At the age of 24, Jaime Echenique achieved what seemed impossible: that Colombia had a NBA. The pivot trained in the United States and with experience in Spain played 3 minutes for the Washington Wizards in a 110-93 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers. That was enough to make history for Latin American basketball.
“It has been an incredible day”, summed up a very emotional Echenique at the press conference after the meeting, with tears in his eyes. “I am simply happy for me, for my family, for my country and for the people who believed in me”added who signed a 10-day contract with the club in the US capital.
Campazzo is the standard-bearer for Latin America.
In this way, Colombia integrates the scant list of five South American countries with representation in the best basketball in the world. Argentina, which today has Facundo Campazzo, Gabriel Deck and Leandro Bolmaro, has a historical record of 15 players, which is the second best brand behind Brazil (18).
Venezuela completes the podium with 6. Mexico, despite its proximity to the United States and the growth of oranges in recent years, only has 5, while Uruguay enjoyed the passage of Esteban Batista, who in 2005 played for the Atlanta Hawks.
Juan Toscano Anderson is the credit of Mexico.
Bolivia could be added to this list, although official records do not. Josh Reaves, born in the United States and 24 years old, made his debut for the national team in 2021 for the 2023 World Cup. Before, in 2019, he had a very brief stint at the Dallas Mavericks when his nationality was Yankee.
CANADA, FAR AWAY
As mentioned, Brazil, with 18 players, is the South American country with the highest historical representation. However, to become the strongest American he will have to dethrone Canada. The Americans have 56 representatives, including Steve Nash and Bob Houbregs, both in the Hall of Fame.
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Colombia, the last South American to debut in the NBA