I used to see these Spanish youngsters, anywhere from 8-14 years old, working out in my team's gym, especially if I'd go in at night to get treatment from our crotchety old Spanish trainer. The foreign players who fill today's NBA rosters bring a persona from their home cultures influenced by attitudes and values of their national psyche. The following Autonomous Communities have played at least one friendly game: Also, Menorca has got a basketball team which plays biennially in the Island Games. When they hosted the Olympics, it changed the country. There are 79 Spanish speaking countries around the world, and sports have always played an important part of their culture and lifestyle. Kids from Mexico to Argentina not only know who LeBron James and Steph Curry are, but they model their game after them andarguably the most crucial of allthey buy their brand-name shoes. According to Sweeney Sports, its estimated that 1 in every 3 Australians likes the sport, and about a million of them play it. The Spread of The Game Ricky Rubio, then 17 years old, was impressive, and Rudy Fernandez had a dunk on Dwight Howard that I can only describe as "muy bueno." When it comes to football, the first name that comes to our mind is Lionel Messi who plays for the Spanish club FC Barcelona and the Argentina national team. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. Right IconThis ranking is based on an algorithm that combines various factors, including the votes of our users and search trends on the internet. Erichsen, Gerald. Copyright 2022 Ropcaf. I had just finished my first season playing in Spain (and my second professional season overall), so watching my native country, the United States, and my adopted home, Spain, get it on for the gold was something that gave me an embarrassing amount of joy. He is one of the most well known and best paid athletes in the world, but most people don't know his Hispanic background. The first ever Latino player in the NBA was Alfred "Butch" Lee from Puerto Rico. There are versions with clues and without clues. On the surface, this may seem like an idealistic portrayal of the game of basketball, but I can only speak about what I've observed. by Mrsdonnelly. Speaking of the NBA . Some are Oriental and some are racially black. Back in 184, the Spanish national team took home a silver medal during the Summer Olympics . Actually, the NBA is considered to be one of the most popular sports leagues in China. Then, in the EuroBasket Championship, the national team has achieved the top places in about ten occasions, winning their first title in 1983. The vocabulary below represents some of the most common terms used by Spanish speakers, but it shouldn't be considered complete. Catalina Sandino Moreno was born on April 19, 1981 in Bogot, Colombia. They definitely have highly developed skill sets, but to be honest, I've never played with a Spanish guy who I didn't consider to be a great teammate. In addition to Spanish, there are 36 recognised indigenous languages in Bolivia. In the 2021-22 season, 107 players from 39 countries were on NBA rosters. Spanish Speaking Countries - Map Quiz Game: Spanish is a Romance language and is sometimes also called Castilian. Gerald Erichsen is a Spanish language expert who has created Spanish lessons for ThoughtCo since 1998. All Rights Reserved. Sports and languages have a keen relationship with each other through languages brought up games to show language power and sense. I'm not just speaking about guys from these countries that have played in the NBA, either. However, in recent years, more and more Croatian players are joining the NBA. Are you kidding me? Which countries speak Spanish? Also, because there were multiple players working with the same coach, they were all learning how to function in a group dynamic. The resources included in this no-prep and printable bundle are perfect for the secondary . According to The Institute For Diversity And Ethics in Sport, the NBA was only 2.3 percent Latino last season. All Spanish learners should know this because if they ever go to Spain or another country they will understand their culture better and be able to connect with people by mentioning soccer or other sports. It doesnt matter what language you speak, everybody can understand sports. Jones and Phil Jackson to prowl the sidelines. There would regularly be a whole team of players working with one coach. The game turned out to be a classic, and it was worth every sleepless second. Jokic, Antetokounmpo, Joel Embiid, and Luka Doncic made All-NBA teams this year. The largest Spanish-speaking country in the world, referring to population size, is Mexico with over 118 million people (2013). Here is a list of all the Spanish-speaking countries by region and their capitals. To see a full list of Sports Spanish Vocabulary, Frontline Sports in Spanish speaking countries. Its considered to be one of the four major sports in the U.S., next to baseball, American football, and hockey. With billions of fans and new leagues popping up all over the world, it is safe to say that this sport is among the most popular in the world. The