Spanish Baseketball Team CONQUERORS

The all-time heroes of the Spanish history who demonstrated consistency and enthusiasm and helped their clubs to make it big include the names of Juan Antonio San Epifanio "EPI", Andres Jimenez, Fernando Martin, Juan Antonio Corbalan, Antonio Diaz Miguel and Pedro Ferrandiz.

Juan Antonio San Epifanio "EPI": Though his playing skills were not organized and his erratic moves looked awkward, but he was the true star of the legendary National Team that won the Silver Medal in Los Angeles . He was a very influential player who started his career in the year 1977 with F.C. Barcelona. He was the key player and head of the best Spanish Basketball generation. Some of his achievements are:

• Bronze medal with Spanish National Team at Santiago de Compostela-76 Europe Championship.

• Second at Europe Cup with F.C.Barcelona in 1983-84, 1989-90 and 1990-91 seasons.

• League champion with el F.C.Barcelona in 1980-81, 1982-83, 1986-87, 1987-88, 1988-89, 1989-90 and 1994-95 seasons.

Andres Jimenez: He played for Cotonificio Badalona from 1973 to 1983. In 1983, he joined Joventut Badalona. Eventually, he played for F.C. Barcelona from 1986-98. Jimenez started playing when he was merely 15. His most appreciative quality was his seriousness towards the sport and concentration. He only focused at the target. He was one of the best tall men in the league. Some of his achievements are:

• Spanish National Team (1982-1993).

Fernando Martin: Martin became the first Spanish athlete to make it to NBA. For one season, 1979-1980 he played with Estudiantes Mudespa. From 1981-1990, he played with Real Madrid except in 1985. He was drafted by New Jersey . He played at center and was very proficient in the position. His scoring and rebounding were outstanding. He played with all his heart and soul and won lots of titles for setting records in the club. He died in a car accident. Some of his achievements are:

• Champion with Real Madrid in 1981-82, 1983-84, 1984-85 and 1985-86 seasons.

Juan Antonio Corbalan: From 1971 to 1988 he played with the Real Madrid. For one year from 1988 to 1990, he remained dormant. From 1990 to 1991, he played with Forum Valladolid. He was perhaps the finest Spanish playmaker . His exceptionally good ball-handling skills made him eligible for a lot of Real Madrid titles. After his withdrawal, receding the 1988 season, his love for basketball forced him to come back on the courts in 1990. But this time with Forum Valladolid. Some of his achievements are:

• League champion with Real Madrid in 1971-72, 1972-73, 1973-74, 1974-75, 1975-76, 1976-77, 1978-79, 1979-80, 1981-82, 1983-84, 1984-85 and 1985-86 seasons.

Antonio Diaz Miguel : He played for Aguilas Bilbao, Spanish National Team, Clear Cantú and Pool Getafe from 1962-66, 1965-92, 1993-94 and 1996-97 respectively. He is considered to be the pioneer of the Spanish Basketball. Many times he went to USA in order to learn the contemporary strategies of the basketball. He applied those strategies to the Spanish basketball. He is a member of Springfield Hall of Fame. Some of his achievements are as follows:

• Silver medal with Spanish National Team at Barcelona-73 Europe Championship.

• Silver medal with Spanish National Team at Los Angeles-84 Olympics Games.

Pedro Ferrandiz: Ferrandiz served as a coach from 1957-59 with Hesperia, 1959-62 with Real Madrid, 1965 with Spanish National Team and from 1966-1975 with Real Madrid. He was a legendary coach. He also became a member of the board of directors of the Real Madrid club. Some of his achievements are:

Europe Cup Champion in 1965, 1967, 1968 and 1974.
Cup Champion in 1960, 1961, 1962, 1965, 1966, 1967, 1970, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1974 and 1975.
League champion in 1960, 1961, 1962, 1965, 1968, 1969, 1970, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1974 and 1975.