In Latin America, the popularity of the sport is growing rapidly and the most recent of talent into the NBA is migrating from Latin America. The cultural popularity of the sport was growing exponentially and is well documented in China with the likes of Yao Ming and Jeremy Lin who are Asian sensations. With Latin American backgrounds integrating into the game of basketball, I wonder how these international translations are in turn changing the game we see at home. In Latin America, where the climate and geographies are so much different than the one in the United States, we find growth in basketball. Though the NBA in Latin America is growing, it is still not a hit in Central and South America. Though whenever you go either it is Latin America, China, America, etc… there is always someone playing the game. Even in the likes of Mexico, they are mostly known for militant based political revolution than anything else, but basketball courts do exist. The courts might be used for other things like farming during the day, but you will always see some kid playing and working on his game. Just like what I do when I am in my hometown hooping outside of my house, no court just the concrete and the hoop I have next to my garage. The growth of basketball throughout Latin America region is unexpected, only because they compete for national attention in their number one sport soccer. Basketball has to compete in Central American countries like El Salvador, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Cuba, and Brazil. Volleyball is also a sport that is highly accepted, but mostly in Brazil and Argentina. However, the basketball being played in soccer dominating countries is often influenced by soccer, but depends on the development of the country. “I know in Argentina [basketball] is very popular. Of course, not even close to soccer, and it never will be, but as far as a second sport in my country it is popular,” Ginobili said. “We’re never gonna get the kind of attention and media that [soccer does]. But it is finally… I really believe that it is probably the second sport in South America.” (Manu Ginobili) As I was saying the way basketball is represented and soccer are completely different and it is hard to try to compete. Basketball just plays their sport and soccer plays theirs, but soccer will always rain supreme. With the likes of players like Lionel Messi, Gonzalo Higuain, Sergio Aguero, and Javier Pastore; basketball will have to wait in line with the rest of the sports in Argentina. In countries without the luck of getting great coaches and good understanding of the game, the influence of soccer is crucial in the game of basketball. Passing is the only way to advance up the field the easiest in soccer, passing is natural when soccer players step on the court in Latin America. Players often understand the offense spacing on the floor, leading to a higher chance of exploiting the defense just like in soccer. When you use the width of the field in soccer, the defense is more exposed and the field so there is more room and holes to play the ball and to get a chance on goal. This is true in basketball, when the fast break occurs. In Latin America you will always find a player dribbling the ball, but the importance of advancing the play is with the pass, which is often a natural idea even for young Latino players. In countries like Brazil and Argentina, basketball players seem to have a higher basketball IQ, and general understanding of teamwork. It seems just like the likes of European style basketball only because soccer always reigns supreme there as well. This is just one example of adapting to cultural differences. In Europe they have many leagues: Barclays, La Liga, Bundesliga, etc… Latino basketball was hard to get use too until in 2003 when Argentinean Manu Ginobili (Spurs) and Brazilian Nené (Nuggets) both scored double digits in points per game for the year, solidifying them as impact players at the highest level of play. Yet it could be argued that the current South American influence began in 2002, the year Manu Ginobili joined the San Antonio Spurs, and the same year in which Nené was drafted. “I think the arenas are really full and people are gonna love it, but I’m not sure if it’s gonna increase the popularity of the game,” Ginobili said. “Because then you’ve gotta build and you’ve gotta work hard to promote it, and I don’t see that going on.” (Manu Ginobili) Manu Ginobili thinks that with the wide spread fame of the two playing basketball, it still needs to do more than just show them off to the public eye. They need to promote more basketball and get more clinics so kids can learn the game. Either way, across the United States, Nené and Ginobili are household names from a region that is changing the game rapidly before our eyes. They are the Lionel Messi’s and Ronalinho’s of their native countries, but in the basketball aspects. Latin American basketball started with the first ever Latino player in the NBA, Alfred Lee from Puerto Rico. He was drafted in 1978 to the Atlanta Hawks, and scored closest to 10 points per game his rookie year. He played only for a few more until he ended his season due to injury, but before retiring, he won a championship with Magic Johnson and the Lakers. Lee returned to Puerto Rico and became a head coach in the National Superior Basketball League, a summer league. The influence of Latin Americans in the NBA reached included Ramon Rivas, Rafael Ortix, and Carlos Arroyo. The newest generation of Latino players has made the greatest impact on our game, most significantly in these 2004 Olympics, when Puerto Rico and Argentina both beat a United States team lead by Tim Duncan and Allen Iverson. These losses were the first since professional