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Scots Hoops' Alcobendas has World Class Lineage

by Dan Nolan

Monmouth, IL (12/14/2020) — Monmouth College men's basketball coach Todd Skrivseth hopes the old adage of "the apple doesn't fall far from the tree" rings true after the grandson of a world-class player and coach landed on the Fighting Scots' roster.

Oscar Alcobendas, a 6-foot-1 freshman guard and mechanical engineering major from Spain, spent plenty of time in his youth under the watchful eye of his grandfather, Manuel "Lolo" Sainz. Sainz spent most of his basketball career claiming numerous championships as a shooting guard and a coach with Real Madrid. His coaching resume also included winning a career-record 80% of his games in addition to a stint with the Spanish senior national team.

As a player, Sainz won four EuroLeague and seven Spanish League titles between 1964 and 1968. Sainz-coached teams then scored 10 Spanish League titles from 1976 to 1992 and four FIBA Intercontinental Cup Championships. A three-time AEEB Spanish Coach of the Year honoree, and a two-time nominee for the Hall of Fame, Sainz in 2008 was named one of the "50 Greatest EuroLeague Contributors" over the previous half-century.

Sainz shared his knowledge from more than 40 years of world-class basketball with his grandson, sparking Alcobendas' passion for the game. While many of his contemporaries were focused on the soccer pitch, Alcobendas was drawn to the basketball court, crediting his grandfather for his love of the game.

"Since I started playing basketball at the age of six, my dream had always been to play basketball and further my education in the United States," said Alcobendas. "My grandfather began to train me on technical and tactical skills. When I came to the United States (prepping at Andrews Osborne Academy in Willoughby, Ohio), I would send him videos of my games and he would tell me what I needed to work on. I train with him every Christmas when I go back to Spain."

After finishing his high school studies in Ohio, Alcobendas faced a decision. Return to Spain, or stay in the U.S. to attend college and play basketball?

"The talks I had with Coach Skrivseth and the professors of my major made all the difference," said Alcobendas of the deciding factors to attend Monmouth. "They made me feel at home. I love small schools, but it's very difficult to find engineering and basketball in the same place. Monmouth had both."

Seeing his grandson continuing his education - and basketball career - in the U.S. was also the goal of his grandfather.

"To see Oscar playing basketball in college is incredible for many reasons," said a proud Sainz. "He has improved a lot in basketball, but especially in his studies since he arrived in the United States. I love the concept of American university athletics and academics working together, and how the schools guide and make the student-athletes feel good about sports and studies. The only negative part is that he is very far from the family. But we're happy for him because we see him happy."

Having a famous relative, especially an immediate relative, can be intimidating, but Alcobendas sees his grandfather's fame as a blessing and a way to build an even closer bond with his grandfather.

"It has always been an honor to be able to grow and train next to someone who is as highly regarded internationally as my grandfather, but even more, he's an excellent person and grandfather," said Alcobendas. "When I was a child, we would go to Real Madrid basketball games and I could not count the number of people who stopped my grandfather to ask him about his career as a player and coach or take pictures with him.

"I'm fortunate, I have the opportunity to ask him about basketball whenever I want," continued Alcobendas. "I will always ask him for advice. I love going to his office and admiring all of his trophies, pictures and awards."

Could Alcobendas be following in his grandfather's footsteps, and who is the better player?

"No doubt, I am a way better player than my grandfather!" said a joking Alcobendas. "Seriously, I would love to be as a good as he was. My grandfather says my physical strength is better than his. The advantage my grandfather had is that he had a lot of willpower. He never gave up. He fought to the end to compensate when playing against players who were physically stronger."

Sainz's circle of coaching colleagues reads like a Who's Who in U.S. Basketball, ranging from Bobby Knight to Dean Smith to Pat Riley. Sainz likes to recall a dinner during one clinic he and Riley were working when the conversation turned to championships.

"We were just talking and Pat asked me how many league titles I had won in Spain," said Sainz. "I told him 10. He stood up and let everyone know, then asked why I wasn't wearing any rings. I explained that in Spain, we get a trophy instead of a ring. Had I won those in the U.S., I would have a ring on each finger."

Skrivseth is hoping to get Alcobendas a championship ring at Monmouth - one more than his famous grandfather.

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