Mexico men's national basketball team

This article is about the men's team. For the women's team, see Mexico women's national basketball team.

The Mexico national basketball team (Spanish: selección de baloncesto de México / selección Mexicana de básquetbol) represents Mexico in men's international basketball competitions, The team has made 6 appearances in FIBA World Cup and 5 appearances in the Summer Olympics. The governing body of the team is the Asociación Deportiva Mexicana de Básquetbol (ADEMEBA).

Mexico

FIBA ranking	26 (26 November 2024)[1]
Joined FIBA	1933
FIBA zone	FIBA Americas
National federation	Asociación Deportiva Mexicana de Básquetbol (ADEMEBA)
Coach	Omar Quintero
Nickname(s)	12 Guerreros
Olympic Games
Appearances	5
Medals	Bronze: (1936)
FIBA World Cup
Appearances	6
FIBA AmeriCup
Appearances	15
Medals	Gold: (2013) Bronze: (2017)
First Second

In 2013, Mexico won the FIBA AmeriCup.

History

Fans of Team Mexico at the 2014 Basketball World Cup

Team Mexico celebrating a victory.

Until the late 1960s, team Mexico was a major force at the world stage. The team won the bronze medal at the 1936 Summer Olympics, finished 4th at the 1948 event and 5th in 1968. Mexico won the Pan American Games silver medal in Winnipeg 1967 led by Captain Carlos Quintanar with players like Arturo Guerrero and Manuel Raga.

At the FIBA Americas Championship 2009 in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Mexico finished 7th, ahead of Panama, Venezuela and the United States Virgin Islands.^[2]

On individual performances, Gustavo Ayon finished among the tournament's top performers in steals (3rd), blocks (3rd) and minutes per game (9th).^[3]

Both Eduardo Nájera and Earl Watson expressed their interest in representing Mexico internationally.^[4][5] However, neither received permission by their NBA teams to participate at the FIBA Americas Championship 2009 in San Juan, Puerto Rico.^[6]

Mexico Beats Team USA

On 29 October 2011, Mexico defeated Team USA 71–55. This 16 point victory took place during the 2011 Pan Am Games.^[7]

"La Edad de Oro" (since 2013)

Mexico took part in the FIBA Americas Championship 2013 to replace Panama, who were disqualified. To the surprise of many they beat hosts Venezuela in their opening game, and advanced to the second round with wins over Paraguay and the Dominican Republic. They later finished top of the eight-team second round group and a semi-final win over heavy favourites Argentina saw them through to the final.

On 11 September 2013, they beat Puerto Rico 91–83 in the gold medal game to win the FIBA Americas Championship.^[8] Inside player Gustavo Ayón was voted as the tournament's Most Valuable Player.

2014 Basketball World Cup

The surprising gold medal at the 2013 FIBA Americas Championship secured Mexico a spot at the 2014 FIBA World Cup in Spain. This marked the first qualification to the Basketball World Cup in 40 years.^[9]

At the 2014 FIBA World Cup, the Mexicans won two of their five preliminary round games against Korea and Angola which earned them a playoff spot for the first time in their history. They would, however, come unstuck against eventual champions USA.

Especially noteworthy was Mexico’s 3 point field goal percentage, which was one of the highest among all the teams at the event.^[10]

2015 FIBA Americas Championship

Due to Mexico's strong performances of late, the country gained the right to host the 2015 FIBA Americas Championship.

Mexico Defeats Team USA Again

On 28 June 2018, Mexico defeated Team USA 78–70 during the 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup Qualifiers. Mexico was led by Gustavo Ayon and Juan Toscano-Anderson. Team USA was led by Alex Caruso, David Stockton, and coached by Jeff Van Gundy.^[11]

On 19 November 2021, Mexico defeated Team USA 97–88 during the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup Qualifiers. Mexico was led by Orlando Méndez-Valdez (who was also part of Mexico's victory over Team USA in 2018) and Team USA was led by Isaiah Thomas and Luke Kornet.^[12]

