Fran Vázquez

Francisco Vázquez González (Galician pronunciation: [fɾanˈθiskʊ ˈβaθkɪθ]; born 1 May 1983), more commonly known as Fran Vázquez, is a retired Spanish professional basketball player. Originally drafted by the Orlando Magic in 2005, Vázquez decided to remain in the Spanish ACB League rather than enter the National Basketball Association (NBA). He is the Spanish League's all-time leader in blocked shots.[1]

In this Spanish name, the first or paternal surname is Vázquez and the second or maternal family name is González.
Fran Vázquez
Vázquez catching a rebound with Baloncesto Málaga
Personal information
Born (1983-05-01) 1 May 1983
Chantada, Galicia
NationalitySpanish
Listed height6 ft 10.25 in (2.09 m)
Listed weight232 lb (105 kg)
Career information
NBA draft2005: 1st round, 11th overall pick
Selected by the Orlando Magic
Playing career2001–2020
PositionCenter
Career history
2001–2005Unicaja
2003→Bilbao Basket
2003–2004→Gran Canaria
2005–2006Girona
2006–2012FC Barcelona
2012–2016Unicaja
2016–2018Canarias
2018–2020Zaragoza
Career highlights and awards

Spanish League career stats leaders

Stats  at Basketball-Reference.com
Medals
Representing  Spain
Men's Basketball
FIBA Europe Under-20 Championship
Silver medal – second place 2002 Lithuania

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.[2] 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.[3]

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 retained his NBA rights while he played in non-NBA leagues. In 2010, Vázquez signed a one-year contract extension with the EuroLeague club Barcelona.[4]

In July 2012, Barcelona decided to trade his rights to Unicaja for the rights of Álex Abrines, who moved to FC Barcelona.[5]

On 17 April 2016, in a game against MoraBanc Andorra, Vázquez became the top shot-blocker in Liga ACB history, after surpassing the record of 671 blocks made by Fernando Romay.[6]

On 29 July 2016 Vázquez signed a two-year deal with Iberostar Tenerife.[7]

On 18 July 2018 he signed a two-year deal with Tecnyconta Zaragoza of the Liga ACB.[8]

On 7 May 2020 Vázquez announced his retirement.[9]

International career

Vázquez played with the senior men's Spain national team at the EuroBasket 2005 and the 2010 FIBA World Championship.[10]

Awards and accomplishments

Club honors

Spanish junior national team

Individual awards

References
  1. "Liga ACB Career Leaders and Records for Blocks". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved April 20, 2022.
  2. Bombazo: Fran Vázquez, cuatro años al Akasvayu; AS.com, 31 July 2005 (in Spanish).
  3. "HoopsHype - Interviews - Fran Vazquez: "I will jump to the NBA only when I feel ready"". March 20, 2006. Archived from the original on 2006-03-20.
  4. "Latest News | EuroLeague". Euroleague Basketball. October 21, 2023.
  5. "Fran Vazquez to Malaga, Alex Abrines to Barcelona".
  6. "Fran Vázquez ya es el máximo taponador histórico de la Liga Endesa" (in Spanish). ACB.com. 17 April 2016. Retrieved 23 April 2016.
  7. "El Iberostar Tenerife ficha a Fran Vázquez". cbcanarias.net (in Spanish). 29 July 2016. Retrieved 29 July 2016.
  8. "ACB.COM - La leyenda de Fran Vázquez llega a Basket Zaragoza". www.acb.com (in European Spanish). 18 July 2018. Retrieved 18 July 2018.
  9. "Comunicado oficial – Retirada de Fran Vázquez". basketzaragoza.net (in Spanish). 7 May 2020. Retrieved 7 May 2020.
  10. "archive.fiba.com: Players".
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