Yves Pons soon to return with Girona, struggling in Liga Endesa

At the bottom of Liga Endesa, Bàsquet Girona is going through a difficult season. In a context where results are not meeting expectations and roster adjustments remain limited, the return of two interior players, Yves Pons (1.97m, 25 years) and James Nnaji, could provide welcome reinforcement. Fernando San Emeterio, the club’s sporting director, confirmed their return to competition was imminent.

A struggling roster

Injured in November against Bilbao, Yves Pons underwent ankle surgery and has been absent for several months. James Nnaji hasn’t played since January 4th after an injury against Lleida. These absences have heavily impacted Girona’s roster, which lacks physical power in the paint and sufficient rotation to compete with direct rivals.

With these expected returns, Sergi Martínez could return to his natural position and Mindaugas Susinskas alternate between small forward and power forward positions.

🔙 Els precedents en fitxatges en el tram final de temporada són clars

🇺🇸 Gabe York i John Jenkins van aterrar a Girona quan la G-League va acabar la seva fase regular

✍🏻 @jantorrent41 https://t.co/i1izcXFyuB

— Girona Media (@GironaMedia) March 12, 2025

Limited recruitment and contested choices

Bàsquet Girona hasn’t strengthened its roster at this end of season, a decision justified by Fernando San Emeterio: « We won’t recruit just for the sake of recruiting. We won’t make any budgetary foolishness. » A statement that contrasts with the need to add talent to a struggling team (7 wins and 15 losses, 16th out of 18).

The previously discussed arrival of Michael Forrest from Pistoia won’t happen. The Italian club is asking for financial compensation to release their point guard, an amount Girona doesn’t want to pay. « Paying a release clause in March should be reserved for a very high-level player. Michael Forrest would have helped, but he’s not a player worth paying for, » analyzes Jan Torrent on Girona media.

Yves Pons needs to step up

Instead of recruiting in Europe, Girona might look to the United States when the G-League season ends in late March. The club has already used this strategy in the past with the arrivals of former Gravelines and Strasbourg players John Jenkins and Gabe York, who made valuable contributions. Jenkins, in particular, stood out with his outside shooting, an asset sorely missing this season.

As the relegation battle intensifies, Bàsquet Girona hopes that Pons and Nnaji’s return will be enough to revive the team. But without additional adjustments, the mission looks perilous as the 16th-placed team travels to Murcia this Saturday before hosting Gran Canaria next weekend.

Far from last year’s standards (8 points at 39% and 4.9 rebounds), Yves Pons is having a modest season so far with 4.4 points at 30% and 3 rebounds on average in only 7 games played.