On 2 September 2022, Mexico defeated Team USA 73–67 during the 2022 FIBA AmeriCup in Recife, Brazil. Mexico was led by Paul Stoll and Fabian Jaimes. Team USA was led by Jodie Meeks, Patrick McCaw, Frank Mason III, and Norris Cole.^[13]

On 16 August 2023, Team Mexico defeated the Kansas State University Wildcats 83–81 in an exhibition game in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.^[14] Kansas State made it to the Elite Eight in the NCAA Tournament in the 2022–23 season.^[15]

Honours

Worldwide

• FIBA World Cup
  • 8th place: 1967

• Olympic Games
  • Third place: 1936

Continental

• FIBA AmeriCup
  • Champions (1): 2013
  • Third place: 2017

• Pan American Games
  • Runners-up (3): 1967, 1991, 2011
  • Third place: 1983

Regional

• FIBA Centrobasket
  • Champions (3): 1965, 1975, 2014
  • Runners-up (4): 1973, 1991, 2001, 2016
  • Third place: 1987, 2003

• FIBA COCABA Championship
  • Champions (4): 2006, 2007, 2009, 2013

• Central American and Caribbean Games
  • Champions (8): 1926, 1930, 1935, 1938, 1946, 1950, 1954, 1990
  • Runners-up (3): 1966, 2010, 2023
  • Third place: 1962, 1974, 1978, 1982, 2002

FIBA honours summary

Competition				Total
FIBA World Cup	0	0	0	0
Olympic Games	0	0	1	1
FIBA AmeriCup	1	0	1	2
FIBA Centrobasket	3	4	2	9
FIBA COCABA Championship	4	0	0	4
Total	8	4	4	16

Competitive record

Olympic Games

Year	Position	Tournament	Host
1936	3	Basketball at the 1936 Summer Olympics	Berlin, Germany
1948	4	Basketball at the 1948 Summer Olympics	London, United Kingdom
1952	9	Basketball at the 1952 Summer Olympics	Helsinki, Finland
1960	12	Basketball at the 1960 Summer Olympics	Rome, Italy
1964	12	Basketball at the 1964 Summer Olympics	Tokyo, Japan
1968	5	Basketball at the 1968 Summer Olympics	Mexico City, Mexico
1976	10	Basketball at the 1976 Summer Olympics	Montreal, Canada

FIBA World Olympic Qualifying

Year	Position	Pld	W	L
1964	1st place	9	8	1
1972	4th place	No data
1976	3rd place	No data
2016	4th place	3	1	2
2020	3rd place	3	1	2
2024	4th place	3	1	2

FIBA World Cup

Members of the 2014 Team Mexico, which reached the World Cup's playoffs for the first time.

Year	Position	Tournament	Host
1959	13	1959 FIBA World Championship	Chile
1963	9	1963 FIBA World Championship	Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
1967	8	1967 FIBA World Championship	Uruguay
1974	9	1974 FIBA World Championship	Puerto Rico
2014	14	2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup	Spain
2023	25	2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup	Philippines, Japan and Indonesia

NOTE: In June 2018, Mexico beat Team USA 78–70 in the 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup qualification (Americas).^[16]

FIBA AmeriCup

Year	Position	Tournament	Host
1980	5	1980 Tournament of the Americas	San Juan, Puerto Rico
1984	5	1984 Tournament of the Americas	São Paulo, Brazil
1988	6	1988 Tournament of the Americas	Montevideo, Uruguay
1989	9	1989 Tournament of the Americas	Mexico City, Mexico
1992	7	1992 Tournament of the Americas	Portland, United States
1993	–	1993 Tournament of the Americas	San Juan, Puerto Rico
1995	–	1995 Tournament of the Americas	Tucumán, Argentina
1997	10	1997 FIBA Americas Championship	Montevideo, Uruguay
1999	–	1999 FIBA Americas Championship	San Juan, Puerto Rico
2001	9	2001 FIBA Americas Championship	Neuquén, Argentina
2003	6	2003 FIBA Americas Championship	San Juan, Puerto Rico
2005	10	2005 FIBA Americas Championship	Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
2007	7	2007 FIBA Americas Championship	Las Vegas, United States
2009	7	2009 FIBA Americas Championship	San Juan, Puerto Rico
2011	–	2011 FIBA Americas Championship	Mar del Plata, Argentina
2013	1	2013 FIBA Americas Championship	Caracas, Venezuela
2015	4	2015 FIBA Americas Championship	Mexico City, Mexico
2017	3	2017 FIBA Americas Championship	Argentina, Colombia, Uruguay
2022	5	2022 FIBA AmeriCup	Recife, Brazil
2025	TBD	2025 FIBA AmeriCup	Managua, Nicaragua