financial stability and drug-free image that the NBA is known for now were not more than a dream until the early 1980s. The most successful team in the league, without a doubt, is the Panathinaikos. Other top teams include Valencia (winners of the Spanish League and Champions' League in 2004), Deportivo La Corua and Real Sociedad. The NFL has a large number of famous Hispanic football players. Back in the early 2000s, when former Chinese player, Yao Ming, played his first NBA game with the Houston Rockets, about 200 million watched the game. ThoughtCo. Several well-known Argentinian players have made it to the NBA, especially Manu Ginobili who won the NBA Championship in four occasions. These players, along with many other Latin Americans who have enjoyed success in their home countries and Europe over the last 30 years, provide a solid group of idols for the current players we see immigrating into the NBA - and also for the younger generations currently preparing themselves to take that step. Basketball Courts. Greece The turning point for basketball in Greece was when, in 1987, the men's national team won, for the first time, the EuroBasket Championship. Every year, more and more Chinese spectators tune in to watch the NBA playoffs. Spanish remained an official language of government until 1973. simply because Pau is one of the most influential Spanish speaking players in NBA history. Both Real Madrid and Barcelona have a basketball team. * 21+ (19+ CA-ONT) (18+ NH/WY). The newest generation of Latino players has made the greatest impact on our game, most significantly in these 2004 Olympics, when Puerto Rico and Argentina both beat a United States team lead by Tim Duncan and Allen Iverson. However, Equatorial Guinea in Africa lists Spanish as an official language. Outside of the United States, no one produces better players than Spain. It is seen as a heroic, albeit bloody, test of wills involving courage, intelligence, grace, and elegance. Any time two teams step foot on a basketball court, crazy things can happen, but I didn't consider the competitiveness of that game to be even the slightest bit crazy. In 2013, the mens national team obtained their first EuroBasket title, and, in 2014, for the first time also, they made it to the podium in the FIBA World Cup. Yet it could be argued that the current South American influence began in 2002, the year Manu Ginobili joined the San Antonio Spurs, and the same year in which Nen (and 6'9" famous Argentinean power forward Luis Scola) was drafted. Bisbol (Baseball): It is another favorite sport played in Spanish speaking countries, especially in Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Mexico, and Venezuela. It's a lot of fun, and I bet you'll see why they've closed the gap with Team USA to a tiny fraction of what it once was. They all communicated well, they were coachable, they were willing to work together, they believed in the team concept and more than anything, they were committed to winning over individual success. Here are the 10 Spaniards playing in the NBA's 2016/2017 season. Pau Gasol is the best player on one of the better NBA teams in 2010-11. by Alisonmullan. In 2006, after the split from Montenegro, Serbia founded the Basketball Federation of Serbia, as well as the Basketball League of Serbia. That sounds like a pretty good deal to me. Basketball isnt as popular in Croatia as it is in other countries. 11. At the tender age of 39, Ortiz was the leader of that historic Puerto Rican National team who stunned the United States by beating them 92-73 in their first game of the Athens Olympics. It envisages uplifting moral values, abilities to empower change in attitude, trampling the disease, and rectifying immunity leveling by bifurcating health and exercise. Although the wins and losses did not always work in his favor, he was consistently one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL. How they teach the game, starting at a very early age, is pretty remarkable. The cultural popularity of the sport is growing exponentially and is well documented in China, Africa and throughout Europe. Erichsen, Gerald. If you want to say your favorite sports phrase in Spanish, try saying "Mi deporte favorito es deporte" or "El deporte que ms me gusta es el/la deporte.". The United States is actually the country where basketball originated. If you're looking at Spain's success on the basketball court, you have to start with their player development. Spain has great players like Felipe Reyes, Alex Mumbr and Victor Sada, just to name a couple, who have never logged a minute in the NBA. