The new Spanish 'golden generation' ready to conquer the NBA

The Spanish presence in the NBA is gaining strength again. Santi Aldama, Hugo González, Aday Mara, Sergio de Larrea and Baba Miller will represent national basketball in the 2026-27 season. Along with the experience of the Canary Island forward, there are four players facing very different stages in the best league in the world.

From Fernando Martín to a new generation of Spaniards

The history of Spanish players in the NBA began in 1986 when Fernando Martín was selected by the Portland Trail Blazers. The then Real Madrid player made history by becoming the first Spaniard to play in the United States. Although he did not have many opportunities, he represented an unforgettable generation that had conquered Spain's first Olympic medal in basketball in Los Angeles 1984. That silver medal had a special flavor after the final against the Dream Team, led by a Michael Jordan who was still playing in college. That same year, nationalized Johnny Rogers also arrived in the NBA.

It wasn't until 2001 that Pau Gasol took the next big step. His arrival in Memphis to play with the Grizzlies was the first stone of a golden generation, the one born in the 1980s. In 2003, Raúl López joined, and from then on, the Spanish presence continued to grow.

Between 2005 and 2016, another 13 representatives arrived. Among those born in Spain were José Manuel Calderón, Sergio Rodríguez, Jorge Garbajosa, Juan Carlos Navarro, Marc Gasol, Rudy Fernández, Ricky Rubio, Víctor Claver, Willy Hernangómez, Juancho Hernangómez, and Álex Abrines. They were joined by nationalized players Serge Ibaka and Nikola Mirotic.

The historic peak came in 2017, when ten Spaniards coincided in the competition. Seven years later, Santi Aldama was the only national representative, as Usman Garuba, who arrived in 2021 alongside the Canary forward, returned to Real Madrid that same year.

Five Spaniards for a new season

Aldama is no longer alone, and the number of Spaniards is growing again as the start of the 2026-27 season approaches. The NBA's opening to European basketball and the constant evolution of the competition have favored an increasingly close relationship between both continents. The result is a new generation of young players looking to carve out a place in the structure of American basketball.

The Canarian will be the most experienced of the group. Hugo González will face his second season, while Aday Mara, Sergio de Larrea, and Baba Miller will make their league debuts with the intention of showcasing their potential.

Santi Aldama, experience, and a new challenge in Dallas

At 25 years old, Aldama is the veteran of this Spanish representation. After solidifying himself over five seasons with the Memphis Grizzlies, he made headlines this summer with a high-profile trade that sent him to the Dallas Mavericks.

In Texas, he will share the locker room with Cooper Flagg, the young sensation of the competition and winner of last season's Rookie of the Year award. Aldama arrives after averaging 14 points and 6.7 rebounds in his last season, figures that reinforce his status as one of the best rotation big men in the NBA.

The Mavericks are still immersed in a reconstruction after the still inexplicable departure of Luka Doncic, who made a historic trade to the Los Angeles Lakers on February 1, 2021. Little remains of that team that had played in the Finals a few months earlier. Now, Dallas's project is focused on rebuilding the roster.

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Hugo González seeks to establish himself with the Celtics

Hugo González will face his second season in the NBA after a first year with the Boston Celtics in which he alternated periods with less prominence with performances as a defensive specialist within Joe Mazzulla's system. The coach fully trusts the Real Madrid youth product.

His goal now is to take a step forward, especially in three-point shooting, to secure his place in the rotation of a team that aspires to win the championship. In Boston, the memory of the elimination suffered against the Philadelphia 76ers in the last playoffs still weighs heavily.

The Celtics maintain their aspirations despite the departure of Jaylen Brown, MVP of the 2024 Finals, who headed precisely to Philadelphia. The addition of Paul George does not seem sufficient to dispel all doubts, although it remains to be seen how the team evolves and what role Hugo González eventually plays.

Aday Mara, one of the great promises of Spanish basketball

Aday Mara was selected with the 12th pick in the last draft after winning the NCAA championship with the University of Michigan. His college title marked another milestone for Spanish basketball.

The 2.21-meter center has completed a spectacular preseason under the guidance of Mark Daigneault, averaging 15 points, seven rebounds, and three blocks per game. The Oklahoma City Thunder have ambitious plans for him in the paint, and the young player has already earned the full trust of the team's veterans.

Mara is set to be one of the great promises of national basketball after the end of the golden generation. In addition, he has become one of the references for the national team facing a future that is expected to be led with determination. His talent places him among the most outstanding players of his generation.

Sergio de Larrea joins Aldama in the Mavericks

Sergio de Larrea arrives in the NBA at just 20 years old, after winning the Liga Endesa championship with Valencia Basket and being recognized as the best young player in the competition. He was initially selected with the 25th pick in the draft by the Los Angeles Lakers but ended up being traded to the Dallas Mavericks.

In Dallas, he will coincide with Santi Aldama and Kyrie Irving, a legendary figure who can become an important mentor for him. The Spaniard has shown very good performances during the preparation games. In his debut, he recorded 11 points and six assists, with a 100% success rate on three-pointers.

De Larrea will have to compete for minutes in a talented backcourt, but the current situation of the Texas franchise may favor his opportunities. The Mavericks are in full reconstruction, a situation that could open the door for him to gain prominence.

Baba Miller, the new unicorn of Spanish basketball

Baba Miller is considered by some as the unicorn of Spanish basketball due to his extraordinary agility, versatility, and physical stature. The Los Angeles Clippers selected him in the second round of the draft, with the 36th pick.

The Los Angeles franchise has made numerous headlines over the summer due to scandals related to the bonuses paid to Kawhi Leonard. In sports terms, Miller starts at a disadvantage in the rotation due to his status as a second-round pick, although the management fully trusts his long-term development.

His arrival marks a new step for one of the members of the La Familia group, joining the best league in the world. A new addition that strengthens the Spanish presence in the NBA and confirms the generational shift in national basketball.

This is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, La nueva "generación de oro" española, dispuesta a conquistar la NBA