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Bringing Sabor to the NBA Playoffs Season! Top Latino NBA Players of All Time
Latino players have made significant contributions to the NBA over the years, bringing their unique skills and style of play to the game. The NBA has been celebrating “Noches Enebea (NBA)” for ten years now, honoring the league’s Latin American fans and players with special telecasts, jerseys, and in-arena activities throughout March.
In the spirit of this tradition, we have compiled a list of the ten best Latino NBA players of all time.
Manu Ginobili
Manu Ginobili, born in Argentina, has left a lasting impact on the NBA. Ginobili played in the league for 13 years and helped win four NBA championships and two All-Star selections along the way. He is widely regarded as one of the Best Sixth Men in NBA history.
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Ginobili’s playing style was unique and exciting, characterized by his ability to score from anywhere on the court. He averaged 14.1 points per game and was a threat from the three-point line, shooting an impressive 36.8 percent from the three-point field line. Ginobili’s all-around game was absolutely phenomenal, with career averages of four assists and 1.4 steals per game.
What set Ginobili apart from other players was his ability to perform during any critical moment. He was known for his “Ginobili moments,” where he would make a game-winning play or make a crucial shot to help his team win. Even in his later years, he remained a key player for the San Antonio Spurs, helping them reach the playoffs in his final season.
Eduardo Najera
Eduardo Najera was born in Mexico and played for over twelve years in the NBA, appearing in over three times as many games as the other three Mexican-born players combined. He played for the Dallas Mavericks, Denver Nuggets, and three other teams, always displaying a ferocious defense while at the same time attacking the hoop.
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Over his career, Najera averaged 9.8 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 1.4 steals per 36 minutes. For a brief period, he even played as the power forward, hitting 36.1% of 147 three-point attempts during the 2007-08 season with the Nuggets.
Al Horford
Al Horford, born in the Dominican Republic, has played in the NBA for eight years. He has been a formidable presence on the court season after season. Horford is known for his teamwork and leadership- traits that have helped him become one of the most respected players in the league.
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Horford’s numbers speak for themselves, with career averages of 14.3 points, 8.9 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks per game. He has also scored an impressive 53.6 percent in field goals. This season, he has added the three-point shot to his game, with a success rate of 33.9 percent.
However, it’s not just his individual numbers that make Horford one of the best Latino NBA players of all time. He has played a crucial role in his team’s success, leading the Atlanta Hawks to the playoffs in all but one of his seasons in the league. Horford’s quiet leadership style has earned him the respect of his peers and fans alike.
Leandro Barbosa
Leandro Barbosa, also known as “The Brazilian Blur,” was an exciting player to watch during his 12-year NBA career. The shooting guard played for several teams, including the Phoenix Suns and Golden State Warriors. He won the Sixth Man of the Year award in 2007 and was part of the 2015 NBA championship-winning Warriors team.
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Barbosa’s career averages of 11.1 points, 46 percent from field goals, and 38.8 percent from the three-point range, which shows his impressive scoring ability. During his award-winning season, he averaged an impressive 18.1 points and four assists per game, while shooting an incredible 43.4 percent from the three-point range.
Andres Nocioni
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Andres “Chapu” Nocioni, hailing from Argentina, played for eight years in the NBA. He made an immediate impact, averaging 11.7 points and five rebounds in his first five seasons with the Chicago Bulls, playing with a driving force and determination that allowed him to dominate the courts. Over his best four-year stretch, from 2005 to 2009, Nocioni averaged 12.8 points and 5.1 rebounds, while shooting 38.3% from the midcourt.
Carlos Delfino
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Carlos Delfino, also from Argentina, played for eight years in the NBA. It took him some time to establish himself, but once he did, he became a model three-and-D player, averaging 10.2 points and 4.2 rebounds while shooting 37.2% from the perimeter during his last five years in the league. During that same period, Delfino had a Defensive Box Plus-Minus (DBPM) of plus-0.8, the 43rd-best DBPM among the 142 players who logged as many minutes.
J.J. Barea
J.J. Barea, a former player from Puerto Rico, has managed to put together a nine-plus-year NBA career, including a critical role for the 2010-11 NBA champion Dallas Mavericks. He was the team’s backbone, averaging 17.3 points and 6.6 assists during the 2011 playoffs and starring in three games during the Finals.
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Tyson Chandler called him “our big warrior throughout the entire season” and “our spark plug.” Barea announced his retirement from professional basketball in 2022 but was hired by the Mavericks as a player development coach, alongside head coach Rick Carlisle.
Luis Scola
Luis Scola, a native of Argentina, played in the NBA for eight years, primarily for the Houston Rockets. He was known for his impressive footwork and ability to score in a variety of ways. In his best season, 2010-11, Scola averaged 18.3 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 2.5 assists per game.
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Scola’s career averages of 12.4 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 49.4 percent field goals show his impressive all-around game. He was a clever player who used his intelligence and skill to make an impact on the court.
Anderson Varejao
Anderson Varejao, also from Brazil, played 11 years in the NBA for the Cleveland Cavaliers and Golden State Warriors, among other teams. He was known for his rebounding ability and aggressive playing style on the court. Varejao’s career averages of 7.6 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 51.1 percent field goals show his impact as a rebounder.
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In 2012-13, before an injury cut his season short, Varejao was averaging an impressive 14.4 rebounds per game. He was a valuable asset to any team he played for, and his grit and energy on the court were always appreciated by fans and teammates alike.
Nene
Nene, born Maybyner Rodney Hilario, in Brazil, played 13 years in the NBA for the Denver Nuggets, Washington Wizards, and other teams. He is known for his strong offensive game, but he is also a solid defender. His career averaged 12.3 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 1.2 steals per game, showing his all-around ability.
Out of all the players in NBA history who have played as many minutes as Nene, he ranks 36th in Defensive Box Plus/Minus (DBPM) with a rating of 2.0. Although he isn’t a dominant shot-blocker, his size and strength allow him to successfully make it difficult for opponents to score.
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