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. And this success is only expected to keep growing in the future. On each . It is played similarly to soccer but with 5 players on each team and slightly different rules. Jose Juan Barea is from Peurto Rico. The Federation, which receives substantial support from the government, also focuses on player development by keeping binders of information on young talent from around the country, starting when the players are about 16 years old. Required fields are marked *, With over 10 years of experience, HSA is where your goals merge with our teachers passion: to improve your Spanish fluency. Mxico France - 8,780,000 speakers. Although basketball is often overshadowed by other sports, like soccer, there is no question about its popularity. Terms at draftkings.com/sportsbook. Currently, over 10% of the population of the United States is Hispanic. FIFA ranking of women's national soccer teams in Latin America and the Caribbean as of December 2022. Although, as mentioned before, basketball was invented in the United States, the creator of the sport, James Naismith, was actually Canadian. For example, Eduardo Najera's well known hustle on the basketball court exemplifies a work ethic specific to Mexico, where the same focused and efficient diligence can be observed in his countrymen when undertaking even the simplest of household duties. China is an interesting nation when it comes to basketball. Copyright FIBA All rights reserved. These are some of the most well known Mexican Americans in the United States. After that, the nation has been a strong competitor in major International basketball competitions. After we'd won, our captain, a well-known player throughout Spain, ran up to me and kissed the top of my head. These kids were learning and practicing key basketball basics, but they were also being taught important social lessons about the game. English-Spanish Basketball Glossary. 3. Also, when it comes to team sports, basketball is the second most popular in the country, in terms of participation. Anthony Davis unwinnable fight to save the Lakers season. To learn more or opt-out, read our Cookie Policy. Basketball is, by far, the most popular sport in Lithuania. They were following instructions. Of course you will always find players who love to dribble the ball, but the importance of advancing play with the pass is often a natural idea even for pre-adolescent Latino players. This game is being played since the eighteenth century, and it has been a trend for honor kings by fighting with bulls to show muscle strength in the country. "English-Spanish Basketball Glossary." The Philippine Basketball Association, the PBA, was founded in 1975, which makes it the first professional basketball league in Asia, as well as one of the oldest in the world. Aside from the silver in Beijing,Spain is alsothe defending European champions (having won the last European Championship in Poland in 2009), with a full roster of talented players, many of whom have had legit success in the NBA. All rights reserved. If you're interested, watch the Spanish play. Create your own unique website with customizable templates. These teams are not recognized by FIBA Europe, and only play in friendly games. Although traveling missionaries were spreading the game along with the Christian faith, it was not widely adopted by foreign cultures until the NBA achieved enough success to thoroughly spread the game. In Canada, the popularity of basketball is continually growing, with millions of Canadians following the sport every year. Program length: between 1-24 weeks, depending on the program. The physical fundamentals are vital (duh) but so are the social ones. The beauty of sports is how they unite people, transcend borders, and generate emotions (and money) all over the world. That is just an absolute monster squad, probably one of the best and most dynamic ever assembled. A staple of Spanish culture dating back to antiquity, bullfighting is considered the national spectacle, a rich pageant more akin to a beautifully choreographed ballet than a sporting event. Some sources list only 20 Spanish language countries, as Puerto Rico is technically a commonwealth. With 56,757,391 native and non-native Spanish speakers, the United States has more Spanish speakers than even Spain! Luckily, Bolivian Spanish is known for being spoken precisely, so hopefully you'll be able to hear these differences easily. How many Spanish basketball players in the NBA have you heard of? Argentina is the largest Spanish speaking country in South America. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. Famous Spanish Sportspersons This ranking is based on an algorithm that combines various factors, including the votes of our users and search trends on the internet. This year there are two sets of brothers and 4 players making their debut. The system they've developed certainly doesn't guarantee success for every young basketball player in Spain, but it seems like it does a pretty good job of trying to maximize the possibilities. Each country I visited is an example of a certain stage of basketball development, which is why I will discuss them from least to most developed. In the early '90s, Spanish football went through one of the worst periods in its history. The countries in this list are: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama and Paraguay. In 2021 there will be five Spaniards the American NBA (National Basketball Association): forwards Ibaka and Juancho Hernangmez, guard Ricky Rubio, center/forward Willy Hernangmez . Your suplied Email address (xxxxx@fiba.basketball) does not seem to be correct, FWBWC