A mural that captures Puerto Rican basketball history

SAN JUAN (FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 Americas Qualifiers) — Right at the entrance of the Roberto Clemente Coliseum in San Juan there is an impressive mural that captures a considerable part of basketball history in Puerto Rico.

It has been five years since this work of art embellishes a wall located in the legendary sports venue that has more than four decades of history. Costing $25,000, the painting was commissioned to six urban artists by the Municipality of San Juan, who requested a piece to be admired by all who attend an event in the Coliseum.

The profiles of important Puerto Rican basketball figures are immortalized there, accompanied —front and center— by former FIBA Americas Secretary General, Jenaro “Tuto” Marchand, one of the main champions of the sport in the island.

Alongside Marchand are the images of players that made their mark in the Puerto Rico National Team. From Raúl “Tinajón” Feliciano, the first pure scorer in Boricua basketball, to legendary Juan “Pachín” Vicéns, FIBA Hall of Famer Teo Cruz, José “Piculín” Ortiz and Raymond Dalmau. Also included are Mario “Quijote” Morales, Federico “Fico” López, Larry Ayuso, Carlos Arroyo and José Juan Barea.

Four of the players recently passed away (Feliciano, Vicéns, López and Cruz). As for the rest of them, only Barea is still active with the Puerto Rican squad and will be with them when they dispute two important matches in the fourth window of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 Americas Qualifers. One of the retired ballers described how he felt by being a part of this masterpiece.

“Proud. Those are the best players that Puerto Rico has had at an international level,” said Morales in a recent conversation with FIBA.basketball.

Morales was a constant figure in the Puerto Rican national team from 1978 until his retirement in 1995. The former forward pointed out the good company he is in with the other nine players.

“I know them all. I played with the majority. With Carlos Arroyo and José Juan Barea I didn't play, but they have to be there,” said Morales who, alongside López, formed one of the best pairs that Puerto Rican basketball has ever seen.

Regarding Marchand's image, Morales stressed the great contribution Tuto made for the discipline in the Puerto Rican archipelago. “Tuto was a person who drove basketball forward and he has to be there,” said Morales about Marchand who, among all his roles, was player, referee, manager, and president of the Puerto Rico Basketball Federation.

Of all the sports venues that exist in Puerto Rico, perhaps there is none other is best fit to be the home of the work of art that encompasses part of the history of basketball while also carrying the name of one of the most respected figures of sports in general: former baseball great Roberto Clemente.

“I love it. Clemente was my idol. [The Coliseum] is Puerto Rico’s sports epicenter. The most important sports events, particularly basketball, take place there. There I played All-Star Games, finals, Central Americans [and Caribbean Games], Pan Americans [Games]… Having it there is tremendous,” Morales ended.

FIBA