Manuel Raga becomes the first Mexican inducted into the FIBA Hall of Fame

Historic former national basketball player Manuel Raga has become the first Mexican to be inducted into the FIBA Hall of Fame. The announcement was made today during a ceremony in which Nigerian Olawuyon and Australian Michele Timms were also inducted.

Manuel Raga recalled his beginnings in basketball at the 1967 World Championship, when he led Mexico to victory over the Italian team. Later, the Mexican demonstrated his skills at the Mexico Olympics.

Although he did not have a place in the NBA, Raga was the first Mexican basketball player to be drafted into the top league. In 1970, he was selected by the Atlanta Hawks, but he chose to leave the American league to move to Italy, where he became a starter for Pallacanestro Vallase team.

The now first Mexican to enter the Hall of Fame has competed in three Olympic Games, reaching double-digit points in 17 of his 23 games played with the national team during the Olympics.