Los Suns to Play in Mexico against Spurs and Mavericks

By Francisco Romero

Mexico and its basketball fans hold a very special place in their hearts for the Phoenix Suns. In 1996 Los Suns became Mexico’s team when a 23 year-old Center from El Rosario, Sinaloa, Mexico named Horacio Llamas stepped into the court becoming the first Mexican born player to play in a regular NBA game.

Llamas not only made history, but placed the Phoenix Suns as the team that a country of 120 million people followed very close.

Llamas played two seasons for the Suns, but his accomplishments have not been forgotten.

Mexico will now have a chance to watch and experience an NBA game with the team that housed its first player.

The NBA announced Wednesday that the Phoenix Suns will take on the Dallas Mavericks and San Antonio Spurs in the first consecutive regular season games in Mexico.

The matchups will take place on Jan. 12 and 14, respectively, at the Mexico City Arena.

The games will mark the first time the league hosts two regular season contests in Mexico in the same season.

Picture courtesy of suns.com

“It’s an honor to make history alongside the NBA and call Mexico City a second home of the Suns this season,” Suns President Jason Rowley said. “We have an incredibly strong and supportive Hispanic fan base in Arizona, and these two games present a unique opportunity to strengthen our relationship with NBA fans in both Arizona and Mexico.

“We’re extremely proud to represent the NBA as it continues to grow the game internationally, and we are grateful for this opportunity to help further deepen the relationship between Mexico and Arizona.”

The Phoenix Suns head coach, Earl Watson is of Mexican descent, his grandfather was born in Guadalajara, Mexico and migrated to the United States.

Earlier this year Watson became the first Mexican to hold a head coach position in the NBA.

It is only fitting that the Phoenix Suns will be one of the teams representing the NBA in a country that has called them the home-team for almost two decades.

Los Suns en Mexico!