The upcoming 2014-2015 regular season showed that the NBA continues to acknowledge talents from all over the world, particularly Latin America. In a report by Forbes.com, several players from South America have joined the NBA, building a reputation for being among the best basketball stars the sport has ever witnessed.
Here are the five Latino players to watch out for in the new season.
1. Emanuel Ginobili
According to NBA.com, Manu Ginobili has been a member of the San Antonio Spurs since 2002, although the team drafted him in 1999. The Argentina native is one of only two players to achieve a Euroleague title, an Olympic gold medal and an NBA championship. The two-time All-Star has won four NBA championships in all and was NBA Sixth Man of the Year in 2008. In 2013-2014 season, he averaged 12.3 points, 4.3 assists and 3.0 rebounds a game.
2. Pau and Marc Gasol
Both brothers are from Spain. Pau stands 7'0" while Marc is 7'1". The older Pau Gasol entered the NBA in 2002, earning the Rookie of the Year Award. He won two NBA championships with the Los Angeles Lakers. Before he was traded to the Chicago Bulls, Pau averaged 17.4 points, 9.7 rebounds and 1.5 blocks a game. Marc Gasol entered the NBA in 2007 and earned the Defensive Player of the Year Award in 2013. In the previous season, he averaged 14.6 points, 7.2 rebounds and 1.3 blocks per game.
3. Leandro Barbosa
The Brazilian joined the NBA in 2003 and has played for several teams like the Phoenix Suns, Toronto Raptors, Indiana Pacers, Boston Celtics and Washington Wizards. In the previous season and his return to the Suns, he averaged 7.5 points, 1.9 rebounds and 1.6 assists per game.
4. Al Horford
In a report by Ranker.com, Horford is from the Dominican Republic who was drafted by the Atlanta Hawks in 2007. In the 2013-2014 season, he averaged a career-best 18.6 points, 8.4 rebounds and 1.5 blocks a game. He also plays for the national team of his native country.
5. Nene
He was first recognized in the 2001 Goodwill Games while playing for Brazil. The Brazilian power forward joined the NBA in 2002, becoming the first Brazilian to be selected in the first round of the NBA Draft. In the 2013-2014 season, Nene averaged 14.2 points, 5.5 rebounds and 2.9 assists while playing for the Washington Wizards.