Pic credit: Fiba

Emanuel Cate (207-C-1997) is a 29 year old 207cm center from Romania that is playing his sixth season for Spanish ACB team Universidad Catolica de Murcia CB (Spain). He also has ACB experience having played for Baxi Manresa and Betis Sevilla. He won 5 titles with U-Banca Transilvania Cluj Napoca (Liga Nationala). He began his career in the Real Madrid youth sector. He also has been a Romanian national player for the last decade. He spoke to germanhoops.com about basketball.

Thanks Emanuel for talking to germanhoops.com. You have played with the Romanian national team for a decade. What does it mean for you to play for your country?

It is always great being around these guys. I have been together with some of them since being kids. We share so much together. I love playing in front of family and friends. We have built so many great memories on the court and off the court we stick together.

You played at the 2017 Euro and in the first game played against the Czech Republic and Tomas Satoransky and Jiri Welsh. Is that Euro a blur for you now or do you still remember it well?

I still remember that Euro well. You never forget the first time. We had experienced guys then and it was our first Euro in 30 years. It was a unique experience for all. It was a great experience to be 20 years old and play on a stage like that.

Your teammate then and now in the national team is Nandor Kuti. Are you guys like brothers?

Of course we are brothers. We always try to catch up on our lives and careers whenever we can. He lives in Bukarest also and we go out at night when we are in the city.

You also lost to Spain by 41 points at the 2017 Euro and played against 7 NBA players like Marc Gasol, Ricky Rubio and Juan Carlos Navarro. Pau Gasol was a DNP. What memories do you have of that game? Were you in awe?

I already had known Sergio Rodriguez from my time at Real Madrid as juniors. We were in the same academy in Madrid. That Spanish team was unbelievable then. That may have been one of the greatest team in Europe ever. They played such beautiful basketball. It was one of the best games I ever played in.

Now in 2026 Romania began with a solid win against Denmark. Bulgaria is up next. How good do you see the chances of qualifying with this new coaching staff?

We are on a good way as we continue to improve. We showed that in Denmark and will be prepared for Bulgaria. This is now a unique chance to keep improving as a team and take the fresh new ideas of the new coaching staff.

How incredible of a player is Dragos Diculescu. His versatility really stands out, but what is something about his game that not many know?

Dragos is a student of the game. He is very passionate about the game and always asking questions. He is always trying to improve and bring the best version of himself on the court.

What is the state of Romanian basketball at the moment? Who are some up and coming prospects?

I think that it is positive at the moment. We have 3-4 good players for the next 5-10 years. I hope they keep improving, because we need new blood for the future. It will take a little time for them to get used to the system and evolve into good rotation players. A name to watch is Sebastian Lapuste who had a strong U-16 Euro recently.

Germany are defending World and Euro champions. 10 years ago Germany had Dirk Nowitzki and an up and coming Dennis Schroeder and now they are #1. Is Germany a country that can become a dynasty?

Their results in the last years have shown that Germany have invested well in their youth system and taken advantage of their great facilities. I see Germany being a powerhouse in the next 5-10 years.

You were 2 years with the Real Madrid in the youth sector. How did that come about? It is rare that a Romanian boy go to Real Madrid.

I was discovered at the U-16 Euro. That was where I had my first real contact with European basketball. I had many options then with USA and other European clubs. At first my family wasn´t too keen on me going away, but after 1,5 years I decided to go to Real Madrid. It was the absolute best option I had then and was the best basketball decision I ever made in my life.

How intense were those 2 years? What did you learn there that helped you on your way to becoming a professional player?

Those two years were intense, intense, intense. Everything that I learned in those two years, I have applied to my game. That whole experience there changed my whole mentality on and off the court. I was like a sponge bob that tried to absorb everything possible. My work ethic became so well. It really helped me that I was around such great coaches and players.

At that time Real Madrid had so many incredible players especially from Spain like Rudy Fernandez, Sergio Llull or Sergio Rodriguez. What one player had the biggest impact on you?

I didn´t practice so much them. I learned by asking from them. I tried to pick up as much as I could so I could become players the way they were.

How did you experience a very young Luka Donic then? Did you ever practice with him or have conversations?

He was my teammate and was 2 years younger. He was an incredible talent. 5 players from that team reached the ACB immediately. We were together every day. I remember a time when we were playing for the Real Madrid farm team that played in the EBA (4th division). I remember that in practice, the day before a game, Luka and I weren´t there mentally and coach kicked us out. We left the court not knowing what to do. Despite that, coach let us play the next day in the game. We both were so hungry to perform well the next day and did. We learned from that mistake.

You then played a season with Baloncesto Sevilla and played only 11 ACB games. How tough was it coming from the Real Madrid organization and not playing? What did you learn from this experience?

