The architecture of Pabellón Felipe Reyes holds a basketball universe of its own: a space where local energy and global influence collide, shaped by the natural intersection between Jordan Brand’s contemporary vision and the future of basketball in Madrid: more broadly, across Spain.

For one day, this playground becomes a world of its own: a space suspended between the timeless basketball culture and the energy of a living video game. Sixteen male and sixteen female players, all on the verge of adulthood, enter a relentless sequence of one-on-one battles. Possession by possession, round by round, they chase a single goal: becoming Spain’s ‘The One.’ Fierce duels define the journey, yet every matchup remains rooted in the respect for the Game that only the asphalt can teach.

It’s no coincidence that a sea of No. 77 jerseys watches every move. Individual rhythms and personal expressions come alive through the Luka 5 & Luka 77, the signature shoes that embodies the spirit of the number itself, and the modern-day maestro behind it. The soundtrack and energy are familiar: basketballs echoing through the court, bodies colliding on the way to the rim, the snap of the net, beams of light cutting through crossovers. Personality against personality, supported by a collective party. Minds converging, separating and colliding again through step-backs and shouted and-ones.

As Michael Jordan’s legacy continues to remind us, everything is built in the shadows and decided on the court. And on this one-of-a-kind court, everything was decided in front of a very special audience. With Luka Dončić, one of the defining faces of Jordan Brand and one of the purest one-on-one players of his generation, and European basketball icon Sergio Llull watching from courtside, Iván Rodríguez and Aina Hinojosa earned their place on the road to London. There, alongside the runners-up, they will represent Madrid and Spanish basketball in the European Final.

El elegido. La elegida. El único. La única. In Spain, the idea of ‘The One’ can be expressed in different ways, each carrying its own nuance while sharing the same ultimate meaning. To understand that meaning, we sat down with the two champions of Madrid’s qualifier. Their stories are accompanied by an exclusive photo essay by Sharon López.

This editorial feature is part of a broader storytelling series that will follow every European chapter of ‘The One.’

What made you fall in love with basketball, and what kind of feelings does the Game give you?

Iván Rodríguez: “Basketball has been part of my life since the day I was born. My parents introduced my brother and me to the Game when we were very young, and I guess, in the end, the colors and the ball just pull you in. Honestly, I can’t imagine my life without it: if I didn’t train in the afternoons, I’d feel lost. Looking at the opportunities and experiences it has given me now, I’m incredibly grateful to my parents and to everyone who has helped me along the way.”

Aina Hinojosa: “I started playing when I was very young as well because my father was a coach and introduced me to the sport. I’ve always taken it very seriously, and that dedication has allowed me to experience moments like this. I’m extremely happy, I’ve worked very hard to get here, and it’s amazing to share this experience with people I was watching from the stands not so long ago.”

How do you approach the 1-on-1 game? What are the keys to dominating this discipline?

Aina Hinojosa: “1-on-1 is like a dialogue. If your opponent hits a three, you’re immediately looking for an answer. It’s a difficult format because you can be up by five points and suddenly find yourself trailing. You need to stay calm, know exactly what you want to do at all times, understand your strengths, and keep going back to them. I always try to create space for my three-point shot. I try to stand out in that area because it’s less common, it’s defended differently, and it often catches opponents off guard. It’s something that has worked very well for me.”

Iván Rodríguez: “In a healthy competitive sense, that dialogue has to be tough. You need to put pressure on your opponent or you won’t gain an advantage. You have to know how to read the game: recognize when your opponent is tired, when you’re tired, and when it’s time to call a timeout. In this tournament there were a moment when I had to tell my opponent, “Please call a timeout, I’m exhausted,” but I’m sure things will be very different in London. Honestly, this is the first time I’ve played a serious 1-on-1 competition outside of training sessions. I’m actually surprised by how well. My defense has improved over time, but I mostly relied on my three-point shot, which is what I enjoy the most. And when the shots weren’t falling, I used my physicality to attack the basket.”

You won in front of Luka Dončić, one of the defining faces of Jordan Brand and global basketball today, with Real Madrid and European basketball legend Sergio Llull watching courtside alongside him… What was that experience like for you?

Iván Rodríguez: “It was incredible, honestly. I follow basketball closely, especially European basketball. I grew up watching Luka at Real Madrid and Sergio Llull making those unbelievable long-range shots. Having them there watching me play was a dream. You never expect an NBA superstar and a EuroLeague legend to be sitting courtside watching your game.”

Aina Hinojosa: “I was equally surprised. Growing up, my father always took me to games. I watched players like them for years, asked them for photos, and even brought signs to games hoping to get their attention. To suddenly have them watching me play was something I could never have imagined. I felt incredibly grateful.”

If you had the opportunity, what aspects of Luka’s would you steal and bring with you to London?

Aina Hinojosa: “I’d take his scoring ability, especially how effortlessly he shoots from three. He creates so much space, makes everything look easy, and always seems completely calm on the court. That confidence and composure are qualities I’d love to have.”

Iván Rodríguez: “I’d take his ability to control the pace. Tournaments like this make you realize how important it is to know when to conserve energy.”

How does it feel to have become a local hero? And how much work in the shadows did it take to reach this moment?

Aina Hinojosa: “I’m honestly surprised. I’ve always been undersized and physically at a disadvantage, so I’ve had to work extremely hard on the technical side of my game. In European women’s basketball, 1-on-1 play isn’t emphasized as much as it is in the U.S., so I made a conscious effort to develop those skills. Seeing the results now is rewarding, but halfway through the tournament I genuinely thought I was going to be eliminated.”

Iván Rodríguez: “The real work started years ago. I’ve always played on teams where there were players better than me. If I happened to be the best player, I took responsibility, but most of the time I’ve had to compete with great teammates. I know I’m not the best player around, but I always try to leave my mark and help the team. If someone else shines, I’ll do everything I can to help them shine even brighter.”

At Athleta Mag, we believe sport is a form of art. Do you see basketball as an art form?

Iván Rodríguez: “Absolutely. What makes art beautiful is that it moves people, inspires them, and brings them together. Basketball does exactly that. Wherever you go, regardless of the country or the players involved, it attracts huge crowds and inspires younger generations to pick up a ball and play. That’s something truly special.”

Aina Hinojosa: “I completely agree. Every player brings their own personal signature to the game. Everyone has a different style, and people connect with those differences. Basketball is also art because it makes you feel emotions. It can bring joy, sadness, excitement, and passion. It moves people on a very deep level.”

What does it feel like to be Madrid’s ‘The One’? And what will it take to become ‘The One on Anyone’ in London and beyond?

Iván Rodríguez: “Confidence is everything. Knowing that people are supporting you gives you strength. You need to understand your game, know your strengths, and maximize them because these are short, intense matches where every possession matters. Honestly, it still feels unreal. I keep forgetting what happened because I still can’t quite believe it. I’m just incredibly happy and determined to enjoy every moment.”

Aina Hinojosa: “I’m thrilled and very excited. It’s not every day that you earn a ticket to London or have players like Luka Dončić watching you compete. To succeed there, I think it takes the same things that brought us here: passion, understanding your strengths, reading the defense well, and especially controlling your pace and breathing. In 1-on-1 basketball everything happens very quickly, and there were moments when I was extremely nervous. Knowing when to take a timeout and truly understanding yourself are crucial.”