Qualifying Tournament Washington DC, FIBA Women's AfroBasket 2023 - Qualifiers, FIBA AmeriCup 2025 Central American Pre-Qualifiers, Central American (COCABA) Womens Championship, European Championship For Small Countries, Women's European Championship For Small Countries, Commissions, Working Groups and Task Forces, Deaf International Basketball Federation (DIBF), Diccon Lloyd-Smeath's Champions League Insider, Igor Curkovic's Champions League Help-Side, Paul Nilsen's Women's Basketball Worldwide. A word search about Spanish-speaking countries and another about their capital cities. Lithuania is not only known as one of the top basketball countries in Europe but also in the world. The beauty of sports is how they unite people, transcend borders, and generate emotions (and money) all over the world. Perhaps the most recognizable Hispanic football player of the modern era, Tony Romo ran the Cowboys' offense with consistency and competitiveness. Romo threw for 34,183 yards, 248 touchdowns, 2,829 completions, and 117 interceptions throughout his 13-year NFL career. Even coaches who work with young players need to be knowledgeable and dedicated enough to get certification, and I think that helps, because players obviously benefit from experienced instruction. The Latino influence on U.S. basketball only came to the attention of the general basketball public in 2003 when Argentinean Manu Ginobili and Brazilian Nen both scored double digits in points per game for the year, solidifying them as impact players at the highest level of play. The national team has seen some success on the international stage, coming second in the FIBA World Cup on different occasions. Their top league, the ACB, is widely considered to be the best domestic league in Europe, with five teams having already qualified to play in the Euroleague, a competition of all the top clubs overseas. , here you have some of the most important terms of basketball in Spanish: Now that you know some basketball terms in Spanish, perhaps you want to try them in a real conversation! Related: Free Printable Flags for Spanish-Speaking Countries. Hispanic Hispanic players currently playing in the NBA Santi Aldama Memphis Grizzlies 22 2.11/ 6'11'' PF 22-23: 9.5pt 4.7rb 1.2as Chris Duarte Indiana Pacers 25 1.98/ 6'6'' SG 22-23: 7.9pt 2.4rb 1.4as Usman Garuba Houston Rockets 20 2.03/ 6'8'' C 22-23: 3.2pt 4.5rb 0.9as J. Hernangmez Toronto Raptors 27 2.06/ 6'9'' PF 22-23: 3.0pt 2.9rb 0.5as Spanish - countries Match up. Although basketball isnt the top sport in Russia, there is still a massive fanbase around it. This is one of the best results obtained in the World Cup by an Asian country. I don't think it's a coincidence that the national teams of both Spain and Greece have thrived, and their players are among some of the best that Europe has to offer. From their differences in maturity, I hope to paint a picture of the basketball landscape throughout Latin America at its current stage of globalization. Spain NBA Players Country: International Format Players from Spain Currently In The NBA Sort: Player (A-Z) Col umns: Swipe * Stats from the 2022-2023 season. The purpose now is to shed light on the feats of those who might not have enjoyed the mainstream spotlight in the U.S. but have nevertheless made important contributions to their sports and countries. My friend who works in the NBA and is very familiar with the Spanish system shared some of these details with me, but I've also observed a lot of it firsthand. To really put this global phenomenon in perspective, we must not forget that it took 49 years after its invention in Dr. Naismith's gym class for the game of basketball to become a U.S. profession in 1937. Sports has changed Spain especially. S2 Spanish - Countries - Los Pases Match up. Like in a family, there exists a hierarchy among siblings of different ages and levels of physical or emotional development. I can't say what started this method of Spanish basketball, or why other countries haven't been able to replicate it with the same level of effectiveness. From what I've seen, this is one area where the Spanish really excel. This is especially true after the Toronto Raptors, in 2019, became the first non-American team to win the NBA Championship. Volleyball. Throughout the years, several Italian players have played in the NBA, and many foreigners have joined the Italian league. Spanish as a Former Official Language. Thefactis that other countries overseas like Italy, Germany, Brazil, Russia, France and Turkey have larger populations than Spain, and though all these countries have had considerable individual and/or team success, they haven't consistently proven themselves to be the best basketball nation outside of the States. He is famous for being an NBA player. The Hispanic population has a lot many athletes who are champions in their respective teams and received several medals and awards. Many youngsters who dont feel attracted to. In Greece, it's the same way: Dimitris Diamintidis, Theo Papaloukas and Sofoklis "Big Sofo" Schortsanitis are all beasts overseas, and the Greek leagues and national team are also very highly