Pan American Games

See also: Basketball at the Pan American Games

• 1951 – 8th place
• 1955 – 4th place
• 1959 – 4th place
• 1963 – 7th place
• 1967 – Silver (Mexico finished second only to Team USA. Team Mexico featured one of the 50 Greatest EuroLeague Contributors: Manuel Raga)^[17]
• 1971 – 4th place
• 1975 – 4th place
• 1979 – 8th place
• 1983 – Bronze (This competition was memorable for Mexico taking a 20–4 lead against a Team USA squadron that featured Michael Jordan, Chris Mullin, Sam Perkins, Michael Cage, Ed Pinckney, Mark Price, and Wayman Tisdale. Team USA later came back for an 11-point win: 74–63. Team USA won the gold, Brazil won the silver, and Mexico beat Canada for the bronze medal.)^[18]
• 1987 – 4th place
• 1991 – Silver (Mexico finished ahead of a Team USA squadron that featured Grant Hill, Christian Laettner, Thomas Hill, Walt Williams, Clarence Weatherspoon, Tracey Murray, Jimmy Jackson, Terry Dehere, Adam Keefe, Eric Montross, and Tony Bennett. Puerto Rico won the gold, Mexico won the silver, and Team USA won the bronze medal.)^[19]
• 1995 – 5th place
• 2003 – 5th place
• 2011 – Silver (Mexico beat Team USA 71–55 in their semifinal game.)^[20]
• 2015 – 8th place
• 2019 – 7th place
• 2023 – 4th place^[21]

FIBA Centrobasket

See also: Centrobasket

Román Martínez and Marco Ramos helped Mexico secure the gold medal at the 2014 Centrobasket

• 1965 – Champions (Team Mexico featured one of the 50 Greatest EuroLeague Contributors: Manuel Raga)
• 1967 – 4th place
• 1973 - Silver
• 1975 – Champions
• 1987 – Bronze
• 1989 – 4th place
• 1991 – Silver
• 1997 – 4th place
• 2001 – Silver
• 2003 – Bronze ^[22]
• 2004 – 4th place
• 2006 – 4th place
• 2008 – 5th place
• 2010 – 6th place
• 2014 – Champions
• 2016 – Silver

FIBA COCABA Championship

See also: FIBA COCABA Championship

• 2006 – Champions ^[23]
• 2007 – Champions ^[24]
• 2009 – Champions ^[25]
• 2013 – Champions ^[25]
• 2015 – 4th place

Central American and Caribbean Games

• 1926 – Champions
• 1930 – Champions
• 1935 – Champions
• 1938 – Champions
• 1946 – Champions
• 1950 – Champions
• 1954 – Champions
• 1962 – Bronze
• 1966 – Silver
• 1970 – 4th place
• 1974 – Bronze
• 1978 – Bronze
• 1982 – Bronze
• 1986 – 5th place
• 1990 – Champions
• 1998 – 10th place
• 2002 – Bronze
• 2006 – 5th place
• 2010 – Silver
• 2014 – 5th place
• 2018 – 5th place
• 2023 – Silver

Team

Current roster

The roster for the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup.^[26][27]

