – before a FIBA ​​international tournament – ​​and they stayed in Torrejón. In that, the president of the Chilean Federation talks with David Sánz and they see the possibility that some prospect goes to play basketball in Torrejón, and that was me. The same that year was Nacho Correa, also Bastian Fernández. I think the experience helped me a lot, since I began to see basketball differently, no longer as just a game, but also as a future job, which is what I want to achieve.

What do you do off the court and what hobbies do you have?

I really like going out to see new places. I really like riding a bike, and playing Playstation (laughs).

What does Torrejón, the city, and the club mean to you?

Torrejón Basketball Academy for me is family. They helped me with everything when I needed it. The people of Torrejón are very good people and I hope to return one day to see them, because I already miss them.

Do you have future goals in basketball? Which ones specifically?

I would like to dedicate myself 100% to basketball. It is something that I would love and I am working every day to make that happen one day.

After your last Junior year, with a range of options you choose to go professional. You have had a first season in Valdivia with very relevant matches, especially for a rookie. How do you analyze the season so far, and the context of the club?

I am in a club that wants the championship, wants to win the league, and that helps me a lot, since I am training with a competitive friction that is not normal. Every day we are competing in training and little by little I am participating with the team in the games, and I am very happy to be able to help a team that wants to be in the best position in Chile.

Chilean national team… You have participated in youth categories, and so far, what does Cristian Santander tell you and what plans could there be for you knowing that you are one of the best young talents in the country?

I have not talked much with Cristian. The little I know is that we have a championship soon that is the Bolivarian Games, which is U-19. I was recently in training with the senior team, before the FIBA ​​window, and we talked a bit about what was coming for the U-19 team, not much more than that.

The feeling after a poster mate on top of someone? We have seen more than one during your time here… (laughs).

It is a euphoria that gives you more energy in the game, even seeing them from my teammates in Torrejón, we celebrated them as if they were ours and the energy was in the whole team.

Examples to follow in basketball? What players are you currently watching?

I have been really liking these players lately: DeMar DeRozan, Ja Morant, Jalen Green, Scottie Barnes.

A summary and advice for the next Chileans who choose to come and develop at Torrejón Basketball Academy:

In Torrejón they will always have the support of their teammates and people from the club to continue adding to their processes, and continue working hard for what they have in mind. For me, the two years I had in Torrejón were the best. The league requires you to have a very high level since you are competing against the best in Madrid, hence the best in Spain.