Jaime Pradilla on Real Madrid under Pedro Martínez: “Run hard, pass quickly, compete for every title”

Real Madrid have just closed a trophy-less season. Instead of patching holes with short-term fixes, the club chose to redesign the entire machine. Pedro Martínez took over as head coach, and a wave of new signings arrived — players with European experience, G League backgrounds and national-team pedigree. Among the new faces, Jaime Pradilla is a special case: he is not just a roster addition, but the player who best understands the kind of basketball Pedro Martínez wants to build. Speaking to Eurohoops during the official EuroLeague Media Day, Pradilla did not hide his emotions upon joining one of the most demanding clubs in Europe: “I am excited and looking forward to these first weeks. I am impressed by everything here. I just want to start competing.” The answer was brief, but the more revealing part came next. Asked about the style Pedro Martínez will bring to Real Madrid, Pradilla did not hesitate. “Everyone knows Pedro. He likes a dynamic, joyful game. I believe that is what we are going to show,” Pradilla told Eurohoops. He added: “We are going to run a lot, pass the ball, and have many transitions. That is basketball that is fun for us and for the fans.” Pradilla’s answer shows that Pedro Martínez’s philosophy is not an abstract idea. Real Madrid had plenty of individual quality last season, but sometimes fell into a static attack against packed defenses. The new philosophy pushes a faster tempo and asks every player to run and pass before the opponent can set their defense. That is how Valencia Basket operated under Pedro Martínez, and Pradilla was a key piece in that system. The past season was a major step forward for Pradilla on a personal level. He won the ACB title with Valencia Basket and later reached the EuroLeague Final Four. Looking back, Pradilla believes the greatest value was not the awards but the growth: “I try to improve every year, a little bit every day. Those big games helped me mature and gain experience in decisive moments. I reached my first Final Four and played my second ACB final — all of that helps me arrive here with better preparation.” For Pradilla, Real Madrid is not the reward at the end of the road; it is the starting point of a new chapter. Competition in the frontcourt will be fierce in the white jersey. Real Madrid have brought in several big men with different profiles, and all of them can fit the new coach’s system. Pradilla, however, does not see that as pressure. He pointed out what he brings: “My dynamism, my energy, my positivity. I am ready to start and help in any way I can. If they ask me to do something different, I will be available to help the team.” In a team full of stars, players willing to sacrifice for the system are often the most important glue. Pedro Martínez’s style needs exactly that kind of player. One interesting question was whether Pedro Martínez has asked Pradilla to play a different role at Real Madrid compared to Valencia Basket. His answer was clear: “Basically, it is the same as we have been talking about. He wants a dynamic game with many transitions — that is what we are aiming for. I want to help my teammates. I know this system from before, so I can give my point of view and help them adapt as soon as possible.” That detail shows Pradilla is not just another newcomer. He is a tactical bridge and an extension of the coach on the floor. For a team that has just been assembled, having a player who already knows Pedro Martínez’s system can cut down the adjustment time dramatically. The atmosphere inside the team is also positive. Pradilla described the new group: “I see a group that is eager, excited to compete from the first day, and ready to fight for everything.” For Real Madrid after a year without silverware, those words are more than a motivational line. They are a statement of how the club views the new season: not about coming back, but about reclaiming their place. At the end of the interview, Eurohoops asked Pradilla what he would like to see if they sat down again one year later. His answer showed the calm of a player entering the most mature phase of his career. “On a personal level, I want to keep taking steps forward, improving as a person and as a player, because that is what makes you grow every day,” Pradilla said. On trophies, he did not avoid the question: “On a team level, the competition will decide. Here, I know we are built to win every title. We are going to fight for all of them. Every season is difficult and the other big teams have strong rosters, but we will try to win everything we can.” Real Madrid will begin the journey in Abu Dhabi, where they will play in the EuroLeague Super Cup before the official season starts. It will be the first real test for a group that has been almost completely reshaped. Pedro Martínez has the right pieces. Jaime Pradilla is ready to be the guide on the court. The only thing missing is time for those pieces to become a real team. One year from now, Real Madrid will know whether they ran fast enough, passed often enough, and fought with the same endurance as the ambition Pradilla just described.