Eduardo Nájera facts for kids
Nájera in 2008
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| Dallas Mavericks | |
|---|---|
| Scout | |
| Personal information | |
| Born | July 11, 1976 Ciudad Meoqui, Chihuahua, Mexico |
| High school | Cornerstone Christian Academy (San Antonio, Texas) |
| Listed height | 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) |
| Listed weight | 235 lb (107 kg) |
| Career information | |
| College | Oklahoma (1996–2000) |
| NBA Draft | 2000 / Round: 2 / Pick: 38th overall |
| Selected by the Houston Rockets | |
| Pro career | 2000–2012 |
| Coaching career | 2012–2015 |
| League | NBA |
| Career history | |
| As player: | |
| 2000–2004 | Dallas Mavericks |
| 2004–2005 | Golden State Warriors |
| 2005–2008 | Denver Nuggets |
| 2008–2010 | New Jersey Nets |
| 2010 | Dallas Mavericks |
| 2010–2012 | Charlotte Bobcats |
| As coach: | |
| 2012–2015 | Texas Legends |
| Career highlights and awards | |
| Stats at NBA.com | |
Eduardo Alonso Nájera Pérez (born July 11, 1976) is a famous Mexican former professional basketball player. He is known for his time in the National Basketball Association (NBA). Today, he works as a scout for the Dallas Mavericks.
Eduardo is also a TV analyst for basketball games. Many people think he is the greatest Mexican basketball player ever. He was only the second Mexican-born player to join the NBA. He was also the first Mexican player to be chosen in the NBA draft. His parents are Servando Nájera and Rosa Irene Pérez.
Contents
Playing in College
Eduardo Nájera played college basketball at the University of Oklahoma. He played there from 1997 to 2000 and became a big star. He helped his team reach the NCAA tournament four times in a row.
He also finished in the top ten for many stats in his school's history. Before joining the NBA, scouts were very impressed with his quick moves. They also praised his amazing ability to get rebounds.
Eduardo also played for the Mexican team in the 1997 and 1999 World University Games. He helped them achieve a fourth-place finish in 1999.
Playing in the NBA
Dallas Mavericks (2000–2004)
Eduardo Nájera started his NBA career with the Dallas Mavericks. He played a lot in his first two seasons, from 2000 to 2002. However, knee injuries limited his playing time in his last two years with the team.
In 2004, he helped coach at the first-ever Basketball Without Borders event. This event teaches basketball to young players around the world.
Golden State Warriors (2004–2005)
In August 2004, Eduardo was traded to the Golden State Warriors. He was part of a big trade involving several players and draft picks. In Golden State, he continued to play well and contribute to the team.
Denver Nuggets (2005–2008)
In February 2005, Nájera was traded again, this time to the Denver Nuggets. He had some of his best seasons as an NBA player with the Nuggets.
In 2006, an exhibition game was played in Monterrey, Mexico. It was between the Golden State Warriors and the Denver Nuggets.
Eduardo started his first playoff game for the Nuggets in April 2006. This happened during a series against the Los Angeles Clippers. He tried to break up a fight during a game in December 2006. He was ejected from the game for leaving the bench.
New Jersey Nets (2008–2010)
On July 11, 2008, Nájera signed a four-year contract with the New Jersey Nets. He wanted to help the Nets' young players become stronger. He turned down offers from other teams to join the Nets.
Return to Dallas (2010–2011)
In January 2010, Nájera was traded back to the Dallas Mavericks. He played for them again for a short period.
Charlotte Bobcats (2010–2012)
In July 2010, Nájera was traded to the Charlotte Bobcats. His final NBA game was on April 6, 2012. He suffered a facial injury in that game, which ended his playing career.
Becoming a Coach
After retiring as a player in 2012, Eduardo Nájera became a head coach. He coached the Texas Legends, a team in the NBA D-League. He coached the team until the 2015–16 season.
Beyond Basketball
In 2000, Eduardo Nájera was named a Third Team All-American. This was a big honor given by the Associated Press and the National Association of Basketball Coaches. He was the first Mexican-born player to receive this award.
He also graduated from the University of Oklahoma in 2000 with a degree in sociology. In the same year, he received the Chip Hilton Player of the Year Award. This award is given to a player who shows great character on and off the court.
In 2001, Nájera became a Goodwill Ambassador for Sports Against Drugs for the United Nations Drug Control Programme. In 2004, he started the Eduardo Najera Foundation for Latino Achievement. This foundation gives college scholarships to Latino students who need help to go to school. In 2006, he received an award for his excellent charity work in the Denver community.
Images for kids
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Eduardo Nájera in the 2009–10 season
See also
In Spanish: Eduardo Nájera para niños
