Today marks the first day of the 2016-17 NBA season and it would not be a temporada without some novella like storylines. Will the Cav’s repeat? How will Durant’s move to Golden State shakeout? Will Russell Westbrook be able to keep OKC relevant? While these headlines may be dominating the blogs there are also some other stories percolating. Some Latino basketball players are flying above and below the radar, but they all may be game-changers this season. These are six Latino basketball players you need to know.
1. Carmelo Anthony, New York Knicks
The player with the highest profile on this list. Melo reached new heights both on and off the court over the past year. On the court he captured a historic third gold medal for Team USA at the 2016 Olympics in Rio. Off the court he has become a leading voice and influencer for social justice in communities of color. With a specific focus of improving police-community relations. Yet, the big question is will he obtain that elusive NBA championship with the New York Knicks? The window is closing, but a revamped roster including new additions like Derrick Rose and Joakim Noah, along with young studs Kristaps Porzingis and Willy Hernangómez provide hope that this newest iteration can make the Knicks contenders once again.
2. Willy Hernangómez, New York Knicks
Speaking of Willy Hernangómez, who is he exactly? While a rookie in the NBA, the 6’11 center was considered one of the best prospects of Real Madrid. Hernangómez played his first two seasons on its reserve team and in 2015 declared for the 2015 NBA draft. He was selected with the 35th overall pick by the Philadelphia 76ers, but his rights were later traded to the New York Knicks. He’s seen some court time in the pre-season for the Knicks, however, given that the starting center position is set Hernangómez wont be a part of the starting five, however, based on his preseason performances, it seems like he could emerge as an option at backup center. Even off the bench, with a few solid performances it’s easy to see how his star would rise playing in the Mecca of basketball.
3. Karl-Anthony Towns, Minnesota Timberwolves
The seven-foot center had a great basketball career before even entering the NBA. He made the Dominican National Team at just 16 years-old, and then went on to play under John Calipari at the University of Kentucky. The first pick in the 2015 NBA draft he was selected by the Minnesota Timberwolves. He didn’t disappoint in his rookie year. Starting in all 82 games for the Timberwolves in 2015–16, averaging 18.3 points and 10.5 rebounds per game. The effort earned Towns unanimous Rookie of the Year and NBA All-Rookie First Team honors. Now the biggest question going into the 2016-17 season is can he keep it up or will he experience a sophomore slump? For the Timberwolves to improve Towns will have to continue to improve as well. Should he help them get back to the playoffs his stature will be solidified.
4. Cristiano Felício, Chicago Bulls
The Brazilian big man is another young gun in a new generation of NBA stars. Felício started his basketball career in Brazil playing professionally for Minas Tênis Clube between 2009 and 2012 and two seasons for Flamengo in 2013 and 2014 winning both the 2014 FIBA Americas League and FIBA Intercontinental Cup. The 24-year-old center joined the Chicago Bulls in July of 2015 and spent the majority of that season with their developmental league affiliate the Canton Charge. Yet, he started seeing some play late in the season and folks noticed. He also made an impact in the 2016 Summer League in Las Vegas. SBNation even called the Brazilian big man “the best summer league player you never heard of.” With both Joakim Noah and Pau Gasol departing Chicago, there are openings at center, despite the signing of Robin Lopez, you can expect to see even more of Felício in the 2016 season.
5. Marc Gasol, Memphis Grizzlies
Center Marc Gasol was having a career year during the 2015-16 NBA season sporting highs in points per game and rebounds. He even passed Shareef Abdur-Rahim (7,801 points) for fourth on the Grizzlies’ all-time scoring list. Yet it all came to an end for Gasol when he broke his foot in February and missed the remainder of the season. Watching Memphis get routed by the San Antonio Spurs in the first round of the play-offs. This will be Gasol’s ninth year in the league. Like Carmelo Anthony the window will soon start to close on getting the elusive ring. Memphis is implementing a pace and space offense this year, which will require Gasol to attempt at least three to four 3-pointers per night. If successful it could see the Grizzlies return to true playoff contention, however, Gasol will need to remain healthy for it all to come together.
6. Manu Ginobli, San Antonio Spurs
Going into his 15th season in the NBA, Manu Ginobli is the player with the longest tenure on this list. There isn’t much that he hasn’t accomplished at this point in his career. The shooting guard for the San Antonio Spurs is a two time all-star, has won the 6th Man of the Year Award and more importantly four NBA titles. He is one of only two players, along with Bill Bradley, to have won a Euroleague title, an NBA championship, and an Olympic gold medal. With Ginobili leading the charge, Argentina won its first ever Olympic gold medal in basketball. Why be on the lookout for him this year? Aside from seeing a hall of fame player, it will likely be his last season. His peers from the championship years are starting to retire, the Spurs are undergoing a youth movement and those 39 year-old legs that don’t bounce back the way they used to. Hopefully he will give us one more season of trick passes faking out the likes of NBA stars like Kevin Durant and Dwight Howard. Still gotta love that between the legs pass he can pull off like no other.
