The arrival of Juancho Hernangómez a Boston Celtics (via transfer with Memphis Grizzlies) has become the latest addition to a Massachusetts franchise facing the completely renewed 2021/22 NBA season, starting with the bench (Ime Udoka as the team’s new head coach).
But, in addition, the arrival of the youngest of the Hernangómez brothers to the Celtics also means the incorporation of the first player español of Boston history. A player born in Spain has never been seen in Massachusetts before.
In this way, there are only five franchises in the entire NBA that have never had a Spaniard within their respective squads. These five teams are:
- Golden State Warriors
- Indiana Pacers
- Miami Heat
- Brooklyn Nets
- Washington Wizards
Until the end of last season there were seven teams on that list: the aforementioned Boston Celtics and Houston Rockets (which will be released as soon as Usman Garuba officially debuts).
– The best plays of @Usmangaruba on the #LigaEndesa!#ACB pic.twitter.com/kRxJDAKsjT
– Endesa League (@ACBCOM) September 4, 2021
The teams with the most Spanish presence
On the contrary, there are also several NBA teams where the presence of Spanish players has been very common. Portland Trail Blazers, with four, is the most Spanish franchise in the league (Fernando Martín, Sergio Rodríguez, Rudy Fernández and Víctor Claver), followed by:
- New York Knicks: José Manuel Calderón, Sergio Rodríguez and Willy Hernangómez.
- Memphis Grizzlies: Pau Gasol, Marc Gasol and Juan Carlos Navarro (there would have been four if Juancho Hernangómez had made his debut in the upcoming season).
- Toronto Raptors: Jorge Garbajosa, José Manuel Calderón and Serge Ibaka.
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