athletes were allowed to participate in Olympic games, an era that began with the Dream Team's inception and annual dominance in 1992, and humiliatingly eliminated them from competition. "I'm humiliated, not for the loss -- I can always deal with wins and losses -- but I'm disappointed because I had a job to do as a coach, to get us to understand how we're supposed to play as a team and act as a team, and I don't think we did that," Larry Brown said. (US 3-24) The US never loses, especially to a team like Puerto Rico and Argentina. The United States every year in the Olympics should go out there knowing they are going to win every game by at least 20. They are always considered the dream team, which they should be since the United States produces the best basketball talent of them all. That is like Spain whenever they play teams like the United States in soccer, the United States should just go in the game knowing they are going to lose. This event showed all of Latin America and the world that the United States is beatable at their own game. But more so, it gave Latino players confidence to not only compete at the highest level of play in the world, but also impact the NBA game using their unique style of play and interpretations of the game. The foreign players who fill today's NBA rosters bring a persona from their home cultures influenced by attitudes and values of their national culture. For example, Eduardo Najera's well known hustler on the basketball court shows a work ethic specific to Mexico, where the same focused and professional diligence can be observed in his countrymen when undertaking even the simplest of household duties. There are other Latinos currently making their personal and cultural mark on the NBA. Consider the passion and exuberant self-pride found in the vibrant cultures of the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico as characteristics of the on-court personas their NBA representatives are proud of. The personalities of Sacramento Kings shooting guard Francisco Garcia and fellow countryman Felipe Lopez of the Dominican Republic, as well as celebrated Puerto Rican, and Orlando Magic point guard Carlos Arroyo and now for Beskitas in Belgium are what the people of their Caribbean countries are known for. They wear their true colors on their sleeves as they leave their cultural footprints on our NBA courts. As Latino players emmigrate to the NBA, their personalities and cultures flavor the league with new styles of play and approaches to the game, creating diversity that breeds basketball evolution. America is beginning to respect and learn about basketball in other countries, and this changing landscape is creating a bunch of basketball knowledge and talent in the NBA. But what do the basketball cultures look like where these Latin American players come from? From Belize to Colombia, Uruguay to the well-established basketball countries of Argentina and Brazil, you can see a progression of basketball infrastructure. Like in a family, there exists a hierarchy among siblings of different ages and levels of physical or emotional development. The basketball cultures of these Latin American countries display obvious categorical differences among them. From their differences in maturity, I hope I show what basketball is like throughout Latin America at its current stage of globalization. Now I will discuss the different cultures in many countries of Latin American backgrounds.
Belize is a basketball country that needs a prayer. They have no chance, maybe thirty years of focused hard work to make an impact on the NBA. Soccer is the number one sport in Belize, but basketball is second to it. Current NBA Players that come from Belize are, Milt Palacio, Utah Jazz. Milt Palacio is a Belizean citizen, born in Los Angeles, CA to Belizean parents. Names. Most North Americans don't even know that Belize is a country because I know I did not. Belize may be the only country in the world that includes NBATV as part of the nation-wide basic cable television package. Not even in the States is it as widely distributed. Anyone with a television has access to the NBA year-round. The NBA's embrace of African American culture through hip-hop has made it even more popular among Belizean youths. The best level of basketball in the country is the semi-professional league, the Belize Basketball Association (BBA). Players are athletic and play a fast paced open-court style. “The BBF’s mission is to grow and develop all aspects of basketball in Belize through collaboration, inclusion, proper organization and full accountability.” (BBA) But because of lack of basic basketball education and limited infrastructure, Belizeans play with a YMCA-style misdirection that is frustrating to watch. Players are not accustomed to the ideas of team defense at any age level, and many other basic basketball fundamentals are simply non-existent. The BBA is a league that is struggling simply to stay active. The 2005 BBA season was cancelled due to economic reasons, and in the last year the league underwent a massive reconstruction involving several franchises changing hands. It is now called the BBF, standing for the Belize Basketball Federation. But for the first time in history, the 6-team league was able to get fully organized by holding a player draft with a lottery system in 2006. Players look up to NBA all-stars. Coaches and league administrators look up to the success of other Latin American countries. Yet at this point Belize can only dream of being a great basketball country. However, due to the countrywide infatuation with the sport and the athleticism of the Belizean players, don't be surprised to see Belize pop up on the basketball radar of NBA scouts over the next 15 - 20 years.
