MoraBanc Andorra Sporting Director Takes Blame, Signs Sir'Jabari Rice Amid Slump

Francesc Solana, sporting director of MoraBanc Andorra, has taken responsibility for the team's disappointing season, with the club sitting antepenultimate in the ACB league on just five wins. In an interview at the club's Baixada del Molí offices, he stressed the need for patience with the squad to turn things around.

The team used the two-week international break productively. All players returned uninjured from national team duties, including regulars Rafa Luz (Brazil), Aaron Best (Canada), and Artem Pustovyi (Ukraine), plus Yves Pons on his debut call-up for France. Solana noted that such absences are routine for Andorra, which fields several international players, though African commitments had hit earlier windows harder with Ori Udeze, Precious Okoye, and Shannon Evans departing.

A key move was signing combo guard Sir'Jabari Rice from Czech side Nymburk, where Jerrick Harding had previously excelled before joining the ACB. Rice, a playmaker to back up Evans amid recent shortages, is available immediately for Saturday's home game against Zaragoza (8pm at Pavelló Toni Martí), coached by former Andorra boss Joan Plaza. Solana said the club had pursued Rice for weeks, once his BCL campaign allowed release. "He's talented and addresses our need for a second ball-handler," he explained.

The signing follows Xavier Castañeda's thigh injury, expected to sideline him for three more weeks. Castañeda had joined after Lleida rejected him over a shoulder tendinitis, which Andorra's medical staff cleared. Efforts to land others like Daryl Macon and Kassius Robertson fell through—despite a signed deal with Macon, his club blocked the release—highlighting mid-season market challenges. Solana pointed to competition from Asian leagues, G-League, and the lack of European games as factors making signings tough, especially in summer planning.

Reflecting on the roster built with coach Zan Tabak's input, Solana admitted it fell short of expectations by three or four wins. "We're not where we wanted to be," he said, acknowledging flaws exposed in matches despite competitive showings. He defended the group's potential but owned the missteps: "I'm responsible for many bets not working out." Still, he urged realism: wholesale changes mid-season won't help, and the focus remains on maximising current talent ahead of the second half.