The 2024 Men’s NCAA tournament bracket is nearly set, and soon, the top 64 teams in the nation will be competing for a national championship beginning Thursday, March 21.
After the first round, winning teams will advance to the second round on March 23. The Sweet 16 and Elite Eight rounds take place from March 28-31, followed by the Final Four on April 6 and the national championship game on April 8.
The intensity, drama, and unpredictability of March Madness are only a few reasons to watch the tournament each year. Whether you have a team you’re rooting for or not, another reason to tune in is to support the Latino talent taking the court.
Latino basketball players in the NCAA tournament are few and far between, but they are there. Here are five Latino players from a few of the top-seeded teams this year. Not all of them will become 2024 champions, but participating in such an iconic sporting event is something they can take pride in for the rest of their lives.
1
Santiago Vescovi
Santiago Vescovi, the fifth-year guard from Montevideo, Uruguay, has helped the Tennessee Volunteers land a No. 2 seed in this year’s bracket. Vescovi graduated from the University of Tennessee late last year with a Bachelor’s in Management. On the court this season, he became the 19th Tennessee player to reach 1,500 career points. His best game this season happened last November when he scored 21 points on 8 for 16 shooting against the Kansas Jayhawks, who are seeded No. 4 in the tournament this year.
2
Francisco Farabello
Francisco Farabello, the fifth-year guard from No. 3 seeded Creighton University, is originally from Cañada de Gómez, Argentina. This is his second season with the Bluejays. He spent his first three years with Texas Christian University before transferring. Farabello’s father is Argentine basketball player Daniel Farabello, who was named the FIBA South American League MVP in 2001, the year after his son was born. This season, Farabello’s best game came last November when he scored 14 points against Iowa. His favorite NBA player is Luka Dončić of the Dallas Mavericks.
3
Chad Baker-Mazara
Auburn University’s junior guard/forward Chad Baker-Mazara was born in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. Auburn is seeded No. 4 in the tournament. This season, Baker-Mazara is averaging 10.3 points, 3.8 rebounds and 2.2 assists per game. He’s played for three other colleges in his career, including San Diego State and Northwest Florida State. Baker-Mazara’s best game this season came earlier this year when he scored 25 points and served up four assists in a game against Georgia.
4
Aaron Estrada
No. 4 seeded Alabama University’s fifth-year senior guard Aaron Estrada is averaging 13.5 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 4.6 assists per game this season. This is his first year with the Crimson Tide. He’s played for St. Peter’s, Hofstra, and Oregon in the past. Estrada’s best game this season came last November when he scored 27 points, dished six assists, and pulled down five rebounds in a win against Indiana State. Last year, he was named the MVP of the Colonial Athletic Association.
5
Nate Santos
Nate Santos is a junior forward for No. 7 seeded Dayton University. This season, he’s averaging 12 points, 6.4 rebounds and 1.5 assists with the Flyers. Earlier this month, Santos scored 21 points and grabbed eight rebounds in an exciting overtime win against VCU. Before playing for Dayton, Santos was a member of the Pittsburgh Pirates for two seasons. His father, mother, sisters, and brother all played for the Puerto Rican national team, so basketball is definitely in his blood.