Colombia is a country of future promise on the court. Basketball Popularity in Columbia is Third to soccer and Cycling. There are currently no Columbian based players in the NBA. Names you could see picked in the NBA draft in the next 5-9 years are Freddy Asprílla; Juan Palacios. Colombian Prospect is Freddy Asprilla, of Calusa Prep. in Miami, Florida. Basketball Culture in Colombia is an up-and-coming basketball country. Talent-wise, they are part of the lesser-known second tier of basketball countries in Latin America that includes Mexico, Panama, Venezuela and Chile, among others. They strive to be as developed as Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, Brazil and Argentina, but they simply don't have a long history of established basketball programs. Like Belize, there are many athletic players in this country, and the style of play is fluid with an emphasis on up-tempo play. Interestingly, gender issues influence Colombian basketball culture. Because of Colombia's socially progressive culture, women have many options for sports even including rugby and have predominantly chosen basketball. Colombia takes pride in their highly developed women's basketball leagues that are used to preparing players for top competition. Colombia is only recently coming onto the scene an producing high caliber players. Their prized prospect, Freddy Asprilla, is currently playing at Calusa Prep. High School in Miami, Florida. As a true power forward, Asprilla is thought of to have a much more polished game with the athleticism to match when compared to countryman and potential. He is headed to Canisius, he was currently enrolled in Kansas State but transferred. "After talking with his mom in Colombia, he has decided to push back his professional career and has verbally committed Canisius University," Alvarez said in a text. "His mom wants him to finish his education and graduate with a degree. He is very appreciative of Kansas State and Coach Frank Martin. He learned a lot from Coach Martin and he wishes the Wildcats tremendous success.” (Campus Cornor) 2006 second round draftee Juan Palacios who has had a successful career thus far at the University of Louisville under Rick Pitino. Though the country's player representatives are eager to show the worth of their talent, beyond Asprilla there is not a whole lot to get excited about if you're looking for the next NBA superstar.
Uruguay is a country with a lot of potential with players who have the skills to become a country power house soon enough. Basketball is second to soccer, but there is not very many sports nationally to compete with. Currently there are players like Esteban Batista, Atlanta Hawks. Uruguay is losing ground to basketball powerhouse neighbors Brazil and Argentina, yet it is far from a new sport. Uruguay's National Basketball Federation began back in 1915, and the country has been on the global basketball map since the 1930 Olympics when they won the bronze medal. “The Uruguayan Federation of Basketball and sports organizations in their capacity as organizers of shows basquetbolisticos, seek the cooperation of the Ministtry of the Intereiro to excerse the Right of Admission and Stay of spectators at these events, either individually or collectively, in order to prevent and eradicate acts that could lead to episodes of violence or disorderly during the development of such shows or on the occasion of the celebration of them.” (FUBB) Young players can look to Esteban Batista, backup center for the Atlanta Hawks as a role model on the court. But the fact that Batista didn't even start playing basketball until he was 17 years old is just one sign that basketball is not a societal priority in Uruguay. The fundamentals of shooting mechanics, team defense, and movement without the ball are new ideas for these players. Mario has forty years of coaching experience around the world. His hands-on contributions to legitimize the basketball played on the international stage are noteworthy. Despite Batista's presence in the NBA, Uruguay will not be making a global impact any time soon.
