Jump to content

Mets de Guaynabo (basketball)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Mets de Guaynabo
Mets de Guaynabo logo
LeagueBaloncesto Superior Nacional
Founded1935
HistoryCangrejeros de Santurce
(1935–1976)
Mets de Guaynabo
(1976–2015; 2019–present)
ArenaMario Morales Coliseum
LocationGuaynabo, Puerto Rico
Team colorsNavy, White, Cyan
     
Head coachJ. J. Barea
OwnershipMarc D. Grossman
Mark Linder
Championships3 (1980, 1982, 1989)
Websitehttps://metsbasketball.com/

The Guaynabo Mets are a Puerto Rican professional basketball team based in Guaynabo, Puerto Rico, competing in the Baloncesto Superior Nacional (BSN), the island's premier basketball league, as part of its East Division. Originally founded in 1935 as the Cangrejeros of Santurce, the franchise relocated to Guaynabo in 1976, adopting the Mets moniker due to the city's metropolitan location. The Mets play their home games at Mario Morales Coliseum, named after Mets legend Mario "Quijote" Morales a legendary player who guided the Mets to three BSN championships in the 1980s (1980, 1982, and 1989).

Early history

[edit]

The Mets were coached by legendary National Team and Olympic Coach Julio Toro and were a force in Puerto Rican basketball during the 1980s. With players such as Fico Lopez, Mario Morales, José Sosa, Earl Brown, Jose Santos, Gustavo Santos, Papiro Leon, Papote Agosto and many others, the Mets made it to the BSN Playoffs every season during the 1980s, reaching the Finals 6 times (1980-1985, 1989) and winning 3 championships (1980, 1982 and 1989).

The Mets were able to acquire José and Gustavo Santos from the Río Piedras Cardinals whom they had defeated the previous year in the league semifinals. 5 players for two, arguably the largest trade in Puerto Rico basketball history at the time. The Mets were reborn with the Santos trade and looked to their minor league for future stars Papiro Leon, Fico Lopez, Papote Agosto. A dominant and young was this team, that a dynasty was born, the Mets reached the finals in 4 consecutive years winning two championships. All of their players were below the age of 25, with teenagers shoring up the bench.

The Puerto Rican Basketball Federation had to break up this team by introducing a draft and new rule that a team can only protect "6" players thus breaking up the powerful Mets. Lopez and Morales, who were also brothers in law as Morales married Lopez's sister, famous volleyball player Eva Lopez, formed a formidable duo on the court, with Lopez playing point guard and Morales forward. They became Puerto Rican basketball legends.

Even though the team was not active in the league from 2015 to 2019, many other sports teams in Guaynabo assumed the Mets name.

Return as an expansion team

[edit]

On November 22, 2019, league officials announced the first expansion team since 1993 would be established in the San Juan area.[1][2] Owners Marc Grossman and Mark Linder initially eyed Roberto Clemente Coliseum as the home court for their new team, but San Juan's Mayor Carmen Yulin Cruz expressed concerns the team wouldn't be able to play a full season at the venue due to previously scheduled events.[3] Grossman and Linder then decided to revive the Mets de Guaynabo, five years after the original team left Guaynabo.[4][5]

The team reintroduced themselves on December 17, 2019, in a press conference with Grossman, former Puerto Rico national basketball team general manager Alfredo “Piraña” Morales, Guaynabo Mayor Angel Perez Otero, and BSN President Ricardo Dalmau.[4][6] During the press conference, team officials revealed the new team, the league's tenth, signed its first free agent, Angel Alamo.[6] Alamo was a 34-year-old forward who had played previously for the Mets in 2012 and 2013.[4][7] The team also selected four players in an expansion draft on November 22, 2019, and received the 11th pick in the January 15, 2020 draft.[6][3]

Grossman and Linder hired Puerto Rico national basketball team general manager Alfredo “Piraña” Morales to be the Mets' general manager.[4][8] Prior to the 2020 season, Grossman pursued former NBA All Star Metta World Peace to be the Mets' head coach.[9][5] The team was also considering former NBA All Star Charles Oakley, Paco Olmos, Allans Colón, and Carlos Calcaño.[10] In December 2019, World Peace held tryouts for the team in Los Angeles, but was not officially named coach.[11]

Isaiah Austin, a former Baylor University basketball star who played professionally for teams in China and Lebanon since 2017, signed with the Mets in December 2019 as one of their three import players allowed as an expansion team.[11][10]

Recent Performance (2021–2024)

[edit]

The Guaynabo Mets, competing in the Baloncesto Superior Nacional (BSN), have experienced a mix of resurgence and challenges over the past four seasons following their reinstatement in 2019. In the 2021 season, the Mets made a surprising run to the BSN finals, showcasing their potential as a revitalized franchise. They ultimately fell to the Capitanes de Arecibo, finishing as runners-up in a competitive series.

