Who are the greatest Mexican basketball players of all time?

Since its invention in 1891 by James Naismith, Basketball has become one of the most famous sports in the world. Under the National Basketball Association, the sport has gathered a massive fan base with players hailing from all corners of the world. However, although most NBA players are mainly from the United States of America, some Mexican basketball players have infiltrated the ranks and have gone down in history as the GOATs.

With Horacio Llamas being the first Mexican drafted into the NBA, others have followed in his footsteps. Over the past few decades, it is without a doubt that the sport has become famous throughout the country and will remain so in the coming days.

Top 10 greatest Mexican basketball players of all time

To become more international and produce more talents that can attract the interest of the NBA franchise, Mexico has developed a program in her capital city to draft more athletes into the NBA.

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According to various online sources, here is a list of history's top Mexican basketball players as of 2023.

10. Víctor Ávila

• Age: 46 years of age as of June 2023
• Position: Centre
• Team(s): Atleticos de San German, Halcones UV Xalapa, Caballeros de Culiacán
• Achievement(s): Mexico LNBP MVP, Mexico CIBACOPA Champion, Mexico Southern Division CIBACOPA Champion, Mexico LNBP Champion

Victor Avila is one of the best Mexican basketball players as of 2023. He is famous in over three countries since he has played in several of them, most recently for the Caballeros de Culiacán of the CIBACOPA league.

In his 13-year career, the renowned athlete has been part of his country's national team, and in doing so, he has taken home several awards and trophies.

9. Omar Quintero

• Age: 41 years of age as of June 2023
• Position: Point guard
• Team(s): Gigantes de Guayana
• Achievement(s): 2-times CIBACOPA champion, 6-times LNBP All-Star, FIBA AmeriCup Top Scorer

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Omar is a famous Mexican basketball player who plays for the Gigantes de Guayana in Venezuela and his national team. Aside from playing for the Venezuelan League, he also played for the Spanish League and some local teams in his country.

During the 2004/05 season, the renowned legend contributed nine points in two games after coming from the bench. Additionally, in 2008, Omar was part of the Cariduros de Fajardo team of the Puerto Rican BSN division.

8. Romel Beck

• Age: 41 years of age as of June 2023
• Position: Forward, shooting guard
• Team(s): Correcaminos UAT Victoria, Dakota Wizards, Pioneros de Quintana Roo, Aguacateros de Michoacan
• Achievement(s): LNBP champion, LNBP All-Star, NBA D-League All-Star

Among the best Mexican basketball players is Romel Beck, a shooting guard for the Aguacateros de Michoacan of the Liga and his national team. He is famously known for dribbling past the all-time legend Kobe Bryant and bagging a four-point shot.

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Since he debuted in 2005, Romel has played for several teams, including the Florida Flames and the Dakota Wizards. Although undrafted in the 2009 NBA draft, he was the standout and top National Basketball Association Development League scorer.

7. Jorge Gutierrez

• Age: 34 years of age as of June 2023
• Position: Point guard
• Team(s): BG Göttingen, Peristeri, Astros de Jalisco, Brooklyn Nets, and Charlotte Hornets Libertadores de Querétaro, Milwaukee Bucks
• Achievement(s): Pac-12 Player of the Year, 2-times First-team All-Pac-12, Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year, 3-times Pac-12 All-Defensive Team, LNBP Mexican MVP

Jorge is among the famous Mexican basketball players in the NBA. For almost three seasons, he has played for several teams, including the Brooklyn Nets and the Charlotte Hornets. In his sophomore year, he played for the Golden Bears.

The renowned legend debuted with his country's national team during the 2013 and 2014 FIBA Championships and averaged 9.2 points in the FIBA World Cup.

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6. Juan Toscano-Anderson

• Age: 30 years of age as of June 2023
• Position: Small forward
• Team(s): Fuerza Regia, Santa Cruz Warriors, Golden State Warriors, Los Angeles Lakers, Utah Jazz
• Achievement(s): 2022 NBA champion, 2-times LNBP champion, LNBP Most Valuable Player, 2-times LNBP All-Star, 2-times LNBP All-Star Game MVP

Some Mexican basketball players in the NBA, such as Juan Toscano-Anderson and Jorge Gutierrez, are regarded as all-time greats due to their achievements. Juan made history by becoming one of the few Latinos to bag an NBA championship trophy.

