How Mexican Basketball Players Are Rising in the NBA's Ranks
If all goes according to projections, it's only a matter of time before Karim López becomes an NBA player. To date, the presence of Mexican players in the league has been rare but meaningful.
The story began two decades ago with Horacio Llamas, who in 1996 became the first Mexican basketball player to reach the NBA when he debuted with the Phoenix Suns.
In 2000, another key figure emerged: Eduardo Nájera. He not only made it to the league but also established himself, becoming the Mexican player with the most years in the association—12 seasons in total.
Next came Gustavo Ayón, who arrived in 2011 and played for teams like the Pelicans and the Orlando Magic. Yet it was with Real Madrid in Spain's ACB League where he truly left his mark.
A new chapter followed with players of Mexican heritage, whether born or raised in the United States. One of the most prominent is Juan Toscano-Anderson, who made history as the first player of Mexican descent to win an NBA championship, achieving the feat in 2022 with the Warriors.
More recently, Jaime Jáquez Jr. has stood out as one of the top rookies of his generation with the Miami Heat. He is now a key rotational player for the Eastern Conference team.
Jorge Gutiérrez also deserves mention. He saw playing time in the NBA with the Nets, the Milwaukee Bucks, and the Hornets, though his stint was quieter than that of his peers.
