Sandro Kebadze

Tornike Shengelia signed a new contract with Barcelona. Georgian NT captain is getting ready for a new challenge and Barca really needs some fresh blood after a roller coaster season.  Team with one of the highest payroll in Europe, did not win Spanish championship. Barcelona got beaten in Euroleague block baster 2:3 by eventual finalist Monaco. And, Barcelona is on the ropes. With Shengelia in town, the future looks brighter, but this team needs more than just Toko signing.

There is a chance, that Barcelona, alongside another Spanish Giant Real Madrid are considering the closing of their youth academies. And, that is a huge hit for the Spanish basketball in all.

The reason for this was the growing interest of young players in the NCAA, where they can earn big money through upcoming contracts. In Spain, the though is, that the great teams, two titans of Spanish basketball saw their stars leave for NBA. And now, they see their young talents flying to NCAA as well.

The management of Barcelona is not happy with the fact, that they invest resources in players, including huge financial incomes, and later have no way to do anything about their transition to the NCAA.

So, Barcelona can no more focus on it’s farm system. All the team can do, is to rely on veterans, who can donate their talent from the get go. And it is a big risk, considering how unlucky was Barcelona in the last years of rich signings.

Toko brings class, image and experience. That alone can be enough for a team to move forward, but Barca is losing some ground not only in domestic league, but mostly in Euroleague. Some young teams, like Monaco are emerging and some old dogs still battle for a place under a sun.

They signed (probably) the best power forward in Europe, but the rest is up for the grabs.

Barcelona needs to react quick.

Or they will be dead and gone. Quick,

Only time will tell.