NBA
New Nets coach Jordi Fernández honored by his hometown Badalona
The coach, the first Spaniard to lead an NBA franchise (Brooklyn Nets), joins a list that already includes swimmer Mireia Belmonte and singer Miguel Poveda, among others.
Coach Jordi Fernández who, starting next season will become the first Spaniard to lead an NBA team after being hired by the Brooklyn Nets, is to be honored by his hometown, Badalona in north east Spain.
Jordi Fernández to be handed Favorite Son award by his birthtown
Badalona mayor Xavier García Albiol announced today his intention to present at the municipal plenary session in May a proposal for Fernández to receive the highest honorary distinction of the city - the city’s Favorite Son (Hijo Predilecto de la Ciudad).
Badalona’s famous sons and daughters
The Catalan coach will join a select list of Badalona’s most notable people that includes swimmer Mireia Belmonte, Flamenco singer Miguel Poveda, actor Eric Borràs, historian and archaeologist Joaquim Font, and the former mayor of Badalona, Salvador Serentill.
With a degree in Sports Sciences, the 41-year-old Fernández, has developed a good part of his career in the United States. He moved to the States in 2006, but he has not forgotten his origins, as he was keen to highlight during his presentation as head coach of the Brooklyn Nets last Wednesday.
Badalona’s basketball connections
“I have been in the NBA for 15 years, but I was born and raised in Badalona . And I don’t know if you know it, but it is one of the best basketball cities in the world. There are many great players and coaches from my city,” explained the coach, who began his career in two historic clubs in the city: CB Sant Josep and Joventut, of which he was also a player in the lower categories.
Fernández was recruited in 2009 by coach Mike Brown in the Cleveland Cavaliers, where he coincided with LeBron James and Kyrie Irving, to serve as a coach specialized in player development. Later, he served as an assistant coach for the Denver Nuggets and the Sacramento Kings.
In national team basketball, Fernández was part of the Nigeria coaching staff at the 2020 Olympic Games, with Mike Brown in at the helm, and won the bronze medal as head coach of Canada at the 2023 FIBA World Cup.