Argentina set the tone on how basketball should be played in Latin American countries, or how their type of style should be played world wide. In Argentina they are second to soccer. Currently there are 4 NBA Players; Emanuel "Manu" Ginobili, San Antonio Spurs; Andres Nocioni, Chicago Bulls; Carlos Delfíno, Detroit Pistons; Fabricio Oberto, San Antonio Spurs. In a country with a competitive sports atmosphere comparable to the United States, it's a wonder that so many children choose to play basketball with all the other sports at their disposal. Most of this has to do with the success of Manu Ginobili, who many South Americans consider the Argentinean Michael Jordan, and have elevated him to rock-star status. “We Latinos are in a growing stage in the NBA. It’s all part of the international basketball boom.” (Ginobili) While his ability is certainly not at the same level, the search is on for the next Manu. There is a lot of exceptional talent in this country, but Manu's athleticism is an outlier compared to the typical Argentinean basketball player. If anyone embodies the stereotype of the Argentinean basketball player, it is former Temple University point guard Juan "Pepe" Sanchez. Composed and intelligent, Pepe knows he's not the most athletic player on the floor but he uses positioning to separate himself from the competition, literally and figuratively. Pepe is an idol to the average Argentinean because he used his mind to reach the NBA. I watched him the three point contest this year in 2012 on ESPN and he got second, but watching him shoot he is a for sure NBA Prospect. If you watch Argentinean soccer match, you will notice that the same style of play that has made Pepe Sanchez successful on the basketball court is also what makes Argentineans successful on the soccer field. When faced with the realities of one's athletic limitations, a good athlete will use anything to gain advantage in the throws of competition. Unfortunately, this has created a weird body contact and a surprising and unique phenomenon on the court that is tarnishing the game in Argentina. Argentineans play basketball like they play soccer, literally. They have turned basketball into an art form, simultaneously playing the ball while fighting with the opposing player for position. It is astounding how they can keep their concentration on playing each sport (basketball or soccer) with all the intentional grabbing, pushing, and general use of the other players balance and positioning to their advantage. Anytime there is contact, the offensive player and his defender are both using sly, underhanded techniques to get the referee to make the call in their favor. I call it flopping or diving, which is unjust way to get a call, but what is the saying “do whatever it takes to win.” Essentially, both players are fouling each other in every situation, ensuring that if their initial authentic performance doesn't get the job done on the court they are at least baiting the referee. Thus each referee decision is an extremely difficult one to call, which wouldn't be such a problem if it didn't change the game so dramatically by turning it into a contact sport. Not surprisingly, this is much more of a problem in Argentina than in other soccer-oriented countries like Brazil, where players use their athleticism to gain the competitive edge in basketball. But can you fault Argentinean players for their effort and intelligence?
The referees are often forced to make the call based on which player demonstrates the most aggressive strategy on a particular play. Making refs use a style of play with a toned-down approach would for sure result in loss. With such intelligent scrappiness is exactly the way a good coach would want them to play. Argentinean golden boy Manu Ginobili plays with this same approach, but as he is a multiple slam dunk contest winner growing up in Argentina, he has the athleticism to rise above a reliance on these physical shenanigans to separate himself from the competition. Ginobili is exceptional at making and taking contact, using crafty body control techniques while maintaining his balance to finish at the rim. There are many other Argentinean players who must be as aggressive and scrappy in as much of a soccer oriented way as possible to make up for lack of natural athleticism. Looking at how Argentina is seen by their neighbors because of the impact their players are making in the NBA, there doesn't seem to be a reason for Argentinean basketball to change its unique style of play. Argentina will continue to be a Latin American leader on the international basketball stage, proud of having set the mold for exceptional coaching and well-established system for talent development.