The famous athlete debuted for his current team, the Utah Jazz, on 15 February 2023, and he is posting incredible statistics. Additionally, he made a record as a standout athlete for his national team in Turin, Italy, during the 2016 FIBA World Championship.

5. Gustavo Ayón

• Age: 38 years of age as of June 2023
• Position: Centre
• Team(s): New Orleans Hornets, Orlando Magic, Atlanta Hawks, Milwaukee Bucks, Real Madrid, Capitanes de Arecibo, Venados de Mazatlán, Zenit Saint Petersburg
• Achievement(s): FIBA Intercontinental Cup champion, 2-times EuroLeague champion, BSN champion, 4-times Spanish League champion, 3-times Spanish Cup, and 2-times Spanish Supercup winner

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Gustavo was one of the top Mexican basketball players who has played in the NBA undrafted. He has played for several teams, including the Orlando Magic, Atlanta Hawks, New Orleans Hornets, and the Milwaukee Bucks.

Additionally, he was a member of his country's senior national team and the Spanish Nacional de Baloncesto Profesional, to which he added numerous achievements and awards to his name.

4. Horacio Llamas

• Age: 49 years of age as of June 2023
• Position: Centre
• Team(s): Sioux Falls Skyforce, Phoenix Suns
• Achievement(s): FIBA Americas League champion, LNBP, CIMEBA, and CIBACOPA champion, NCAA Division II Player of the Year, 2-times First-team CCAA

Llamas is the first player born in Mexico to play for the Suns in the National Basketball Association. He was also a starting centre for his national team, and during his active years, he contributed immensely towards his country's success.

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The renowned legend is known for his competence in crucial matches and events such as the FIBA Americas Championship, the Centrobasket, and the FIBA COCABA Championship.

3. Edgar Garibay

• Age: 33 years of age as of June 2023
• Position: Centre, forward
• Team(s): KB Peja, LA Lakers
• Achievement(s): FIBA AmeriCup 2017 bronze medal

Edgar Garibay is one of the best Mexican basketball players who joined the NBA as early as the 2000s. The legend recently signed for the KB Peja of the Kosovo Basketball Superleague and is working his way up the ranks.

Aside from being a crucial member of his national team due to his perseverance and commitment, Edgar also played for the famous LA Lakers for several seasons.

2. Eduardo Nájera

• Age: 46 years of age as of June 2023
• Position: Forward
• Team(s): Golden State Warriors, New Jersey Nets, Charlotte Bobcats, Dallas Mavericks, Denver Nuggets
• Achievement(s): Third-team All-American, First-team All-Big 12, Chip Hilton Player of the Year, Second-team All-Big 12

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Although he is retired, Eduardo Najera was among the most famous Mexican basketball players in the NBA. He is remembered for his cultural heritage and skills, making him a hard-to-beat player on the court.

After his playing years, he now works as a scout for the Dallas Mavericks. Some of the NBA teams that the legendary athlete has played for include; the Los Angeles Lakers, Portland Trail Blazers, Houston Rockets, Atlanta Hawks, and the Golden State Warriors.

1. Adam Parada

• Age: 41 years of age as of June 2023
• Position: Centre
• Team(s): Halcones UV Xalapa, Red Bull Barako, Alaska Aces, Fuerza Regia
• Achievement(s): 2-times NBA Champion, Centrobasket 2014 Gold Medal, Pan American Games 2011 Silver Medal

Adam Parada is one of the greatest Mexican basketball players of all time who made history while playing for the Alaska Aces. To most Mexicans, he was regarded as a ray of light since he played for the Warriors and his national team and posted incredible performances.

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The renowned legend holds a record in the Asian league as the first Latin-American reinforcement after a third-place finish. Additionally, he won two NBA championships with the Golden State Warriors.

Who was the first Mexican in the NBA?

Horacio Llamas Grey was the first Mexican in history to play in the National Basketball Association. He signed with the Phoenix Suns and played for two seasons.

Who was the first Mexican to win an NBA title?

While playing for the Golden State Warriors, Juan Toscano-Anderson was the first Mexican to take home an NBA title in history.

With their distinct style of play, Mexican basketball players are slowly taking their place in the arena. Mexico will be included in the fight to produce some of the best basketball talents due to their love for the sport, which is evident through their massive fan base. Mexican-born legends such as Horacio Llamas and Eduardo Najera are a true definition of greatness who left a mark and will be remembered forever.

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