8 Latino Players to Keep on Your Radar This NBA Season
Credit: AP Photo/David Becker
The new NBA season is here. As Knicks fans celebrate their championship, other teams are looking to take the top spot. With a grueling season ahead, which teams can rise to the top—and which players can make the difference?
For our communities, the numbers are not on our side. Although recent figures are unavailable, the Institute for Diversity and Ethics in Sport (TIDES) estimates that Latinos make up around 2–3% of the league, even as the NBA boasts a record number of international players.
Established names like Karl-Anthony Towns Jr. are looking to return to the promised land, while others hope to break through for the first time. But which lesser-known players could make a difference this year? Here are the Latino players worth watching this season.
Yaxel Lendeborg, Golden State Warriors – Dominican and Puerto Rican Heritage
Selected 11th overall, Lendeborg has already won fans over with a solid first game—and by trash-talking none other than Luka Dončić, the reigning NBA scoring champ. He’ll have plenty of chances to keep talking and back it up on the court this season.
Julian Strawther, Denver Nuggets – Puerto Rican Heritage
Strawther is a name to watch. A solid three-point shooter, he has plenty of potential, especially if he improves defensively. The 2023 draft pick is still early in his career, but with a good team around him, he’s on the rise.
Lester Quiñones, Miami Heat – Dominican Heritage
Quiñones showed his promise with a 30-point performance in the NBA Summer League. He’s explosive enough to be a threat, and although he’s currently on the roster of the Heat’s minor-league affiliate, the Sioux Falls Skyforce, he could see time with Miami this year. Could he be one of the surprises of the 2026 NBA season?
Gui Santos, Golden State Warriors – Brazilian Heritage
Drafted near the end of the second round in 2022, Santos entered the league with modest expectations. He’s since far exceeded them, becoming a legitimate NBA rotation player. Can he take the next step this season?
Koby Brea, Phoenix Suns – Dominican Heritage
Brea is currently on a two-way contract with the Valley Suns of the NBA G League. His elite three-point shooting gives him a strong shot at NBA minutes. Can he improve his defense enough to become a threat in the league?
Karim López, Memphis Grizzlies – Mexican Heritage
López enters the NBA after becoming the first Mexican-born player selected in the first round of an NBA Draft. The 19-year-old, taken 21st overall, comes to Memphis after breaking single-season scoring records for draft-eligible prospects in Australia’s NBL Next Stars program. Could he be the league’s next big star?
Mikel Brown Jr., Brooklyn Nets – Puerto Rican Heritage
Selected sixth overall, Brown looks poised to become a mainstay in Brooklyn’s future. He’s a creative player with tremendous upside and a chance to make an immediate impact on a team that needs all the help it can get.
Kingston Flemings, Atlanta Hawks – Puerto Rican Heritage
The eighth overall pick, Flemings is an explosive playmaker the Hawks hope can help turn a solid team into a championship contender. His speed and high basketball IQ should make him a natural fit for a young team ready to level up.