Brazil’s Basketball Popularity is third behind volleyball and soccer. Currently there are a good amount of NBA Players: Nené, Denver Nuggets; Leandro Barbosa, Phoenix Suns; Anderson Varejáo, Cleveland Cavaliers, Rafael Araujo, Utah Jazz, Marcus "Marquinhos" Viera Vinicius , New Orleans Hornets. All of Brazil was shocked when Rafael Araujo was picked 8th by the Toronto Raptors in the 2004 NBA draft. This might not seem strange at first, since the rest of the basketball world was also scratching their heads, but wouldn't you think he'd be more highly thought of in his home country? Brazilians thought he was a solid player, but not that good, especially since his big, hulking composite represents the worst of the prototypical Brazilian athlete. Brazil seems to be a country of natural born athletes, a society that loves sports and plays them all with the utmost agility. This is the country that is for sure the best at the number one sport on the globe: SOCCER. They are a people known for MMA, the martial art that focuses on core strength, balancing on your feet in awkward positions, and on your hands when necessary. You are sure to come upon locals playing volleyball in the sand, yet it wouldn't be rare if you saw them playing without their hands, amazingly using only their feet to kick the ball over the net to the opposing team.
In Rio de Janeiro you will find beach basketball courts laid on top of the sand, and mobile courts on wheels that are driven onto the beach. Brazil has adopted basketball as a rapidly growing subculture. Within Latin America, the professional street ball league AND 1 has expanded into Argentina, Chile, and Brazil, but is the best fit for Brazil's street culture. In a culture famous for its gaudy carnival parades, street basketball fits right in. There are several thriving amateur street ball leagues for both men and women with one-on-one, two-on-two, three-on-three and four-on-four tournaments played in Sao Paulo ever year. The loose style of play, where traveling is allowed, is organized similarly to the traditional And1 model, but the baskets are sometimes set lower than 10ft for more impressive trick dunks. These leagues are connected directly with hop-hop and underground art culture, where you can find the b-boy, Graffiti, DJ, and break dancing culture of the 1980s reproduced in its international contemporary form. Like in the US we have our hip hop culture and b-boy styles as well, example the Red Bull Tournament. While much of basketball culture in the United States has been adopted here in Brazil, it has taken on its own flavor influenced by national identity and street culture. One of Brazil's Indoor Streetball leagues, "SEBAR". In a country with a first world infrastructure and attitude, especially in the expansive and modern urban centers, basketball culture is thriving. The youth basketball leagues use the same structural system today, as was in place when they started in the 1950s, although they were actually more popular back then than they are now. Yet basketball was first introduced to Brazil as a sport for women, since soccer was supposedly a game for men. This caused many men to shy away from playing. Basketball was further stifled in the 1980s when the Brazilian volleyball team began winning Olympics medals consistently. Volleyball blew up to become immensely popular and solidified itself as the second most popular sport in the country behind soccer. Despite the efforts of the courageous and enigmatic. Yet the popularity of And1 and the recent success of NBA players Nené and Leandro Barbosa are spawning a snowball-like resurgence of the sport in Brazil. The competition in the Brazilian Basketball Confederation and the Federation of Basketball of Sao Paulo is somewhere around U.S. Division 1, NIAA, or NIT basketball. There are modern gymnasiums, solid coaching for youths and adults, and there are lots of potential NBA prospects around the country. Brazil's rivalry with Argentina is well documented, and while many in both countries agree that Argentina currently has better coaching, several Argentinean scouting contacts revealed to me that Brazil has more talent. Brazil has the quintessential make-up of a great basketball country because they possess modern infrastructure, and superior athletes. The fact that Brazil is by far the biggest country in Latin America and takes up half the size of the South American continent makes it fairly easy to understand why the country is producing the most talent in Latin America. Yet Brazilian basketball has not yet reached its potential and is developing coaching and player development personnel. Brazil has loads of promising young players and needs to take its talent more seriously if it wants the rest of the world to do the same. It is not easy to make an impact in the NBA for any South American country, yet over the next 5-10 years as the coaching in country improves, look for Brazil to be a major player in the NBA draft.
Each country, in varying influences, is making its mark on the trajectory of the global game. Each has its own interpretation of how basketball should be played, and each translation changes the way the game is played at home. Even if the country, like Belize for instance, is only trying to mimic the style and feel of the NBA game, their identity on the court is just that, their own. Each variation is modification. Each Latino in the NBA is an idol to his people, because each NBA game leaves children practicing what they just saw, oceans away. Each ball bouncing is development, progress, the basketball metastasis. Thus continues the globalization of the game.

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