5 Colombian NBA Players You Need to Know
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The NBA is home to some of the world’s most talented athletes, and five of them call Colombia home. Here are the five Colombian NBA players you need to know.
Who are the 5 Colombian NBA players?
Bogotá-born D’Angelo Russell is one of the best Shooting Guards in the NBA today The 23-year-old has averaged 21.4 points per game and 5.2 assists per game over his four seasons in the league.
Another Bogotá native, Al Horford, is a five-time NBA All-Star and two-time Olympic gold medalist. The 33-year-old center currently plays for the Philadelphia 76ers.
Indiana Pacers shooting guard Victor Oladipo was born in Silver Spring, Maryland to Nigerian parents. The 26-year-old is a two-Ime Nba All-Star and was named the NBA’s Most Improved Player in 2018.
Phoenix Suns Power Forward Davon Reed was born in New Castle, Delaware to Jamaican parents. The 24-year-old Reed has averaged 4.4 points per game and 2.2 rebounds per game over his two seasons in the NBA.
Rounding out the list is Toronto Raptors small forward OG Anunoby, who was born in London, England to Nigerian parents. The 21-year-old Anunoby has quickly become one of the best defenders in the league, averaging 1.4 blocks per game this season.
What are their backgrounds?
Colombia has produced some of the best NBA players in recent years Here are 5 of them that you need to know:
1. Davis Bertans: He was born in Latvia to a family of professional basketball players His mother played on the Latvian national team and his father was a pro player in Europe. He moved to Spain at age 9 and then to Argentina at age 12, where he began his professional career. He joined the Spurs in 2016 and has become one of their best 3-point shooters.
2. Rudy Gay He was born in Baltimore, Maryland and grew up in Connecticut. He played college basketball at the University of Connecticut before being drafted by the Houston Rockets in 2006. He has played for several teams over his career, including the Spurs, Sacramento Kings and Toronto Raptors He is currently a free agent
3. Willie Reed: He was born in New Orleans, Louisiana and played college basketball at Saint Louis University He went undrafted in 2011 but eventually caught on with the Miami Heat where he played a key role on their championship team in 2013. He has also played for the Los Angeles Clippers and Brooklyn Nets
4. Juan Hernangomez: He was born in Madrid, Spain and began his professional career there before coming to the United States to play College Basketball at Gonzaga University. He was drafted by the Denver Nuggets in 2016 and has since become a key player for them, averaging over 10 points per game
5. Victor Oladipo: He was born in Silver Spring, Maryland but grew up in Upper Marlboro, Maryland. He played College Basketball at Indiana University before being drafted by the Orlando Magic in 2013. He has also played for the Oklahoma City Thunder and Indiana Pacers
What NBA teams do they play for?
1. Bogotá-born guard Sidney Delano Green was the NBA’s first Latin American player. He played for the Indiana Pacers the Dallas Mavericks the Orlando Magic and the Miami Heat
2. Joaquín Andújar played center for the Houston Rockets from 1977 to 1981. The Colombia-native was an All-Star in 1981.
3. Center Rubén Wolkowyski played for the Atlanta Hawks in 2002-03.
4. small forward Juan “Pepe” Sánchez was drafted by the Detroit Pistons in 1999 but was waived re Playing a game for them. He went on to play in Europe and South America before making his Nba Debut with the Philadelphia 76ers in 2001-02.
5. Carlos Arroyo is a point guard who has played for various NBA Teams since 2001, including the Toronto Raptors Detroit Pistons Utah Jazz Boston Celtics Milwaukee Bucks and Miami Heat
How have they performed so far in their careers?
Colombian NBA players have been making a name for themselves in recent years with some great performances on the court. Here are 5 of the best Colombian players in the NBA today
1. Orlando Magic center Nik Vucevic
Vucevic is having a great season so far, averaging 19 points and 11 rebounds per game He is one of the best centers in the league and is a big reason why the Magic are currently in playoff contention.
2. Utah Jazz guard Donovan Mitchell
Mitchell is one of the most promising young players in the league, and he is proving it so far this season with averages of 22 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 assists per game He is a big part of the Jazz’s success this season and has them looking like a potential playoff team.
3. Indiana Pacers forward Victor Oladipo
Oladipo has been one of the best players in the league this season, averaging 24 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 assists per game He is the leader of the Pacers and has them in contention for one of the top seeds in the Eastern Conference
4. Detroit Pistons center Aron Baynes
Baynes has been a key player for the Pistons this season, averaging 10 points and 6 rebounds per game. He is a tough defender and rebounder who gives them valuable minutes off the bench.
5. Miami Heat guard Goran Dragic
Dragic is having another solid season for the Heat, averaging 19 points and 4 assists per game. He is one of their go-to scorers and helps them stay competitive in a tough Eastern Conference
What are their career highlights?
Here are five Colombian NBA players you need to know about:
1. Al Horford: Al Horford is a four-time NBA All-Star who has been with the Boston Celtics since 2016. Prior to that, he spent nine seasons with the Atlanta Hawks He was born in Santo Domingo, Colombia and played college basketball at the University of Florida
2. Bogdan Bogdanovic: Bogdan Bogdanovic is a small forward for the Sacramento Kings He was born in Serbia but his family is from Colombia. He’s been in the NBA since 2014 and has also played for the Phoenix Suns and Milwaukee Bucks
3. Wilson Chandler: Wilson Chandler is a Small Forward for the Brooklyn Nets He was born in Benton Harbor Michigan but his father is from Colombia. Chandler has been in the NBA since 2007 and has also played for the Denver Nuggets Philadelphia 76ers, and Los Angeles Clippers
4. Stevenson Sylvester: Stevenson Sylvester is a retired NBA player who was born in Barranquilla, Colombia. He played college basketball at Kansas State University before being drafted by the Utah Jazz in 2010. He only played in two NBA games before retiring due to injuries.
5. Luis Scola: Luis Scola is a power forward for the Toronto Raptors He was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina but his parents are from Colombia. Scola has been in the NBA since 2007 and has also played for the Houston Rockets Indiana Pacers and Phoenix Suns