Fran Vázquez
 Vázquez catching a rebound with Baloncesto Málaga. | |
| No. 17 – Unicaja | |
|---|---|
| Position | Center |
| League |
Liga ACB Euroleague |
| Personal information | |
| Born |
May 1, 1983 Chantada, Galicia |
| Nationality | Spanish |
| Listed height | 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) |
| Listed weight | 240 lb (109 kg) |
| Career information | |
| NBA draft | 2005 / Round: 1 / Pick: 11th overall |
| Selected by the Orlando Magic | |
| Playing career | 2001–present |
| Career history | |
| 2001–2005 | Unicaja |
| 2003 | →Bilbao Basket |
| 2003–2004 | →Gran Canaria |
| 2005–2006 | Girona |
| 2006–2012 | FC Barcelona |
| 2012–present | Unicaja |
| Career highlights and awards | |
| |
Francisco Vázquez González (Galician pronunciation: [fɾaŋˈθiskɔ ˈβaθkeθ]) (born May 1, 1983), more known as Fran Vázquez, is a Spanish professional basketball center for Unicaja of the Liga ACB. Originally drafted by the Orlando Magic in 2005, Vázquez decided to remain in the Spanish ACB League rather than enter the NBA.
Professional career
Vázquez was selected 11th overall in the 2005 NBA draft by the Orlando Magic. He made headlines when he announced that he would remain playing in the Spanish ACB League for at least the following season, after signing for Akasvayu Girona.[1] This came as a surprise to the Magic, who expected him to join Dwight Howard in the front court for the 2005–06 season, and it enraged many Magic fans.[2]
Vázquez originally gave no indication that he would be returning to Europe after he was drafted and had indicated that he would like to join the Magic. The Magic retain his NBA rights while he plays in a non-NBA League. In 2010, he signed a one-year contract extension with the Euroleague club Barcelona.[3]
In July 2012, Barcelona decided to trade his rights to Unicaja for the rights of Álex Abrines who moved to FC Barcelona.
On 17 April 2016, in a game against MoraBanc Andorra, Vázquez became the top blocker in Liga ACB history after surpassing the record of 671 blocks made by Fernando Romay.[4]
Spanish national team
Vázquez played with the senior men's Spanish national basketball team at the EuroBasket 2005 and the 2010 FIBA World Championship.[5]
Awards and accomplishments
Club honors
- Euroleague (1):
- ACB League (3)
- Spanish King's Cups (4):
- Spanish Super Cups (3):
Spanish national team
Individual awards
- Spanish King's Cup MVP (1):
- All-time Euroleague leader in blocks (counting only Euroleague Basketball (company) era games)
- ACB League player of the week (5):
- ACB League player of the month (1):
- March (2009)
- All-ACB Team (1):
References
- ↑ Bombazo: Fran Vázquez, cuatro años al Akasvayu; AS.com, 31 July 2005 (Spanish)
- ↑ http://hoopshype.com/interviews/vazquez_barrigon.htm
- ↑ Euroleague.net - BARCELONA, Vazquez renew deal.
- ↑ "Fran Vázquez ya es el máximo taponador histórico de la Liga Endesa". ACB.com. 17 April 2016. Retrieved 23 April 2016.
- ↑ FIBA.com Profile.
External links
 |
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Fran Vázquez. |
- Fran Vázquez at acb.com (Spanish)
- Fran Vázquez at draftexpress.com
- Fran Vázquez at euroleague.net
- Fran Vázquez at fiba.com
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