Bradley Braves Add Spanish Guard Max Gaspa Ibanez

Why the Signing Fills a Critical Gap

PEORIA – The Bradley Braves have added a seasoned point guard to shore up their backcourt after a major setback. The new signing comes in response to Georgi Gerganov’s season‑ending knee injury suffered during summer workouts. The club turned to Spain’s Max Gaspa Ibanez to provide immediate depth and veteran experience.

Stats and Background on Max Gaspa Ibanez

Coach Brian Wardle highlighted Max’s international pedigree when announcing the signing. “We are excited to welcome Max Gaspa to the Bradley basketball family,” Wardle said. “With the injury to Georgi Gerganov we needed to add depth to our roster with an experienced guard, and with Max we found our guy.” He added that Max’s feel for the game makes him a great fit for the Braves’ style. “Max has played high‑level international basketball since his youth. … Max can impact the game in many ways with his ability to score at three levels, make plays for his teammates and guard with energy and intelligence.”

Max is a 6‑foot‑4, 190‑pound forward born in Barcelona and currently 20 years old. He spent the last two seasons with Baxi Manresa in Spain’s top Liga Endesa, posting 2.8 points per game on 9.4 minutes of action. In 25 games he shot 42.1% from the floor and 27.3% beyond the arc. The young Spaniard also contributed 1.0 assists and 0.7 rebounds per outing.

Before heading to Peoria, Gaspa Ibanez is currently representing Spain’s under‑20 national team in the 2026 FIBA EuroBasket tournament held in Ljubljana, Slovakia. He has logged three appearances, averaging 8.7 points per game on 18.6 minutes. His shooting line includes a 55.6% field‑goal percentage and 25% from three‑point range. He also dishes out 1.7 assists, pulls down 1.0 rebound and records 1.3 steals per outing against Belgium, Croatia and Greece.

Earlier in the year, Gaspa Ibanez helped Spain’s senior side with seven appearances, averaging 4.2 points per game during the 2025 FIBA event.

What to Expect in the 2026‑27 Season

The Braves view Gaspa as a versatile guard who can contribute immediately at both the point and shooting positions. His blend of scoring ability, playmaking and defensive energy aligns with the coach’s vision for a gritty, fast‑paced offense. Analysts predict he could become a key rotational piece, especially if the injury situation for the rest of the backcourt remains uncertain.

Fans will watch how Max adapts to the NCAA level after two seasons in the Liga Endesa, looking for smoother ball‑handling, improved rebounding and a stronger defensive presence. If he meets the expectations set by his coach’s praise, the signing could be a decisive factor in Bradley’s pursuit of a deeper roster and a potential run in conference play.

The addition of Max Gaspa Ibanez signals Bradley’s commitment to fill the void left by Gerganov while bringing a fresh international perspective to the program. The Braves are hopeful that his experience and skill will translate into on‑court success as the season approaches.