Pedro Oliveira
The presence of Latinos in elite sports in the United States has always been a reason to celebrate, because outside of baseball, it is not easy to see them in large numbers in other sports leagues. Nevertheless, the NBA and its fans have been amazed by the talent of several players who, to this day, are still active in the most competitive basketball league on the planet.
In this list, we show the 5 best Latino players in NBA history: the most remarkable in the league’s history, and we talk about the legacy they have left on the court.
5.- José Juan Barea
Averaging 8.9 points, 2.9 rebounds and 3.9 assists over 14 seasons, along with a 37.6% three-point percentage, the Puerto Rican was a solid bench player for the Dallas Mavericks and Minnesota Timberwolves.
Being only 1.78 meters tall, it did not represent any obstacle for him, as he was an important part of the team led by Dirk Nowitzki in 2011 to win the championship against LeBron James’ Miami Heat, a series in which J.J. started three of the six games played. In that series, the Mavs were not favorites and had no great chances to win according to the media and the bookmakers, but it produced one of the biggest upsets in history to this day.
Honors: NBA champion in the 2010-2011 season.
4.- Leandro Barbosa
Selected with the 28th pick in the 2003 draft, Leandrinho had a solid 15-year career as a consistent player for five NBA franchises. But his most important contributions came with the Phoenix Suns, the team that acquired him in the Draft, winning a Sixth Man of the Year award (averaging 18.1 points, 2.7 rebounds, 4 assists and 1.2 steals per game).
At the end of his career, he was crowned NBA champion with the Golden State Warriors, being a key element from the bench. He finished his career with a line of 10.6 points, 2 rebounds, 2.1 assists per game and a .387% three-point percentage.
Honors: NBA Champion in the 2014-2015 season, Sixth Man of the 2006-2007 season.
3.- Nenê Hilário
While Nenê does not have an NBA championship medal or individual title to highlight, he has been one of the most consistent Latinos throughout his career, in addition to being one of the highest draft picks in the history of Latin Americans in the NBA (seventh pick in the 2002 draft).
Playing 18 total seasons in the basketball elite, the Brazilian averaged 11.3 points, 6 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 1.1 steals per game with a field goal percentage of 54.8%. He played for the Denver Nuggets (10 seasons), the Washington Wizards and the Houston Rockets.
Achievements: Rookie Team 2002-2003 season
2.- Al Horford
The Dominican native of Puerto Plata entered the NBA in the 2007 draft, being selected by the Atlanta Hawks with the third overall pick, showing from the beginning his worth for many franchises in the league as a prospect, and so far he has not disappointed at all with his trajectory.
Horford has played in five All-Star games, made several league quintets, but his greatest accomplishment lies in the fact that he is still active today, in his 14th year, and will be an important part of the Boston Celtics in the 2021-2022 season.
Characterized by his defensive presence, excellent talent in the paint, and great ability to generate plays for his teammates, Al is one of the examples to follow on how to achieve a great career in the basketball elite.
His averages so far are: 13.9 points, 8.2 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 1.2 blocks in 905 games and counting.
Honors: five-time All-Star, All-Rookie Team of the 2007-2008 season, All-NBA of the 2010-2011 season, All-Defensive Team of the 2017-2018 season.
1.- Manu Ginóbili
No one would dare to criticize the Argentine star’s prestige and grandeur, because his longevity in the NBA, performance, and remarkable competitiveness even in his senior years have not been witnessed in any other player thus far. Ginóbili is regarded as a team icon by many fans, players, and coaches throughout all ages and eras of the league, thanks to his successful and clever play on the court.
Playing his entire career with the San Antonio Spurs, who selected him 57th overall in the 1999 draft, he spent his first three years outside the NBA playing in the Italian league, where he was a multiple league champion in conjunction with the Euroleague in 2001.
He began his legacy by winning the NBA championship in the 2002-2003 season during his rookie year and the rest is history. Ginóbili became a pillar for the most successful era in the history of the Spurs, under Greg Popovich. Together with Tim Duncan, they won three more championships, and the native of Bahía Blanca continued to play until he accumulated 16 seasons.
Manu was extremely important for San Antonio during each of his seasons, and he also led the Argentine national team to the Olympic medal standings on two occasions, winning the gold medal in Athens 2004 and the bronze medal in Beijing 2008.
With averages of 13.3 points, 3.5 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 1.3 steals and a 37% three-point efficiency rate through 1057 NBA games, Ginóbili is undoubtedly considered the best Latino player in the history of basketball as well as one of the most important players in the history of the Spurs franchise, having retired the number 20 permanently in his honor.
Honors: Four-time NBA Champion (2002-2003, 2004-2005, 2006-2007 and 2013-2014), two All-Star selections, two All-NBA selections, All-Rookie Team in 2002-2003 and Sixth Man of the 2007-2008 season.