The 2022 season proved disappointing, as the Mets missed the playoffs entirely—the first such occurrence since their return to the league. This setback highlighted roster and strategic adjustments needed to maintain consistency. In 2023, the Mets rebounded, earning a playoff berth and establishing themselves among the league's stronger teams. They advanced to the semifinals but were eliminated by the Gigantes de Carolina in a closely contested 4-3 series, having led 3-2 before the comeback by their opponents.

In the 2024 season, the Mets continued to build on their competitive standing, though specific results remain incomplete as of early 2025. Their most recent documented game prior to the season’s conclusion was a loss to the Leones de Ponce (87-70), reflecting ongoing challenges against top-tier BSN teams. Over these four seasons, the Guaynabo Mets have solidified their return to prominence in Puerto Rican basketball, balancing playoff appearances with periods of adjustment under head coach José Juan Barea.

Team's Identity

[edit]

Branding

[edit]





Current roster

[edit]

Note: Flags indicate national team eligibility at FIBA-sanctioned events. Players may hold other non-FIBA nationalities not displayed.

Mets de Guaynabo roster
Players Coaches
Pos. No. Nat. Name Ht. Wt. Age
G 0 Puerto Rico Harris, Robert 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 34 – (1991-02-08)February 8, 1991
00 Puerto Rico Roman Angueira, Jose
G 1 Puerto Rico Mauras, Khary 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) 175 lb (79 kg) 27 – (1998-01-23)January 23, 1998
2 Puerto Rico Lee, Matthew
G 6 Puerto Rico Paige, Jaysean 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 200 lb (91 kg) 30 – (1994-07-30)July 30, 1994
8 Puerto Rico Lugo Sanchez, Carlos
F 10 United States Williams, Derrick 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 240 lb (110 kg) 33 – (1991-05-25)May 25, 1991
G 11 United States Cotton, Bryce 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) 168 lb (76 kg) 32 – (1992-08-11)August 11, 1992
G/F 12 United States Douglas, William 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 195 lb (88 kg) 26 – (1998-11-21)November 21, 1998
G/F 17 Puerto Rico Josiah, Jahvari 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 30 – (1994-07-30)July 30, 1994
21 Puerto Rico Colon Mojica, Benjamin
F 22 Puerto Rico Andújar, Emmanuel 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 205 lb (93 kg) 33 – (1992-01-27)January 27, 1992
F 24 United States Pearson, Ryan 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 220 lb (100 kg) 32 – (1993-02-20)February 20, 1993
PG 25 United States Boyd, Brandon 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) 170 lb (77 kg) 28 – (1997-01-03)January 3, 1997
F/C 28 Puerto Rico Romero, Ismael 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 220 lb (100 kg) 33 – (1991-06-23)June 23, 1991
F 45 Puerto Rico Clavell, Gilberto 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 220 lb (100 kg) 35 – (1989-08-10)August 10, 1989
Head coach
Assistant coach(es)
  • Puerto Rico Roy Casanova
  • Puerto Rico Alvin Cruz
  • Puerto Rico Alfredo Vélez
Legend
  • (C) Team captain
  • (DC) Dual citizenship
  • (I) Import player
  • Injured Injured
Updated: March 19, 2025

Notable players

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Alfredo Morales: "Garantizo que este equipo va a competir desde el día uno"". 18 December 2019. Retrieved 18 December 2019.
  2. ^ Rios, Antolin Malonado (22 November 2019). "Aprueban apoderados de una nueva franquicia de expansión en el BSN". El Nueva Dia. Retrieved 21 December 2019.
  3. ^ a b Torraca, Hiram Alberto (23 November 2019). "Carmen Yulín Cruz evaluará regreso del BSN a San Juan". Primera Hora. Retrieved 21 December 2019.
  4. ^ a b c d "Guaynabo Mets do not rule out signing American leader". Telemundo Puerto Rico. 5 December 2019. Retrieved 19 December 2019.
  5. ^ a b Torraca, Hiram Alberto (17 December 2019). "Los Mets de Guaynabo tienen cinco candidatos para la plaza de dirigente". Primera Hora. Retrieved 21 December 2019.
  6. ^ a b c "Guaynabo presenta el regreso de sus Mets". 17 December 2019. Retrieved 21 December 2019.
  7. ^ "Los nuevos Mets del BSN firman al delantero Ángel Álamo". 8 December 2019. Retrieved 21 December 2019.
  8. ^ Perez, Yamaira Muniz (17 December 2019). "Aires campeoniles en los nuevos Mets de Guaynabo". El Vocero. Retrieved 21 December 2019.
  9. ^ Loza, Jorge Figueroa (18 December 2019). "Former NBA player and coach Metta World Peace among candidates to lead Guaynabo Mets". Retrieved 21 December 2019.
  10. ^ a b Rivera, Joel Ortiz (30 December 2019). "Activos los Mets de Guaynabo". Primera Hora. Retrieved 9 January 2019.
  11. ^ a b Loza, Jorge Figueroa (29 December 2019). "Metta World Peace reveals link with the Guaynabo Mets". Retrieved 9 January 2020.
[edit]
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Mets_de_Guaynabo_(basketball)&oldid=1282825617"