Manu Ginobili By: Kale George

Manu is born Emanuel David Ginobili was born on July 28th, 1977 in Bahia Blanca, Argentina.

Family Parents: Jorge and Raquel. Jorge was a coach at a club in Bahia Blanca and taught his children about the game of basketball. Has 2 brothers, Sebastian and Leandro Both played professional basketball in Argentina and Spain

Early Years of Basketball Ginobili made pro debut in in Argentina for the Andino Sport Club team of La Rioja in 1995. He then played for his hometown team until he moved to Europe to join the Italian league. Played 1998-2000 with Basket Viola Reggio Calabria, an Italian league team.

Getting Good Entered 1999 NBA Draft and was selected 57th overall by San Antonio Spurs. Didn’t sign with spurs at that time and returned to Italy to play for Kinder Bologna Won the Italian Championship and the Euroleague, winning 2001 Euroleague MVP as well as Italian league MVP from 200-2002

Finally a Spur Manu Joined the Spurs in 2002 Was injured early that year and found it tough to adjust to the NBA style of play. Ginobili soon got healthy and adjusted to style of play winning Rookie Of The Month in March and was named to 2nd team all rookie team in helping the team to a 60-22 record and an NBA Championship. Had a gym named after him in Bahia Blanca that year and was named Argentina’s sportsman of the year.

Spurs Career Manu started for the team from 2003-2005 In the 2004-2005 season Manu once again helped the team to winning an NBA Championship and was selected as an All-Star In 2006 Manu was injured most of the year but returned for the playoffs, however the Spurs lost in the 2nd round Ginobili did not start for the team in the 2006-2007 and 2007-2008 seasons but provided a huge spark off the bench

Spurs Career Continued In 2007 he helped the team to another NBA Championship. In 2008 Manu was named to the All-NBA 3rd team and was awarded 6th man of the year, however the team lost in the playoffs In 2009 Manu was injured all year and the team missed the playoffs entirely Last year Manu signed an extension with the team through the 2013 season

Player Profile and Achievements 6’6”, 205 pound left handed shooting guard Won NBA Championships in ‘03, ‘05, and ‘07 NBA All-Star in 2005 NBA Third team and Sixth man of the year in ’08 Played for Argentine Olympic team in 2004 winning the Gold Medal, and in 2008, winning the Bronze Medal In 2004 they were the first team to win Gold other than U.S. in 16 years. Manu also hit a buzzer beater with 0.7 seconds left to send the team to the Gold Medal Game, defeating Serbia. Manu calls it his greatest achievement.

The Bat… On 31 October 2009, in a game against the Sacramento Kings, a bat flew down to the court stopping play. As the bat flew past, Ginobili swatted it to the ground with his bare hand and killing it. He then carried it off the court, earning an applause from the crowd.