MONTEVIDEO (Uruguay) - Only one player coming from Uruguay has managed to historically reach the NBA: Esteban Batista, who played for the Atlanta Hawks between 2005 and 2007. He was born in September 1983.
He wasn't even three years old when the FIBA Basketball World Cup 1986 took place in Spain. One South American team, Brazil, had an enthusiastic 4th-place finish, while Uruguay finished in 18th place.
From then on, a 40-year drought took place, as La Celeste never conquered a spot on the world stage again.
That's why the 5-1 record conquered by Montevideo's heroes heading into the Second Round of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 Americas Qualifiers was huge. It gave Uruguay a chance to dream.
It's a dream we all share. The dream of reaching the World Cup is so special because it takes so much effort.
"We know how difficult it is, and we know that we are still a long way away. Being able to put our country back on that stage is truly a dream for us," Uruguay's leader Joaquin Rodriguez told FIBA before Window 4.
"We are very happy with where we are right now, and with the first window we had, because I don't think we expected things to go this well. In the first phase, the best record Uruguay had ever had was 4–2, and we had never gone 5–1. We played a home game against Argentina, but we couldn't beat them to try to make it 6–0."
"Still, we are very satisfied with the first window, because I think we took a very big step toward qualifying for the World Cup again", he said on the eve of the tough matchup with the Bahamas, suffering a 103-94 defeat.
Despite the losing outcome, related to a combined 53-point show by Bahamian guards Domnick Bridgewater and Buddy Hield, Rodriguez had his best scoring performance repping the Uruguayan jersey at the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 Americas Qualifiers, finishing with 30 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists.
Prior to their second matchup of Window 4, going up against Jose Alvarado's Puerto Rico on September 1, there are very few players with such an impact on their national teams on the road to Qatar 2027.
What's curious about Joaquin Rodriguez's trajectory up until becoming Uruguay's main leader is that he didn't start with the brightest flashes, maybe in Montevideo. His career has always been about earning his spot.
"I started out in a very small city in Uruguay called Mercedes, where there aren't many inhabitants, fewer than 50,000. That's where I started playing basketball and began pursuing this dream. Then, I was given the opportunity to come and play professional basketball in the Uruguayan league," he recalled.
"The story of my career has been one of overcoming challenges at every step, always trying to take one more step forward. I moved to Montevideo and spent two years there, and then I went to play in Argentina. I had two very good years with Obras Sanitarias, and they helped me grow tremendously."
"I learned to play basketball better and grew a lot physically. From there, I moved to Spain," he said, underlining his path through Real Betis, Casademont Zaragoza in the FIBA Europe Cup, Estudiantes and now Gran Canaria.
"I think the player I've become is the result of all of that: hard work, sacrifice, and improvement, always looking to take one more step and continue growing. I feel that I'm constantly pushing myself a little further to see how far I can go," the MVP of the First Round in the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 Americas Qualifiers said.
After earning major responsibilities on the Uruguayan national team, Joaquin Rodriguez is now embracing the role of La Celeste's leader, propelling a team full of young and fearless talents.
"It is the dream that all of us players have. It's not only about how much time has passed since Uruguay last played in a World Cup, but also about the fact that this generation of players is very young. Many of them don't really know what it's like to play in a World Cup or what it's like to face players who compete at a World Cup."
"They are either playing in the domestic league or trying to make their mark abroad, like Joaquín Taboada. I don't think anyone expected a generation like this to be so close to playing in a World Cup again," he added.
"We have always had great players like Esteban Batista, Leandro Garcia Morales and Nicolas Mazzarino, and there have been periods when we had players with much bigger names than the ones we have now. But we are showing hunger, attitude and a huge commitment, which are qualities that the people of Uruguay identify with."
"Esteban Batista has been a point of reference in Uruguay. Then we have had Bruno Fitipaldo, who is having a wonderful career in the ACB, and a few others, such as Jayson Granger. I think we produce a lot of talent, but we aren't as well recognized, and we don't export as many players to those leagues," Rodriguez mentioned.
While La Celeste have been struggling to find their place among the main national teams worldwide, overall the basketball movement in South American countries has been experiencing a small drop recently.
Joaquin Rodriguez mentions one of his countrymen as one of the role models he has been inspired by, but he leaves space for an Argentinian legend who has lifted the Albiceleste all the way to Olympic gold in 2004.
"I've always admired Gustavo “Panchi” Barrera, a point guard who also played in Spain and who comes from the same city as me, Mercedes. He was my idol, the player you look at and say, “I want to be a little like him.” Later, I had the opportunity to share a team with him, and we played together for the national team," he said.
"Another player I really like is Manu Ginobili, who left an incredible legacy. I also watched him a lot because of everything he did for his national team and his country. His career has been amazing. Another player I really like is Facundo Campazzo: I love the way he plays," Rodriguez mentioned when asked about South American influences.
I think Argentina declined quite a bit after the Golden Generation, which was something truly wonderful and incredible that they had, because maintaining that level is not easy either. But there are still very talented players, such as Facundo Campazzo, Gabriel Deck, and Leandro Bolmaro.
"Brazil also continues to have incredible talent, and I think they are among the best teams in the Americas today."
"If I had to describe South American and American basketball in general, I would say that what stands out is the huge amount of talent," Uruguay's No. 14 followed.
The Second Round didn't open like Uruguay would have desired, but they can still count on a 5-2 record, which keeps the dream alive. In the First Round, they were able to limit Argentina to 44 points, and overall they have put up more than 84 points in five different games. They are versatile, complete, and hungry for more.
Led by Joaquin Rodriguez, who's averaging 17.9 points, 6.3 assists and 6.1 rebounds per game, La Celeste can continue to hope for this dream being fulfilled. They are tired of waiting after 40 years.
FIBA