For 90 days get to know more about the international faces of the NBA. Day 34 brings...
Francisco Garcia (G/F, Houston Rockets) Dominican Republic
Height: 2.01m, 6-foot-7| Weight: 88.5kg, 195 pounds | Born: 31 December, 1981
This upcoming season will mark Francisco Garcia's 10th season in the NBA.
A player with this type of veteran status can be instrumental to a team not only on the court but also off the court. This is especially true for Garcia, who, as Rockets.com stated, "is beloved by his teammates…. a pro's pro, always ready to play when needed – the kind of characteristic that comes in handy when a game is crying out for an unsung, out-of-the-blue hero."
In the 2013-14 season, Garcia started out on fire. In his first game he busted onto the scene with a 19-point game and in his first four games alone he averaged 13.3 points. Things settled down after that, as the Dominican Republic native closed out the season with an average of 5.7 points per game.
A first round NBA Draft pick in 2005, Garcia entered the draft after his junior year at Louisville University, going a year early in order to take care of his mother. "She has spent her whole life taking care of me," he said to the New York Times. "It's my turn now."
The move proved to be a good one for Garcia, who has made a career as a rotation player in the NBA, spending seven seasons with the Sacramento Kings before joining the Houston Rockets in 2012.
Garcia had several shining moments throughout the season where his contributions were pivotal and his leadership role as a veteran off the court proved immeasurable for a Rockets team that made their way into the playoffs. Garcia will return for his third season with the Rockets this year with the hopes to help lead them to another playoff berth.
Key Stats:
2013-14 Season- GP: 55 | MPG: 19.7 | PTS: 5.7 | REB: 2.2 |FG%: 40.1%
Season Highlight: Scored a season high 21 points against Atlanta on 27 November 2013.
Five Things to Know:
1. He was awarded the Oscar Robertson Triple-Double Award by the Sacramento Kings in 2009. Per the Kings, "The triple signifies on-the-court influence: leadership, sportsmanship and outstanding all-around game. The double signifies off-the-court commitment to community service and family."
2. He and Al Horford of the Atlanta Hawks are the only NBA players from the Dominican Republic.
3. Per his NBA profile, he's "One of the most charitable players in Kings history, donating time, money and resources to those less fortunate."
4. His favorite foods are pasta and chicken. (Louisville Athletics)
5. His favorite comedian is Martin Lawrence. (Louisville Athletics)
Check out Garcia's photos and video in the LEAGUE section of NBA Game Time.
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