Mexico men's national basketball team – 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup roster
Players	Coaches
Pos. No. Name Age – Date of birth Height Club Ctr. SG 0 Karim Rodriguez 37 – (1988-01-17)17 January 1988 1.96 m (6 ft 5 in) Apaches de Chihuahua F 2 Gael Bonilla 21 – (2003-02-26)26 February 2003 2.02 m (6 ft 8 in) Ángeles de la Ciudad de México PF 3 Fabián Jaimes 32 – (1992-09-22)22 September 1992 1.98 m (6 ft 6 in) Dorados de Chihuahua PG 4 Paul Stoll 39 – (1985-12-14)14 December 1985 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in) Halcones de Xalapa SG 8 Moisés Andriassi 24 – (2000-03-01)1 March 2000 1.87 m (6 ft 2 in) Astros de Jalisco G 9 Francisco Cruz 35 – (1989-10-03)3 October 1989 1.91 m (6 ft 3 in) Manisa PG 10 Gabriel Girón (C) 36 – (1988-02-27)27 February 1988 1.92 m (6 ft 4 in) Real Estelí Baloncesto PG 13 Orlando Méndez-Valdez 38 – (1986-04-29)29 April 1986 1.83 m (6 ft 0 in) Capitanes PF 15 Jorge Camacho 35 – (1989-04-16)16 April 1989 2.01 m (6 ft 7 in) Halcones de Xalapa G 21 Karim López 17 – (2007-04-12)12 April 2007 2.02 m (6 ft 8 in) New Zealand Breakers C 25 Israel Gutiérrez 32 – (1993-01-15)15 January 1993 2.08 m (6 ft 10 in) Dorados de Chihuahua PF 31 J. J. Avila 33 – (1991-10-11)11 October 1991 2.03 m (6 ft 8 in) Toros Laguna	Head coach Omar Quintero Assistant coach(es) Kaleb Canales Legend (C) Team captain Club – describes last club before the tournament Age – describes age on 25 August 2023

Previous squads

Olympics 1936 Olympics squad 1948 Olympics squad 1952 Olympics squad 1960 Olympics squad 1964 Olympics squad 1968 Olympics squad 1976 Olympics squad

FIBA AmeriCup 1980 Tournament of the Americas squad 1984 Tournament of the Americas squad 1988 Tournament of the Americas squad 1989 Tournament of the Americas squad 1992 Tournament of the Americas squad 1993 Tournament of the Americas squad 1997 Tournament of the Americas squad 2001 Tournament of the Americas squad 2003 Tournament of the Americas squad 2005 FIBA Americas Championship squad 2007 FIBA Americas Championship squad 2009 FIBA Americas Championship squad 2013 FIBA Americas Championship squad 2015 FIBA Americas Championship squad 2017 FIBA AmeriCup squad 2022 FIBA AmeriCup squad

FIBA World Cup 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup squad

Head coach position

• Augustin Garcia (1959)
• Enrique "Kiki" Romero (1960)
• Pedro Barba Ramos (1963)
• Agustin Garcia Arreola (1964)
• Lester Lane (1967–1968)
• Pedro Barba Ramos (1974)
• Carlos Jose Bru (1976)
• Guillermo Vecchio (2003)
• Nolan Richardson (2007)
• Silvio Jose Santander (2008)
• Nolan Richardson (2009)
• Arturo Guerrero (2009)
• Josep Claros (2010–2011)
• Sergio Valdeolmillos (2011)
• Josep Claros (2012)
• Arturo Guerrero (2013)
• Sergio Valdeolmillos (2013–2014)^[28]
• Bill Cartwright (2014–2015)^[29]
• Eddie Casiano (2015)^[30]
• Sergio Valdeolmillos (2015–2017)^[28]
• Ramón Díaz Sánchez (2018)
• Iván Déniz (2018–2019)
• Sergio Valdeolmillos (2020–2021)
• Omar Quintero (2021–present)

Kit

Manufacturer

2015–2021: Under Armour

2022–present: Titan Sports

See also

• Mexico women's national basketball team
• Mexico national under-19 basketball team
• Mexico national under-17 basketball team
• Mexico national 3x3 team

