Wayne Brabender

Wayne Donald Brabender Cole (born October 16, 1945) is an American-Spanish former basketball player and coach who acquired Spanish citizenship on May 22, 1968. At a height of 6'4" (1.93 m), he could play at either the shooting guard or small forward positions. He was named one of FIBA's 50 Greatest Players in 1991. On February 3, 2008, Brabender was chosen as one of the 50 most influential personalities to European professional club basketball, over the previous half-century, by the EuroLeague Basketball Experts Committee.[1]

Wayne Brabender
Brabender (#4 in white)
Personal information
Born (1945-10-16) October 16, 1945
Montevideo, Minnesota
NationalityAmerican / Spanish
Listed height6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
Listed weight225 lb (102 kg)
Career information
High schoolMilan (Milan, Minnesota)
College
NBA draft1967 / Round: 14 / Pick: 145th overall
Selected by the Philadelphia 76ers
Playing career1967–1985
PositionShooting guard / Small forward
Number4, 14
Coaching career1990–2004
Career history
As player:
1967–1983Real Madrid
1983–1985Caja Madrid
As coach:
1990–1991Real Madrid
1991–1992Gran Canaria
1994–1997Valladolid
2004CB Illescas
Career highlights and awards
As a player:
Medals
Representing  Spain
Men's Basketball
FIBA EuroBasket
1973 Spain

College career

Born in Montevideo, Minnesota, Brabender played college basketball at Willmar Junior College (now Ridgewater College) and the University of Minnesota Morris after a high school career at Milan High School.[2]

Club playing career

Brabender was drafted by the Philadelphia 76ers in the 14th round (145th overall) of the 1967 NBA Draft, though he never played in the NBA. Brabender came to Spain in order to gain experience, and he ended up contributing to four EuroLeague titles won by Real Madrid in 1968, 1974, 1978, and 1980. With Real Madrid, he also won 13 Spanish League championships, 7 Spanish Cups, and 4 Intercontinental Cups.

National team playing career

Brabender played for the senior men's Spain national basketball team, and he won the silver medal at the EuroBasket 1973, where he was also named the MVP of the tournament. He also played at the EuroBasket 1971, the 1972 Summer Olympic Games, the 1974 FIBA World Championship, EuroBasket 1975, the 1975 Mediterranean Games, EuroBasket 1977, EuroBasket 1979, the 1980 Summer Olympic Games (where Spain achieved 4th place), EuroBasket 1981, and the 1982 FIBA World Championship.

References
  1. "EuroLeague official website, Experts decide European Club Basketball's 50 greatest contributors".
  2. Brown, Curt (October 24, 2018). "A basketball star's journey, from Milan (Minn.) to Madrid". Star Tribune. Retrieved August 9, 2020.
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