Marcelinho Huertas Bio
Marcelo “Marcelinho” Tieppo Huertas, born on May 25, 1983, is a notable figure respected by many in the world of international basketball. Hailing from Brazil, Huertas established a successful career as a professional basketball player globally. Not only is he the team captain of the CB Canarias of the esteemed Spanish Liga ACB, but he also represents Brazil at an international level, playing with the senior men’s Brazilian national basketball team. Beyond this, he holds dual Brazilian and Italian citizenship, making him a truly global figure in sports.
Particularly notable is Huertas’ debut in the NBA when he was 32 years of age, which is an impressive achievement considering he was only second to Pablo Prigioni in terms of mature rookie entries and ahead of Andre Ingram. In 2015, Huertas signed with the Los Angeles Lakers, where he showcased his skills for 1 and ½ seasons before making a return to Spain in 2017.
Huertas’ basketball journey began back in Brazil with the youth basketball teams of the multi-sports club E.C. Pinheiros. After transitioning from high school basketball at Coppell High School in Coppell, Texas, Huertas initiated his professional career during the 2001-02 season with FMU São Paulo. His talent saw him subsequently play with E.C. Pinheiros and again for FMU São Paulo over the next two seasons.
In 2004, a significant shift in Huertas’ career trajectory occurred. He joined the Spanish club DKV Joventut, where he played until 2007 before moving to join Bilbao Basket the following season. The Italian League also noticed his exceptional abilities, leading to a season with Fortitudo Bologna in 2008-09. Post his stint in Italy, he cemented a three-year contract in 2009 with the Spanish League club Caja Laboral.
Furthering his Spanish League journey, Huertas signed a four-year contract with Regal FC Barcelona on August 9, 2011. Following this, he brought his skills to the NBA when he signed with the Los Angeles Lakers on September 9, 2015. His debut against the Minnesota Timberwolves saw him score 2 points, 2 rebounds, and 2 assists, impressing NBA fans. Over the next year, Huertas showed consistent performance with the Lakers, before joining the Houston Rockets in a tradeoff for Tyler Ennis in 2017. However, his tenure with the team was short-lived, as they waived him shortly after his acquisition.
Upon returning to Spain, Huertas struck a two-year deal with Baskonia in 2017, followed by another two-year contract, this time with Canarias (Iberostar Tenerife) in 2019. His first season with Canarias saw him put up notable figures of 12.9 points and 8.3 assists per game. Following a stellar performance, he re-signed with the team in 2020 and became one of its star players. He made significant contributions, securing spots in the All-Basketball Champions League First Team in 2020, and the second team in 2022, along with being a two-time FIBA Intercontinental Cup title winner in 2020 and 2023. Moreover, he was honoured with the MVP award in the first win.
Huertas’ illustrious career also extends internationally with the Brazilian national team. His time with the team has seen him win gold medals at the 2005 and 2009 FIBA Americas Championship, the 2006 South American Championship, and the 2007 Pan American Games, along with a silver medal at the 2011 FIBA Americas Championship. His international exploits include participations in multiple tournaments like the FIBA World Championship, the Summer Olympics, and the FIBA Basketball World Cup. Huertas’ remarkable career is a testament to his talent, dedication, and love for the sport, making him one of the prominent figures in international basketball.