References

1. "FIBA Ranking Presented by Nike". FIBA. 26 November 2024. Retrieved 26 November 2024.
2. "FIBA.com: 2009 FIBA Americas Championship for Men". Puertorico2009.fiba.com. 6 September 2009. Archived from the original on 27 August 2009. Retrieved 26 July 2010.
3. "FIBA.com: 2009 FIBA Americas Championship for Men Top players". Puertorico2009.fiba.com. Archived from the original on 30 January 2013. Retrieved 26 July 2010.
4. "MEX – Najera reports to Mexican national team". Fiba.com. 13 June 2014. Archived from the original on 9 October 2012.
5. "HoopsHype – Earl Watson: "I signed with the Pacers because they want to win now"". Blogs.hoopshype.com. 3 August 2009. Archived from the original on 3 October 2011. Retrieved 22 July 2010.
6. "FIBA.com: 2009 FIBA Americas Championship for Men Team profile". Puertorico2009.fiba.com. Archived from the original on 9 July 2017. Retrieved 22 July 2010.
7. "USA Basketball: Mexico Ends USA's Pan American Games Gold Medal Quest 71–55". usabasketball.com. Archived from the original on 31 October 2011. Retrieved 11 January 2022.
8. "Spain 2014-bound Mexico are 2013 Americas champions!". FIBA. 12 September 2013. Retrieved 19 September 2013.
9. "FIBA Archive; Mexico". FIBA. Retrieved 1 October 2014.
10. "TEAM STATISTICS; TEAM LEADERS". FIBA. Archived from the original on 25 August 2017. Retrieved 2 October 2014.
11. "Mexico shocks USA Basketball in World Cup qualifying round". National Basketball Association.
12. "USA Basketball Falls in World Cup Qualifier to Mexico, 97–88". US News & World Report. 29 November 2021. Retrieved 26 July 2023.
13. "Mexico v USA boxscore – FIBA AmeriCup 2022 – 2 September".
14. "Kansas State basketball stumbles down the stretch in 83-81 exhibition loss to Mexico".
15. "Kansas State Wildcats 2022-23 Postseason NCAAM Schedule".
16. "Mexico shocks USA Basketball in World Cup qualifying round". National Basketball Association.
17. "USA Basketball". USA Basketball. 6 August 1967. Archived from the original on 20 August 2009.
18. "USA Basketball". USA Basketball. Archived from the original on 6 September 2009.
19. "USA Basketball". USA Basketball. Archived from the original on 20 August 2009.
20. "Mexico Ends USA's Pan American Games Gold Medal Quest 71–55". USA Basketball. 29 October 2011. Archived from the original on 31 October 2011.
21. Correa, Bastián; Velásquez, Sergio (4 November 2023). "Second Consecutive Gold for Argentina in Basketball at the Pan American Games". Panam Sports. Retrieved 18 June 2024.
22. "Latinbasket – Central American Championships '01". Latinbasket.com.
23. "LATINBASKET – 5th Tournament of the Americas (Copa America) 2005 Basketball, Teams, Scores, Stats, News, Standings, Pro Basketball". Latinbasket.com.
24. "LATINBASKET – COCABA – Centro America Championships Basketball, Teams, Scores, Stats, News, Standings, Pro Basketball". Latinbasket.com.
25. "COCABA-Championships Basketball, Teams, Scores, Stats, News, Standings". Latinbasket.
26. "La Selección Mexicana de baloncesto define la lista para la Copa del Mundo FIBA 2023". telediario.mx. 22 August 2023. Retrieved 22 August 2023.
27. "Team roster: Mexico" (PDF). FIBA. 25 August 2023.
28. "Mexico Gone Rogue-er?". FIBA. 15 May 2015. Retrieved 5 January 2025.
29. "Former three-time NBA champion Bill Cartwright appointed Mexico coach". FIBA. 25 September 2014. Retrieved 5 January 2025.
30. "Halcones Rojos boss Casiano takes helm of Mexico". FIBA. 13 March 2015. Retrieved 5 January 2025.

External links

• Official website
• FIBA Profile
• Latinbasket – Mexico Men National Team

Videos

• Iran v Mexico – Highlights – 2016 FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament – Italy Youtube.com video