Pablo Mera becomes the first academy player handed a debut by Pedro Martínez at Real Madrid

Pablo Mera became the first Real Madrid academy player to make his debut under Pedro Martínez since the coach took charge of the team. The 16-year-old guard made his first Liga Endesa appearance against UCAM Murcia. He is 1.91 metres tall and shares his position with Omer Kutluay, described as the team’s star.

Mera has already played four Liga U games for Madrid this season. In an average of 21 minutes, he has put up 4.2 points, 1.8 rebounds, 2.3 assists and a 3.8 rating. On 30 October, against Bàsquet Girona, he scored 11 points, his highest total so far.

Against UCAM Murcia, Mera came on for 38-year-old Sergio Llull. The circumstances shaped the decision: injuries, alongside Chuma Okeke’s latest discomfort, had left Real Madrid with only 11 professional players available. Pedro Martínez turned to the young guard to complete the matchday squad. Mera did more than make his debut; he also had the opportunity to score.

The age contrast takes on a particular significance alongside another detail noted around the milestone: when the captain made his debut for the white team, Mera had not yet been born, with almost three years still to go before his birth.

After the game, Pedro Martínez recalled that Mera had already played a few pre-season games because of absences. The coach called this appearance a reward, while cautioning against placing premature expectations on young players: “I don’t like creating expectations around young players, because each one has to follow their own path. I think putting them in the spotlight works against them, because it creates expectations that don’t help them.” He also said Mera “has personality”.

The young guard had also contributed to the U16 team’s run to bronze at this summer’s Eurobasket. That experience adds to a season already bringing new milestones, but Martínez stressed that each young player should be allowed to progress at their own pace.