I wanted to become a pro player. I learned here that I needed to be patient and wait for a chance. I kept working hard knowing that my chance would eventually come.

The next season you didn´t play much again, but were teammates with legend Bostjan Nachbar, How much of an enrichment was he for a young man like you?

He sat next to me on my right in the locker room. I was the youngest on the team and he talked to me everyday. That really helped me. He had so much experience and was a great veteran. He showed me some moves and where to stand in certain situations. I would watch his NBA highlights and we would both laugh about it.

You help beat Real Madrid 86-85 and played 3 minutes. What do you remember from that game? You can say you beat Luka Doncic.

Yes that´s true. I remember that game well. It was around Christmas and my whole family came to the game. I really wanted to play. I was really locked in. I might of only played 3 minutes, but I played to get the win.

You then took a step back and played a season with CB Prat Juventud (Spain-LEB Gold) averaging 10.2ppg, RPG-1 (8.6), BPG-1 (1.6), FGP: 63.3%, 3PT: 33.3%, FT: 69.2%. Did this maybe save your career? How vital was it taking a step back wards for your development?

That season definitely saved my career. It was the only step that I had at the time. I had to make it there. My only choice was to play good there and return to the ACB or go back to Romania. Sometimes it is correct to take a step back to take two steps forward.

You then played 4 years with Universidad Catolica de Murcia CB playing 125 ACB games averaging 5/3. Can one say that this was your fondest moments as a pro?

I wouldn´t say that it was the best time in my career, but it was a very nice 4 years. I had worked so hard to reach the ACB and now I was there and remained. I had so much fun on the court, but at the same time continued to learn and a lot and develop my game further. I added so much to my bag. It was like a dream come true.

How much fun was it playing with an exceptional point guard like Brad Oleson. Could he always blindly find you?

Brad was one of the funniest teammates that I had in my career. I played with him in his last season as a pro after he had had a long run with FC Barcelona. It was a privilege to play with him.

Another season you were teammates with undersized American center Delroy James. How challenging was it guarding a physical player like him?

I remember he came late into the season and was coming off a tough injury. He liked playing with his back to the basket. He was a very tough player and was fun to be around him.

What was your fondest moment in the ACB in those 4 years with Murcia?

We had some big wins. In my third season, we were very close to beating Real Madrid. I remember having a great game. I made some jump shots and some three´s which was new to me then.

You then went home and played 2 seasons with U-Banca Transilvania Cluj Napoca (Liga Nationa) averaging 12.7ppg, 6.5rpg, 1.6apg, BPG-1 (1.2), FGP-3 (73.6%), 3PT: 10.0%, FT: 79.6% and 12.9ppg, 7.5rpg, 1.9apg, FGP: 67.9%, 3PT-3 (55.6%), FT: 84.1%; You won the double each season. Both years you beat Oradea in the final. Which finals was the more taxing?

The first year´s final was the toughest. That was all a new experience. They were up 2-0 in the best of seven series. We then won 4 in a row. We got consistent in that series. That final was big for me, because I was back in Romania and wanted to prove to all that I could win.

You were teammates with the great American Patrick Richard. What memories do you have of him? He has to be one of your best teammates of all-time list?

Yes he is at the top. He really knows how to play the game and is a great person. It was a great experience to be around him. I will always root for him.

You then played a season with BAXI Manresa (Spain-ACB) averaging 7.0ppg, 4.7rpg, 1.0apg, FGP: 62.7%, FT: 79.7%. You swept FC Barcelona. What will you remember of this season?

It was great for me returning to the ACB. I remember sweeping FC Barcelona. That season we beat almost all the top 8 teams and lost to the bad teams. It was not a good balance. I think we could of done even better, but ran out of gas at the end. It was a unique year. I remember beating Malaga by 40 points.

Last season you returned back to Universidad Catolica de Murcia CB (Spain-ACB) averaging 6.1ppg, 5.0rpg, FGP: 56.4%, FT: 68.9%. There were many new faces. Will Murcia always be a home for you?

Murcia is like a second home for me. I will return for 2026-2027. I will be ready to play.

Who is the toughest player that you ever faced in your life that reached the NBA?

Eddy Tavares. He was my biggest challenge on the court in the ACB. It was always elbow vs elbow. I´m proud to say that I did well against him which wasn´t easy to do.

Please name your 5 best teammates of all-time?

Luka Doncic, Brad Oleson, Bostjan Nachbar, DJ Seely and myself

Please list your NBA, and Euroleague Mount Rushmore?

Michael Jordan, Lebron James, Steph Curry and Shaq

Sergio Llull, Vasilios Spanoulis, Juan Carlos Navarro, Andre Kirilenko

Who is your GOAT?

Michael Jordan.

Thanks Emanuel for the chat.