Many people know very little about just how much Argentines have dominated in the NBA. Of course, names like Manu Ginóbili and Fabricio Oberto come to mind, but there’s a lot more from where those came from.

The NBA has seen its fair share of Argentine icons. These are the best of the best who’ve proven that no matter how scarce South American talents might be, they have no problem shaking things up in the league, standing proudly among those who came from abroad to the NBA.

So, who are these icons? Let’s celebrate the absolute best from the nation, ranking the top 5 greatest Argentine players in the history of the league.

Manu Ginóbili

NBA Ranking: #199

The top spot can only go to one man — Emanuel “Manu” Ginóbili. Everyone knows the name Manu. No other South American player has left a bigger impact on the league.

The Argentine spent his early years hooping in Argentina and Italy. When the time came for a bigger challenge, Ginóbili didn’t think twice. The 6’6 guard joined San Antonio in 2002, spending his entire 16-year NBA career there.

Anyone who lived through the Spurs of the early 2000s would easily remember the “Big Three,” which involved Ginóbili, alongside Tim Duncan and Tony Parker. During their time together, every other team in the league feared a trip to San Antonio. This is a Spurs side that made the playoffs every single year Ginóbili was on the teamsheet.

It’s not hard to see why he’s the greatest Argentinian NBA player ever.

Achievements/Resumé

  • 4× NBA Champion (2003, 2005, 2007, 2014)
  • NBA Sixth Man of the Year (2008)
  • NBA All-Star (2005, 2011)
  • All-NBA Third Team (2008, 2011)
  • Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Inductee (2022)

Luis Scola

NBA Ranking: #490

Luis Scola might not have had the fame Manu Ginóbili enjoyed in the NBA. However, you can’t talk about Argentine basketball without his name coming up.

The power forward spent a lot of his early years moving from team to team. His career began when he was just 15, but he hooped like a pro. He spent three years in the Argentine League wowing fans before moving to Spanish side Saski Baskonia.

After quite the career in Europe, it was time for bigger challenges. So, he signed for the Rockets. His impact at Houston was quick. His first season went as great as any rookie would hope. He became a fan favorite and even got a place on the All-Rookie First Team. What followed was an incredible 10-year career in the NBA, with the Suns, Pacers, Raptors, and Nets.

During his time in the league, Scola averaged 12 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 1.6 assists per game.

Achievements/Resumé

  • NBA All-Rookie First Team (2008)
  • FIBA Diamond Ball MVP (2008)
  • Olympic Gold Medalist (2004)
  • Spanish League MVP (2005, 2007)
  • EuroLeague Champion (2001)

Fabricio Oberto

NBA Ranking: #2160

Everyone knows that one NBA player whose value was always underscored by their stats night after night. For Argentine players who’ve graced the NBA, that’s Fabricio Oberto.

Oberto was brought in by San Antonio in 2005 to play alongside fellow Argentine Manu Ginóbili. It was a record-breaking move for Oberto and the Spurs. At 31, he was the oldest rookie player in Spurs history. Much to his and everyone else’s dismay, he struggled for a bit in his first season. He was no longer the hot shot he used to be in Europe. That, however, didn’t stop him from helping the guys out whenever the coach needed him to. Oberto was satisfied with his new role.

In his second season, he became more of an option in the Spurs rotation. On November 8, 2006, he got his first double-double. In that game, he dropped 22 points and pulled down 10 rebounds.

Every Spurs fan can definitely remember Oberto’s 2007 playoff run. He averaged 20.8 minutes played, recording 5.6 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 0.7 assists. Oberto pulled off a playoff run that people still talk about to this day, making him one of the best Argentinian basketball players.

Achievements/Resumé

  • 1× NBA Champion (2007)
  • 1× Olympic Gold Medalist (2004)
  • 1× FIBA Americas Championship MVP (2001)

Andres Nocioni

NBA Rankings: #896

No real Bulls fan can forget “Chapu” Nocioni. Of course, his basketballing abilities were tremendous, but what truly made the Argentine memorable was how he always put his heart and soul into every single game.

Noncioni’s professional career can be traced back to the Argentine basketball League in the 1995–96 season in Racing Club de Avellaneda. Two seasons after, he was already crowned Best Sixth Man. After winning the Gold medal at the 2004 Olympics, a team in the NBA had to take a chance with him. That team was the Chicago Bulls.

He was immediately a fan favorite with Chicago. Chapu played a key role in their playoff battles in the mid-2000. Unfortunately, though, his extremely physical defensive style created quite the controversy.

As the years rolled past, his role dropped. His competitive spirit didn’t, making him one of the most memorable Argentina NBA players of his era.

Achievements/Resumé

  • 1× NBA All-Rookie First Team (2005)
  • 1× Olympic Gold Medalist (2004)
  • 1× Spanish League Champion (2005)
  • 1× EuroLeague Champion (2015)

Carlos Delfino

NBA Ranking: #1138

A versatile 6’6” small forward, Carlos Delfino carved out quite the NBA career thanks to his great shooting stroke and playmaking.

After four years in Italy, Delfino wanted brighter lights and a lot more eyes to capture his brilliance. And what lights could be brighter than the NBA’s? In the 2003 NBA Draft, Detroit selected Delfino with the 25th overall pick in the first round. He made history that night as the first Argentine player to be selected in the first round of the NBA draft.

Many expected Delfino would hit the ground running, but that just wasn’t the case. He struggled quite a bit in his first season thanks to a knee injury that sidelined him for over three months. His second season was a lot better. He began showing some of that potential the NBA world was expecting. Delfino averaged 10.7 minutes, 3.6 points, 1.7 rebounds, and 0.6 assists per game.

He eventually found himself as a rotation player for the Toronto Raptors and Houston Rockets.

Achievements/Resumé

  • 1× Olympic Gold Medalist (2004)
  • 1× Olympic Bronze Medalist (2008)
  • 1× Italian League MVP (2008)

Conclusion — A Legacy of Passion and Craft

Argentina NBA players have all had a story to tell, contributing greatly to the global influence of South American basketball players. These athletes competed at the highest levels and changed the perception of South American basketball. They’ve all played their parts, literally, to bring the soul of Argentine basketball to the world’s grandest stage

FAQs

Who was the first Argentinian to play in the NBA?

This honor doesn’t go to a single Argentinian legend. It goes to Juan Ignacio Sánchez and Rubén Wolkowyski. They both made their NBA debuts on the same day.

How many Argentine Players have played in the NBA?

We’ve had at least 16 Argentines hoop on an NBA hardwood. Newer faces like Facundo Campazzo and Leandro Bolmaro have also announced themselves in the league.

Which Argentine NBA player won the most championships?

That would be none other than Manu Ginóbili, who won four NBA championships with the San Antonio Spurs.