Manuel Narvaez
Manuel Narváez | |
|---|---|
| Born | December 18, 1981 Puerto Rico |
| Occupation | Professional basketball player |
| Years active | 2000–2011 |
| Known for | Playing in the National Superior Basketball League (BSN), NBDL, and representing Puerto Rico national basketball team |
Manuel Antonio Narváez Rivera (born December 18, 1981) is a professional basketball athlete from Puerto Rico. Throughout his career, he has participated in the National Basketball Development League (NBDL), the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), and Puerto Rico’s premier basketball competition, the National Superior Basketball League (BSN). His tenure includes playing for teams such as the Santurce Crabbers, Coamo Marathon Runners, Ponce Lions, Bayamón Cowboys, Morovis Titans, and Isabela Gallitos. In the 2006 NBDL draft, Narváez was selected by the Albuquerque Thunderbirds as the top pick in the fourth round. Additionally, he represented Puerto Rico on the national basketball team during 2006 and 2007.
Biography
Narváez’s collegiate basketball career took place at Southern Nazarene University between 2000 and 2004. During his junior season (2002–03), he posted averages of 15.8 points alongside 11.6 rebounds per contest. In his final college year (2003–04), he improved to 18.6 points and 12.5 rebounds per game, achievements that earned him recognition as an NAIA Third Team All-American.
His professional journey started in Puerto Rico’s National Superior Basketball League in 2000. After being drafted by the Albuquerque Thunderbirds in 2006, Narváez was released in January of the following year. Shortly thereafter, he joined the Colorado 14ers but was waived again in February 2007.
While playing for Coamo Marathon Runners in 2007, Narváez averaged 14 points and an impressive 13.9 rebounds per game. He led his team in multiple categories including both defensive and offensive rebounds and received accolades such as All-Star selection, sportsmanship recognition, and a spot on the defensive team.
On the international stage, Narváez contributed to Puerto Rico’s gold medal victory at the 2006 Central American and Caribbean Games and competed in that same year’s Basketball World Championship. He also played a key role in securing a silver medal for Puerto Rico at the 2007 Pan-American Games.
During the BSN season of 2010 with the Ponce Lions, Narváez maintained a double-double average of 10 points and 10 rebounds per game. The following year with Coamo, he recorded averages of 11 points and 11 rebounds each game.
Beyond his athletic accomplishments, Narváez authored a motivational book titled El Sentido del Baloncesto en la Vida, which imparts leadership insights drawn from basketball for future generations.
Career stats
In his NBA Development League tenure spanning 16 games with seven starts, Narváez accumulated 61 points (3.9 points per game), eight assists (0.4 assists per game), and 72 rebounds (4.9 rebounds per game). He also contributed four steals (0.3 steals per game) and one block (0.1 blocks per game), shooting .500 from the field and .765 from the free-throw line.