Wayne Brabender

In this Spanish name, the first or paternal surname is Brabender and the second or maternal family name is Cole.

Wayne Donald Brabender Cole (born October 16, 1945) is an American-born Spanish retired professional basketball player and coach. He acquired Spanish citizenship in 1968, relinquishing his U.S. citizenship to qualify for the Spanish national team. At a height of 6'4" (1.93 m), he could play at either the shooting guard or small forward positions. He was named one of FIBA's 50 Greatest Players in 1991. On February 3, 2008, Brabender was chosen as one of the 50 most influential personalities to European professional club basketball, over the previous half-century, by the EuroLeague Basketball Experts Committee. In 2018, he was named one of the 101 Greats of European Basketball.

Wayne Brabender

Brabender (#4 in white)
Personal information
Born	(1945-10-16) October 16, 1945 Montevideo, Minnesota, U.S.
Nationality	Spanish
Listed height	6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
Listed weight	225 lb (102 kg)
Career information
High school	Milan (Milan, Minnesota)
College	Ridgewater College (1963–1965) Minnesota–Morris (1965–1967)
NBA draft	1967: 14th round, 145th overall pick
Selected by the Philadelphia 76ers
Playing career	1967–1985
Position	Shooting guard / small forward
Number	4, 14
Coaching career	1990–2004
Career history
As player:
1967–1983	Real Madrid
1983–1985	Caja Madrid
As coach:
1990–1991	Real Madrid
1991–1992	Gran Canaria
1994–1997	Valladolid
2004	CB Illescas
Career highlights and awards
As a player: 4× FIBA Intercontinental Cup champion (1976–1978, 1981) 4× EuroLeague champion (1968, 1974, 1978, 1980) 13× Spanish League champion (1968–1977, 1979, 1980, 1982) 7× Spanish Cup winner (1970–1975, 1977) 50 Greatest EuroLeague Contributors (2008) EuroBasket MVP (1973) 5× FIBA European Selection (1974–1976, 1979, 1980) FIBA's 50 Greatest Players (1991) 101 Greats of European Basketball (2018)
Stats at Basketball Reference
Medals Representing Spain Men's Basketball FIBA EuroBasket 1973 Spain

College career

Born in Montevideo, Minnesota, Brabender played college basketball at Willmar Junior College (now Ridgewater College) and the University of Minnesota Morris after a high school career at Milan High School.

Club playing career

Brabender was drafted by the Philadelphia 76ers in the 14th round (145th overall) of the 1967 NBA draft, though he never played in the NBA. Brabender came to Spain in order to gain experience, and he ended up contributing to four EuroLeague titles won by Real Madrid in 1968, 1974, 1978, and 1980. With Real Madrid, he also won 13 Spanish League championships, 7 Spanish Cups, and 4 Intercontinental Cups.

National team playing career

Brabender played for the senior men's Spain national basketball team, and he won the silver medal at the EuroBasket 1973, where he was also named the MVP of the tournament. He also played at the EuroBasket 1971, the 1972 Summer Olympic Games, the 1974 FIBA World Championship, EuroBasket 1975, the 1975 Mediterranean Games, EuroBasket 1977, EuroBasket 1979, the 1980 Summer Olympic Games (where Spain achieved 4th place), EuroBasket 1981, and the 1982 FIBA World Championship.

See also

• List of former United States citizens who relinquished their nationality

External links

• Euroleague.net Profile
• LeyendasBaloncestoRealMadrid.es (in Spanish)