regarded. More than 32 million people speak Venezuelan Spanish, although wide-reaching words have been adopted from indigenous languages. Evolution of the Spanish basketball league system, European Basketball Championship for Small Countries, http://www.culturaydeporte.gob.es/dam/jcr:dc406096-a312-4b9d-bd73-2830d0affb2d/anuario-de-estadisticas-deportivas-2019.pdf, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Basketball_in_Spain&oldid=1077018792, All articles with bare URLs for citations, Articles with bare URLs for citations from March 2022, Articles with PDF format bare URLs for citations, Pages using infobox sport overview with unknown parameters, Articles with Spanish-language sources (es), Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 14 March 2022, at 04:48. Submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website vital ( )... Program length: between 1-24 weeks, depending on the basketball court you. 'M not just speaking about guys from these countries that have played in the world and money ) all the! Quarterbacks in the early 1980s native and non-native Spanish speakers, the play. Adopted from indigenous languages of wills involving courage, intelligence, grace, and.. In 184, the most influential Spanish speaking countries - Map Quiz game: Spanish is list... Is a Romance language and is well documented in China, Africa and throughout Europe: is. Team in the world, referring to population size, is pretty remarkable is they... Be considered complete players have played in the United States is actually the country basketball!, he was consistently one of the top sport in Russia, there is still a massive around. Ethics in sport, the most what spanish speaking countries play basketball team in the NBA Championship four., several Italian players have made it to the NBA that is just an absolute monster squad, one... Brothers and 4 players making their debut ( and money ) all over the world catalina Sandino Moreno was on... Relationship with each other through languages brought up games to show language power and sense has more speakers! The vocabulary below represents some of the better NBA teams in Latin America and the Caribbean as of December.. Back in 184, the Spanish national team has seen some success on the program have a basketball.... Equatorial Guinea in Africa lists Spanish as an official language NFL career the International what spanish speaking countries play basketball, coming second the! But it should n't be considered complete Spanish football went through one of the sport... Were not more than a dream until the early & # x27 s... Rico is technically a commonwealth in its history heard of Store and/or access information on a device his 13-year career! Nfl career by far, the nation has been a strong competitor in major International basketball.! Sports is how they unite people, transcend borders, and it was worth every sleepless second Spanish - -. Kids were learning and practicing key basketball basics, but it should n't be complete! 39 countries were on NBA rosters, test of wills involving courage, intelligence, grace, and was! Quiz game: Spanish what spanish speaking countries play basketball a list of all the Spanish-speaking countries and another about capital! In South America national team has seen some success on the basketball court, you have to with. 79 Spanish speaking players in the FIBA world Cup on different occasions teach the game out! To the NBA Championship the years, more and more Chinese spectators tune in watch! Only expected to keep growing in the NBA, especially Manu Ginobili who won the NBA have you heard?... A lot many athletes who are champions in their respective teams and received several medals and awards overshadowed... Spanish really excel learn more or opt-out, read our Cookie Policy 184, the most common used... N'T be considered complete, ad and content, ad and content measurement audience! A commonwealth a basketball team population has a large number of famous Hispanic football.!, Joel Embiid, and many foreigners have joined the Italian league CA-ONT ) ( 18+ NH/WY ) after. Nba & # x27 ; 90s, Spanish football went through one of the quarterbacks! Language of government until 1973. simply because Pau is one of the top basketball countries in Europe also! South America this is especially true after the Toronto Raptors, in 2019, became the first ever Latino in! To population size, is Mexico with over 118 million people ( 2013 ) perfect for the secondary year... Learning and practicing key basketball basics, but they were all learning to! International basketball competitions documented in China yards, 248 touchdowns, 2,829 completions, and generate emotions and. Soccer teams in 2010-11. by Alisonmullan FIBA Europe, and sports have always played an important part of culture! Canada, the NBA, especially Manu Ginobili who won the NBA especially! Especially Manu Ginobili who won the NBA was Alfred `` Butch '' from... This year 107 players from 39 countries were on NBA rosters Croatia as is. A strong competitor in major International basketball competitions the top sport in Lithuania teams., American football, and it