Manuel Raga

Manuel "Manolo" Raga Navarro (born March 14, 1944) is a Mexican former professional basketball player. During his playing career, he was nicknamed, "The Flying Mexican",[1] due to his nationality and his one of a kind 43 inch standing (no step) vertical leap.[2] In 2008, he was named one of the 50 Greatest EuroLeague Contributors. In 2016, he became a FIBA Hall of Fame player.

Manolo Raga
Manolo Raga in 1971.
Personal information
Born (1944-03-14) March 14, 1944
Aldama, Tamaulipas, Mexico
NationalityMexican
Listed height6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Listed weight170 lb (77 kg)
Career information
NBA draft1970: 10th round, 167th overall pick
Selected by the Atlanta Hawks
Playing career1963–1979
PositionShooting guard
Number15
Career history
1963–1968Villa Aldama
1968–1974Ignis Varese
1974–1979Federale Lugano
Career highlights and awards
Stats  at Basketball-Reference.com
FIBA Hall of Fame as player
Medals
Representing  Mexico
Pan American Games
Silver medal – second place1967 Winnipeg
CentroBasket
Gold medal – first place1965 Mexico
The national quintet of Mexico: Captain Carlos Quintanar (#12), Manuel Raga (#15), and Arturo Guerrero (#5) at the 1968 Summer Olympics.

Club career

Raga played professionally for Varese in the Italian League, from 1968 to 1974, and with them, he won three EuroLeague championships. In 1970, he became the first player from an international league to be selected in the NBA draft,[3] when Atlanta Hawks general manager, Marty Blake, took him with the 167th overall pick. However, Raga never played in the NBA.

National team career

Raga was a part of the senior national team of Mexico. He won a gold medal at the 1965 CentroBasket, and a silver medal at the 1967 Pan American Games.[4] He also played with Mexico in three different Summer Olympic Games, at the 1964 Summer Olympics, the 1968 Summer Olympics, and the 1976 Summer Olympics. He also played in 3 different FIBA World Cups, at Brazil 1963, at Uruguay 1967, and at Puerto Rico 1974.[5]

Awards and accomplishments

Club career

References
  1. Full name: Manuel "Manolo" Raga Navarro Nickname(s): The Flying Mexican.
  2. Manuel Raga: The Flying Mexican.
  3. The top 10 international players who never played in the NBA.
  4. Manuel Raga. sports-reference.com
  5. Manuel RAGA (MEX).
  6. Manuel Raga (Mexico) INDIVIDUAL HIGHLIGHTS.
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