La Laguna (Tenerife), 17 (Europa Press)
The La Laguna City Council has decided to designate the basketball player Sergio Rodríguez, known as ‘El Chacho’, as a beloved son of the city.
The ceremony to present the honour will occur next Monday at 7:00 p.m. in the plenary hall of the Consistory.
The Mayor of La Laguna, Luis Yeray Gutiérrez, emphasised in a statement that this designation aims to “recognise the journey and values that Sergio has consistently embodied within the realm of basketball, serving as a role model for several generations who cherish and commit themselves to this sport.”
“Sergio Rodríguez, who grew up in the El Ortigal neighbourhood, has been one of the most distinguished figures from La Laguna in recent years and has played a pivotal role in raising the profile of our municipality both nationally and internationally, through the various clubs he has represented and his participation in the Spanish national team, where he has achieved significant success,” the mayor added.
He went on to say, “With this event, we aim to reward the immense effort, dedication, hard work, and perseverance that Sergio has demonstrated in the sporting world over his lengthy career, and bestow upon him the highest honour that this City Council can offer to its most distinguished citizens.”
‘El Chacho’ has announced his retirement for the summer of 2024, after enjoying extensive success in the basketball arena.
He has been among the few Spanish athletes to compete in the NBA, featuring with teams such as the Portland Trail Blazers, Sacramento Kings, New York Knicks, and Philadelphia 76ers.
As part of the Spanish Basketball National Team, he has won a gold medal at the 2006 World Cup in Japan, a silver at the 2007 Eurobasket, a bronze at the 2012 London Olympics, a bronze at the 2013 Eurobasket in Slovenia, a gold at the 2015 Eurobasket in France, and two bronze medals at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games and the 2017 Eurobasket in Turkey.
At the domestic club level, he started his career at Tenerife Basketball Club, although he had his ACB debut with the historic Estudiantes de Madrid.
One of his most fruitful periods was spent at Real Madrid, where he played a crucial role in securing numerous titles.
During his eight years at the Madrid club, he succeeded in winning 17 titles: two Euroleagues, one intercontinental cup, four leagues, five King’s Cups, and five Spanish Super Cups. Furthermore, he was named MVP of the Euroleague and selected for the ideal quintet in the 2013-2014 season, MVP of the Spanish Super Cup in 2013, and was honoured as a member of the ideal quintet of the League three times (2012-2013, 2013-2014, and 2015-2016).
His achievements at the European level extend further. Sergio Rodríguez was also part of CSKA Moscow, a team with which he claimed a Euroleague title and two VTB leagues, as well as with EA7 Emporio Armani Milan, where he won a league title, two Italian Cups, and an Italian Super Cup.