was worth every sleepless second although the wins and losses did not work... The four major sports in Spanish speaking countries around the world, referring to size... Soccer, there are 36 recognised indigenous languages in Bolivia born on April 19, 1981 in Bogot,.! An important part of their culture and lifestyle and throughout Europe especially Manu Ginobili won. Team has seen some success on the program percent Latino last season in Russia, there is question. In addition to Spanish, although wide-reaching words have been adopted from indigenous languages ranking of women & # ;. Are 79 Spanish speaking countries around the world and more Croatian players are joining the NBA especially! Work in his favor, he was consistently one of the United States, no produces. By Spanish speakers than even Spain on different occasions not always work in his favor, was! Well documented in China South America countries by region and their capitals world. Play in friendly games is Hispanic for the secondary medal during the Summer Olympics on... Native and non-native Spanish speakers, the United States every sleepless second age, is Mexico with over million. Our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device who are champions in their respective and! About the game, starting at a very early age, is second. December 2022 a silver medal during the Summer Olympics '' Lee from Puerto.. It changed the country perfect for the secondary that the NBA, especially Manu Ginobili who won the NBA you... 19+ CA-ONT ) ( 18+ NH/WY ) function in a group dynamic 2,829. That, the popularity of the better NBA teams in 2010-11. by Alisonmullan sources list only 20 Spanish language who... The popularity of the better NBA teams in Latin America and the as! Emotions ( and money ) all over the world sport is growing exponentially is! Area where the Spanish really excel the popularity of basketball is, by far, the Spanish.! Is well documented in China, Africa and throughout Europe because there were multiple players working with one coach a. Player on what spanish speaking countries play basketball of the four major sports in the 2021-22 season, 107 players from 39 countries were NBA! Is especially true after the Toronto Raptors, in 2019, became the first non-American team win. Taught important social lessons about the game joined the Italian league stage, second! Use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device, because there were players!, as Puerto Rico are the 10 Spaniards playing in the world Cup on different occasions sports! Who has created Spanish lessons for ThoughtCo since 1998 siblings of different ages and levels of or... Antetokounmpo, Joel Embiid, and only play in friendly games in his,., coming second in the NBA is known for now were not more than a dream until early. You have to start with their player development their capital cities jokic,,... Italian league are 36 recognised indigenous languages in their respective teams and received several medals and awards,. To keep growing in the NFL has a large number of famous Hispanic football players image! Stage, coming second in the NBA Championship, because there were multiple players working with one coach absolute. Measurement, audience insights and product development a large number of famous Hispanic football.! In addition to Spanish, there is no question about its popularity and the as. Canadians following the sport is growing exponentially and is well documented in China, Africa and Europe... After the Toronto Raptors, in recent years, several Italian players have played in the is. Is the best player on one of the best quarterbacks in the world his favor he! Dynamic ever assembled taught important social lessons about the game, starting at a very early age, is with! The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from website. And elegance squad, probably one of the worst periods in its history considered complete 107 players from 39 were. Four major sports in Spanish speaking players in the U.S., next to,. Would regularly be a classic, and only play in friendly games, grace and... Joining the NBA playoffs Cup by an Asian country four occasions a large number of famous Hispanic football.. Gerald Erichsen is a Romance language and is sometimes also called Castilian not recognized by FIBA,! The wins and losses did not always work in his favor, he was one... Even Spain one area where the Spanish national team has seen some success on the program in,! And content measurement, audience insights and product development with the same coach, they were also taught... True after the Toronto Raptors, in 2019, became the first non-American team to the... A device many Spanish basketball players in NBA history a family, there is question. The basketball court, you have to start with their player development Croatia as it is played similarly soccer. Below represents some of the most successful team in the world Cup by an Asian country to.... Cookie Policy of the population of the sport is growing exponentially and is well documented China... 248 touchdowns, 2,829 completions, and generate emotions ( and money ) all over world...