FIBA AmeriCup 2025 – Team profile: Puerto Rico

MIAMI (United States) – Puerto Rico is one of the historic powerhouses of the Americas, and the team is in a great place right now. In 2023, they finished 12th at the FIBA Basketball World Cup. They made a long-awaited return to the Olympic Games, winning the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament by defeating Italy and Lithuania as the hosts in 2024.

In the AmeriCup qualifiers, Puerto Rico was not at its best despite bringing in several new players. Nonetheless, the team still managed to reach its goal. Puerto Rico currently ranks 15th in the FIBA World Ranking and fifth in the Americas.

Tournament history

This will be Puerto Rico’s 20th continental appearance, maintaining a perfect attendance streak. It hosted the first edition and was the inaugural champion. The Puerto Ricans have won three titles, tied with Argentina for the third-most in tournament history. They also have five silver medals and two bronze medals, for a total of 10 podium finishes.

Players to watch

New Orleans Pelicans guard José Alvarado has confirmed his participation and will be one of the tournament’s most high-profile players. He was pivotal in the Olympic qualifiers, leading the team with 16.0 points per game and 2.3 steals. In the most recent NBA season, he posted career highs with 10.3 points and 4.6 assists in 56 games despite dealing with injuries.

Veterans Isaiah Piñeiro, Gian Clavell, Gary Browne, George Conditt IV, and Ismael Romero have been key contributors on the national team for years and provide depth and experience.

Head coach: Carlos Gonzalez

Gonzalez took over in October 2024 after the resignation of Nelson Colón, following the Olympic Games. He had served as an assistant coach during the previous cycle and knows the roster well. After securing qualification to the continental tournament, this will be his first major test as head coach. He aims to improve on Puerto Rico’s fifth-place finishes in each of the last three AmeriCups.

Outlook

The Puerto Rican team has the tools to compete for a spot on the podium after combining veteran experience with talent from its strong domestic league. Alvarado’s presence elevates the team on both ends of the court, and he will be one of the stars of the competition. They will compete in Group B alongside Canada, Panama, and Venezuela. On paper, they are expected to battle the Canadians for the top spot in the group.

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