For 90 days, get to know more about the international faces of the NBA. Day 22 brings…
Carlos Delfino (G/F, Milwaukee Bucks), Argentina
Height: 1.98 m, 6-foot-6 | Weight: 104.3 kg, 230 pounds | Born: 29 August, 1982
Becoming the first Argentine selected in the first round of the NBA Draft and an Olympic gold medalist takes dedication. And that's something Carlos Delfino has had plenty of since he was a kid.
At age 4, Delfino spent his days practicing shots in the backyard on a basket his grandfather built for him. At night, he'd wait until his family fell asleep to practice even more on a small hoop hanging from his bedroom wall.
Delfino's skills developed quickly, and he went on to play for several Argentine and Italian clubs. Then came his breakout year: in 2003, the Detroit Pistons chose him as the 25th overall pick, and in 2004, he won an Olympic gold medal with Argentina's national team.
Since being drafted, Delfino has played for the Pistons, Raptors, Bucks and Rockets. The sharpshooting swingman's career started off slow due to injuries, but since then he's found his rhythm, and he's been a consistent producer.
He spent three seasons with the Bucks, 2009-2012, and averaged 10.6 points and shot 36.6 percent from beyond the arc in 178 games. He also places eighth in franchise history for all-time 3-pointers made. During 2012-13 season, he played for the Rockets, where he averaged 10.6 points and shot 37.5 percent from the three-point line in 67 games. After a season, Houston waived the Argentine star, but Milwaukee happily welcomed him back.
He missed the entire 2013-14 season due to another injury – a fracture in his right foot. But he had surgery and has been recuperating in Argentina. Now he's ready to come back. And
the Bucks – who acquired a head coach and the number two overall draft pick – believe he's dedicated to rebooting the franchise.
Key Stats:
Last Season Played, 2012-13: PTS: 10.6 | REB: 3.3 | AST: 2.0
2012-13 Season Highlight: He had 23 points, 8 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 steals against the Phoenix Suns on 15 April 2013.
Achievements/Awards:
*2004 Olympic gold medal
*2004 South American Championship
*2007 FIBA Americas Championship and Marchand Cup
*2008 FIBA Diamond Ball
*2011 FIBA Americas Championship
5 Things To Know (per CarlosDelfino.com)
1. His favorite videogame is Tetris.
2. His motto is "Prepare for the worst but expect the best."
3. His favorite movies are "Face Off," "Scarface," and "The Usual Suspects," and his favorite actor is Al Pacino.
4. He's afraid of scary movies and needles.
5. If he could be an animal, he would be a small insect, so he could wander around without being seen.
Check out Delfino's photos and video in the LEAGUE section of NBA Game Time.
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