Are there Puerto Rican NBA Players?

The whole world is following games of basketball and the NBA being the top league in the sport has captured the most viewership. But it's not only fans who love NBA, but players also want to get their hands on the coveted basketball trophy in the world. The vibrant island of Puerto Rico, located in the Caribbean, is also one such country that has given many stars to NBA. They have dominated the Central American region with 11 championships and even won 2 gold medals in Pan America tournaments.

The country known for its beautiful beaches and rich culture has produced talented basketball players over the years. Several Puerto Rican players have graced the NBA with their skills and passion for the game. We will take notable players who made a huge impact in the NBA landscape.

List of Puerto Rican NBA Players

Butch Lee

A Pioneer from the Tropics One of the earliest Puerto Rican NBA players to make a name for himself was Butch Lee. Born in San Juan, Lee played college basketball at Marquette University, where he won the NCAA Championship in 1977 and earned Final Four MVP honors. He was later drafted by the Atlanta Hawks in the first round of the 1978 NBA Draft and had a brief but notable NBA career.

Butch Lee played in 91 games averaging 8 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists and a steal per game. He played for Cleveland Cavaliers and Los Angeles Lakers in his 3 years career. Lee capped off his NBA career with a championship in 1980 with LA Lakers. was the first Puerto Rican to play in the league.

José Ortiz

The Power Forward Icon José "Piculín" Ortiz became a legendary figure in Puerto Rican basketball history. Standing at 6 feet 10 inches, Ortiz was a dominant power forward who played for the Utah Jazz from 1987 to 1990. He was one of the first Puerto Rican players to make a lasting impact in the NBA, although he never won an NBA championship in his career.

Ortiz managed to win trophies in Europe and remained the dominant force in the Puerto Rican League, winning 8 championships and an MVP trophy in the process. Despite his short spell in the States, he earned massive respect for his skills and tenacity on the court and deserves a special mention in the list.

Carlos Arroyo

Splendid point guard Carlos Arroyo, from Fajardo, Puerto Rico, played for several NBA teams throughout his career. Though he went undrafted in the 2001 NBA draft, Arroyo managed to stay strong and returned to the league after a small stint in Europe. He is one of the most-played Puerto Rican players in the NBA with staggering 569 games.

He played for many teams including the Toronto Raptors, Utah Jazz, and Orlando Magic. Known for his excellent ball handling and court vision, Arroyo represented Puerto Rico in international competitions as well, becoming a beloved figure for basketball fans on the island. Although Arroyo never won the Larry O'Brien trophy, he remained an essential part of the teams he played in.

From Undrafted to NBA Champion Perhaps the most celebrated Puerto Rican NBA player, JJ Barea. Barea played the most games in NBA among the Puerto Rican players with 831 games. He won the 2011 NBA championship with Dallas Mavericks and made his mark on the world stage leading all scorers in the 2014 FIBA World Cup.

Initially, JJ Barea went undrafted in the 2006 NBA Draft but never gave up on his dream. The diminutive guard worked hard to earn a spot with the Dallas Mavericks, where he played a pivotal role in helping the team win the NBA Championship in 2011. Barea even stayed with the Mavs as a player development coach in 2021.

Maurice Harkless

One of the veteran players of the Puerto Rican and NBA is Maurice Harkless. After being drafted by the 76ers in 2012, Harkless played in 6 different NBA teams. He played for nearly 650 matches and averages 7 points and 3 rebounds per game.

Harkless has been one of the prominent Puerto Rican stars, who thrived at the national level and maintained high game standards at the international level.

Contributions to Puerto Rican Basketball The success of Puerto Rican NBA players has not only brought pride to the island but has also had a significant impact on basketball development in the country. Their achievements have inspired younger generations to pursue basketball careers and have bolstered the sport's popularity at the grassroots level.

Puerto Rican NBA players have proven their talent and determination on the basketball court. From pioneers like Butch Lee and José Ortiz to modern-day stars like JJ Barea, their journeys serve as inspiration for aspiring athletes in Puerto Rico and showcase the island's rich basketball heritage to the world.