The NCAA ‘steals’ another pearl from Real Madrid’s quarry

ByDavid Mitchell

The NCAAthrough the lucrative contracts it can offer thanks to NIL rights, continues to attract elite European talent. The (pen)last of them, Gunars Grinvalds18-year-old, 2.01 meter Latvian forward from the youth academy real Madridwho has committed to UCLA to play there next season.

Grinvalds debuted with the Madrid reserve team last season and this 2025-26 he made his debut with the first team led by Sergio Scariolo: On October 5, 2025 he played just over a minute (1:06″) against DreamLand Gran Canaria on the first day of the Endesa Leaguescoring 1 point.

Four days later, on October 9, he debuted in the Euroleague playing 48 seconds against ASVEL Villeurbanne, although he did not score.

In the Real Madrid youth team this season he won the title in the U League and led his team to the final of the NextGen Euroleague 2026, with an average of 13.2 points, 3.8 rebounds, 1.8 steals and 0.5 assists per game in Athens, although they could not avoid defeat in the title match against Barça, 85-77.

Internationally, Grinvalds has been a regular on his country’s national team, representing Latvia at both the 2023 FIBA ​​U16 European Championship and the 2024 FIBA ​​U16 EuroBasket, averaging 9.6 points and 4.6 rebounds in seven games in the latter event.

David Mitchell
David Mitchell

As a passionate sports journalist with over a decade of experience, I strive to uncover the heart and soul behind every game. Supported by a dedicated team of fellow enthusiasts and storytellers, I am committed to delivering insightful and engaging content that connects fans worldwide. Together, we celebrate the victories, challenges, and unifying spirit of sports through every article we craft.