Manu Ginóbili: 5 things you never knew about Spurs legend

After a successful career Mabu Ginobili has retired, here are important things to know about him.

Manu Ginobili officially retired from Basketball, here are five things you need to know about the San Antonio Spurs legend.

Here are 5 things to know about Manu Ginobili

1.    Ginóbili retired at 41-years-old

Ginóbili was is one of the oldest players to play in the NBA after leading the San Antonio Spurs to the playoff in the 2018 season.

2.    Ginóbili’s career

Ginóbili earned his reputation with San Antonio Spurs in the NBA but started his career in South America.

 

He began his career with Argentine basketball league side Andino Sports Club team in 1995 before he was traded to him hometown Estudiantes de Bahía Blanca in 1996.

After some time he decided to move to Europe with Basket Viola Reggio Calabria as they earned promotion from the lower division to the first team of Italian Basketball.

In 1999 he was selected as the 57th overall draft in 1999 but declined as Kinder Bologna won the Italian League Championship in 2001.

3.    Ginobili and the NBA

After his spells on Europe, Ginobili finally made the leap to the NBA when he signed for Spurs in the 2002/03 season.

He was recruited as a backup guard for Steve Smith and after a disappointing loss in the playoff, he was a key part of Gregg Popovich's side that won the NBA finals.

 

He went on to form a key component of the Spurs 2005, 2007 and 2014 NBA triumphs and which is his legacy.

4.    Ginobili and Argentina

Ginobili was also a great servant for his country Argentina as he participated in several international tournaments.

A very young Ginobili was part of the Argentine team that finished fourth at the 1997 FIBA Under-21 World Championship.

He went on to make his debut for the senior team at the 1998 FIBA World Championship but even though they did not make their make, he returns for the 2002 edition where the Argentine team finished as runners-up.

His best moment with the national team came hitting the winning shot as Argentina beat Serbia and Montenegro in the final of the 2004 Olympic Games basketball event.

 

He led the Argentine team to 2008 the bronze medal four years later in 2008.

He won two gold medals, one silver, and one bronze at the FIBA AmeriCup.

5.    Ginobili personal life and awards

Ginobili married a fellow Argentine Marianela Oroño in 2004, the pair have the children together,

A set of twins named Dante and Nicola in 2010 and their third child called Luca in 2014.

His successful career has produced several individual awards, asides being a four-time NBA Champions.

In his time in the NBA he has a total of 14,043 points, 4,001 assists and 1,392 steals.

Ginobili is a two time Italian League MVP, three-time Italian League All-Star, EuroLeague Finals Most Valuable Player, FIBA AmeriCup Most Valuable Player, two-time FIBA World Cup All-Tournament Team, NBA Sixth Man of the Year Award and two time NBA All-Star.