The majority of fans are familiar with Pau Gasol, the greatest Spanish basketball player ever, running mate of late great Kobe Bryant, and one of the greatest European players ever. Some of these extraordinary athletes are among Spain’s most well-known figures. However, Spain has long been a mecca for talented basketball players.
The Spanish national team won a silver medal at the Summer Olympics in 184, and Spain’s love affair with basketball was in full swing when the Dream Team took over Barcelona in 1992. A generation of basketball fans and a long list of outstanding Spanish basketball players were born as a result of the 1992 Olympics. The top ten greatest Spanish basketball players of all time are the subjects of this article. Let’s get started.
How many NBA players from Spain are you familiar with? Since Fernando Martn became the first Spaniard to join an NBA team in 1985, the number of Spanish players who have achieved success in the most well-known basketball league in the world has skyrocketed. The ten Spaniards participating in the NBA’s 2016/2017 season are listed below. There are two sets of brothers competing this year, and four players are making their debut.
10. Juancho Hernangómez (Denver Nuggets)
- Position: Forward
- Age: 21
Career History:
- Estudiantes (Madrid) (2012–2016)
- Denver Nuggets (2016-present).
9. Willy Hernangómez (New York Knicks)
- Position: Center
- Age: 22
Career History:
- Real Madrid (2011–2016)
- New York Knicks (2016-present).
8. Álex Abrines (Oklahoma City Thunder)
- Position: Shooting guard / Small forward
- Age: 23
Career History:
- Unicaja (2011–2012)
- FC Barcelona (2012–2016)
- Oklahoma City Thunder (2016-present).
7. José Manuel Calderón (Los Angeles Lakers)
- Position: Point guard
- Age: 35
Career History:
- TAU Cerámica (1998–2005)
- Toronto Raptors (2005–2013)
- Detroit Pistons (2013)
- Dallas Mavericks (2013–2014)
- New York Knicks (2014–2016)
- Los Angeles Lakers (2016-present).
6. Nikola Mirotic (Chicago Bulls)
- Position: Power forward
- Age: 25
Career History:
- Real Madrid B (2008–2009)
- Palencia (2009–2010)
- Chicago Bulls (2014-present).
5. Serge Ibaka (Orlando Magic)
- Position: Power forward
- Age: 27
Career History:
- CB L’Hospitalet (2007–2008)
- Ricoh Manresa (2008–2009)
- Oklahoma City Thunder (2009–2016)
- Real Madrid (2011)
- Orlando Magic (2016-present).
4. Ricky Rubio (Minnesota Timberwolves)
- Position: Point guard
- Age: 26
Career History:
- DKV Joventut Badalona (2005–2009)
- FC Barcelona (2009–2011)
- Minnesota Timberwolves (2011-present).
3. Sergio Rodríguez (Philadelphia 76ers)
- Position: Point guard
- Age: 30
Career History:
- Estudiantes (2003–2006)
- Portland Trail Blazers (2006–2009)
- Sacramento Kings (2009–2010)
- New York Knicks (2010)
- Real Madrid (2010–2016)
- Philadelphia 76ers (2016–present).
2. Marc Gasol (Memphis Grizzlies)
- Position: Center
- Age: 31
Career History:
- FC Barcelona (2003–2006)
- Akasvayu Girona (20016–2008)
- Memphis Grizzlies (2008-present).
1. Pau Gasol (San Antonio Spurs)
- Position: Power forward / Center
- Age: 36
Career History:
- FC Barcelona (1998–2001)
- Memphis Grizzlies (2001–2008)
- Los Angeles Lakers (2008–2014)
- Chicago Bulls (2014–2016)
- San Antonio Spurs (2016-present).
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