Two worlds come together at Carroll

HELENA, Mont. – It is just under 6,000 miles from Los Angeles to Madrid, Spain. It is not quite a quarter of the distance around the earth but the two cities might as well be on different planets. When you add Helena to the mix you might be talking about a different universe.

What brings these three cities together is basketball and two freshmen roommates on the Carroll college men’s basketball squad that come from two very different backgrounds.

Lorel Johnson comes from Los Angeles. He is a quick, 6-1 point/shooting guard. Alejandro Santos Piqueras is from Madrid. He is a 6-7 guard/forward who can pass like his fellow countryman Ricky Rubio.

These two seem different in every way but what brought them to Carroll was an opportunity. Johnson wanted a great education and a chance to broaden his horizons while playing hoops. Piqueras wanted to continue to play basketball and go to school, something that is hard to do in Spain.

"I wanted to try something different than L.A. and Helena is different," Johnson said. "I wanted to experience a new place for college. I can always go back to L.A. but I wanted to get away, at least for a while."

"I wanted to study in the U.S. because you can play basketball and study," Piqueras said. "In Spain you have to choose one or the other and I really wanted the opportunity to do both. I love basketball but I want to be prepared in case basketball doesn’t work out."

The annual average high temperature in Los Angeles is around 75 degrees. Madrid is a little cooler with average around 68 degrees. Helena on the other hand averages 58 degrees.

"I might change my mind when it gets cold but I really like Helena," Piqueras said. "The people are friendly and helpful. Something that really surprised me is sometimes when I walk from class to class there are deer walking around campus. That is something I couldn’t imagine in Madrid."

The winter temperatures are also a concern for Johnson, but he loves one element of his new city, the traffic.

"The traffic is great. I love the fact that I can get across town in a few minutes," Johnson said. "I really like the people here and the community is great. I am not looking forward to negative temperatures though."

Another great thing for the two newcomers is that they get to experience a new place together, even if they are from two places separated by an ocean and a continent.

"I think it is awesome to have Alex (Piqueras) as a roommate," Jonson said. "It just shows how basketball is a world-wide game. I am already in Montana experiencing a new place; why not meet someone from a different part of the world? Also it is a great opportunity to learn some Spanish."

Piqueras is taking the opportunity to learn about Los Angeles from Johnson.

“It is interesting learning about L.A. from Lorel,” Piqueras said. “I had no idea about what it is like growing up there. It is different but I am from a different place too and now we are in Helena, learning together."

Photo above: Saints teammates Lorel Johnson and Alejandro Santos Piqueras

The players are fitting into head coach Carson Cunningham’s system and learning a lot about the basketball and their new teammates.  Cunningham’s approach to the game is part of the draw for Johnson.

“The coaches are fired up and excited, but they don’t come down hard on you,” Johnson said. “They are very guard-oriented and they know what it takes to take your game to the next level.”

For Piqueras, he not only has to adjust to a new coach and a new continent but a completely different style of basketball.

"Basketball in America is different than Europe, but the other guys are adjusting to the way I play and I am adjusting to them,” Piqueras said. “I think it is good for all of us to experience a different basketball culture."

"It’s awesome to have Lorel & Alex here. They both possess versatile games, and they’re both cerebral competitors,” Cunningham said.  “Lorel started every year of his high school career, and he’s feisty. Alex is a crafty operator who can deliver passes to teammates who might not even realize they're open."

Their goal is help the rising Carroll basketball program continue to improve. The duo also hopes to give themselves a chance to pursue basketball after college, but they also know that a great education will help them their whole lives.

“Ultimately my first goal is to get my degree,” Johnson said. “I would love to play professionally but I know that playing in the NBA is one in a million. I always ask Alex what it takes to make it in Europe but if that doesn’t work out I would look to get into broadcasting. I love sports and I like to talk so I figure it would be the perfect choice for me.”

"I hope to play professionally and I know that I can become a better basketball player here,” Piqueras said. “I know that I will have a great education to rely on if that doesn’t work out."

Cunningham believes the pair will contribute a great deal to Carroll basketball and learn a lot about each other along the way.

"I bet they have some pretty cool conversations back in the dorm about growing up and playing ball in L.A. and Madrid,” Cunningham said. “I think they’re going to contribute to some great basketball tales in Helena, too."