Six Spaniards make up the NBA in the 2022/23 season. Ricky Rubio is the oldest on the list along with Ibaka. The Hernangómez seek to stand out and Aldama and Garuba practically debut
There was a time when Spain was a superpower of the superpower of the NBAWe had players who year in and year out also went to the All-Star, whether it was the ‘greats’ game or the ‘rookies’ game. Those times seem to have passed to a better lifealthough the current European champion has an interesting representation left in the best League in the world.
1) RICKY BLONDE
The point guard is in his twelfth season in the NBA and will start it injured. Last season he blew out his knee when he was playing the best basketball of his life with the Cleveland Cavaliers. He left such good feelings that the Ohio team has not hesitated to renew him although he is still recovering until January.
2) SERGE IBAKA
The power forward has clear options for win the ring in the Milwaukee Bucks, although he would do so in a supporting role off the bench. At 33 years old, he is far from the times when he was the best shot-stopper in the NBA, although in return he has improved in many disciplines of the game such as shooting from mid-range or reading the game.
3) JUANCHO HERNANGOMEZ
The forward became famous for playing Bo Cruz in the Netflix movie ‘Claw’. That fame did not prevent him from shining in the last EuroBasket with Spain and he hopes to continue that trajectory in a Toronto Raptors who have nothing to lose. He hopes to find stability after playing for four teams last season.
4) WILLY HERNANGOMEZ
Mister MVP is now a respected player in the organization of the New Orleans Pelicans, who have wowed with his performance in the EuroBasket as the best player of the tournament. He hopes to be able to count on minutes, although he knows that he starts as a substitute for Lithuanian Jonas Valanciunas. His defense is still his point of improvement.
5) SANTI ALDAMA
The canary will play his second season in the NBA after having spent his debut year between the development team and the bench of the Grizzlies waving the towel. With Jaren Jackson injured, Aldama can expect to have 20 minutes of play in these first two months of competition. He now he has to seize the opportunity.
6) USMAN GARUBA
Another who vindicated himself in the EuroBasket surprising even the Houston Rockets coaches. He now wants to settle in a team where last year he lacked opportunities. His defense and his reading of the game are his best guarantee against his lack of size and offensive scoring.