The drama of Javier Jústiz after knee injury

February 1, 2022

Javier Justiz, Cuban pivot for Casademont Zaragoza, appeared last Thursday to explain his situation regarding the knee injury that has kept him off the court. Accompanied by the club's sports director, Pep Cargol, and supported by manager Javier Gastón, he revealed that doctors see his return to the court as impossible, although the Cuban pivot refuses to put an end to his career.

"I'm not going to play again this season, the doctors tell me it's impossible to return but I don't want to put a period at the end, I'm going to keep trying, I hope they invent something they can put on me. I have the hope and the dream but my knee is not responding as it should".

"I'll take advantage of what's left of the season, in which I'm still linked to the club and the resources I have for day-to-day life, which I wouldn't have in Cuba, to see how my knee progresses and if it puts the final period for me".

"It's been quite hard. I looked for a sports psychologist because I didn't see an option on my own, it helped me a lot and I continue working with him. It's been tough because sometimes I arrived crying at the locker room but in the end I went out and I continue working and making the most of the time".

"To the club mainly, to the medical team, physiotherapists, trainers, to the club's management for the professionalism they show me day by day and that help me. I want to give special thanks to Reynaldo Benito, who makes me feel part of the Club, that's why I come to support the team from the bench corner, and still with the dream of returning even though I know what the reality is. And thanks to the fans who ask me on the street or at the game, it helps me still feel part of the Club".

His project to become a coach

"I enrolled in the coaching course to see if I can be one someday and I'm doing internships with the Foundation, with the EBA, and I hope to advance to the next level. I feel comfortable with the guys and they feel encouraged, that also helps me".

His future in Zaragoza

"I've settled into the city and, if the final period comes, I would like to continue linked to the club. I'm planning to stay to live in Zaragoza".

Previously, sports director Pep Cargol reviewed the entire process and the moments that have marked the last three years in Javier Justiz's life. Deadlines, tests, recoveries and each of the stages he has completed since problems began in the 18-19 season, which extended into 19-20, the subsequent surgery, the return, the pandemic and rehabilitation at his house alone during that period to get through it and his brief return in 20-21.

Cargol emphasized that Javier Justiz "has played during the last two and a half to three years with permanent pain and the effort he has made is very great", he stressed. Last summer, he commented, there was consideration for a loan to Peñas Huesca but ultimately it was not possible and "since September until today he continues working to get back in shape but medical reports say he cannot play basketball, he's on leave without a space where he could return", he clarified.

Finally, he wanted to publicly highlight "the professionalism, the desire, the interest and the effort he has made to recover and help the team" at all times, he concluded.