MoraBanc Andorra Signs Owen Aquino as First 2026-27 ACB Forward

Owen Aquino, the 23-year-old Spanish ala-pivot of Dominican origin born in Madrid in 2003, has become MoraBanc Andorra's first signing for the 2026-27 ACB season. The 2.03-metre, 104-kilo forward, who came through Real Madrid's youth ranks, joins after finishing his NCAA career at High Point University.

During his final year with the High Point Panthers, Aquino started all 36 games, posting averages of 9.3 points, 5.8 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 1.1 steals, and 1.7 blocks per game. He shot 54.3% from the field and an impressive 44.4% from three-point range—uncommon efficiency for his size—while accumulating 87 assists, 41 steals, and 60 blocks. He notched 18 double-figure scoring games, including a high of 18 points against Charleston Southern, a double-double of 17 points and 12 rebounds versus Radford, five blocks against USC Upstate, and four steals with 12 points and 10 rebounds in another matchup against the same opponent. These contributions helped High Point claim the Big South Conference title for the second straight year and secure the program's first-ever NCAA tournament victory over Wisconsin, highlighted by his game-sealing block with two seconds left.

Aquino's US journey began at Eastern Florida State College in 2023-24, where he averaged 14.9 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 4.4 assists, earning Citrus Conference Player of the Year and NJCAA All-America first-team honours en route to a 27-5 record. He then transferred to Liberty University for 2024-25, starting every game with 8.6 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks.

As a jugador de formació local (JFL, or "cupo") under Liga Endesa regulations, Aquino offers key roster flexibility. Club leaders value his physical presence, court-running ability, rebounding energy, playmaking, perimeter threat, defensive range across positions, and growth potential, aligning with the new sporting project under director Jordi Ardèvol and head coach Zan Tabak, who extended his contract through 2028. The signing marks a strategic pivot toward young, competitive talents poised for ACB breakthroughs, drawing from Ardèvol's expertise in the North American market.

Internationally, Aquino earned gold with Spain's U16 team at the 2019 European Championship in Italy, alongside future stars like Juan Núñez, and has remained active in the Spanish Basketball Federation's youth programmes. Reports initially advanced by RTVA portray the deal as imminent, with outlets confirming it barring last-minute changes.