Sergio Rodríguez, ‘El Chacho’, Hijo Predilecto de San Cristóbal de La Laguna

The basketball player Sergio Rodríguez, commonly known as ‘El Chacho’, has become this afternoon a Favorite Son of San Cristóbal de La Laguna in a well-deserved tribute that the municipal council wanted to pay to one of its most illustrious athletes. The event, presided over by the mayor of La Laguna, Luis Yeray Gutiérrez, served to review and honor the long and successful career of the athlete, in which he has achieved important titles at the club and national team levels.

Luis Yeray Gutiérrez began his intervention by praising Sergio Rodríguez as «one of the most decisive and charismatic players that Spanish basketball has produced in recent decades.» «Throughout his career, he has helped promote the name of our municipality at national and international levels, both in the various clubs where he has played and in the outstanding performances he has had with the Spanish National Basketball Team, being part of the most brilliant national team in our history,» declared the mayor.

The mayor continued by stating, «With the title of Favorite Son, San Cristóbal de La Laguna recognizes a professional career that is hardly matchable. But above all, we also recognize the values that Sergio Rodríguez has always represented in the world of sports and that are transferable to our lives: his tireless work, from a very young age, to find his place within professional basketball; the spirit of overcoming challenges, the ability to lead the team, his exquisite sportsmanship, and his camaraderie.»

For his part, Sergio Rodríguez emphasized that «receiving this title and being so directly linked to this city is an honor that I will always carry in my heart with deep gratitude. This World Heritage Site, full of history and culture, has seen me grow and develop as a person, providing me with values, inspiration, and an identity that always stays with me.»

The athlete from La Laguna also noted that «more than a recognition, I take on a commitment: to continue representing this land with pride, contribute to its well-being, and give back, as much as possible, everything it has given me.» Finally, the honoree thanked the City Council for this honor and all the people who made this appointment possible. «I will carry it with great responsibility, humility, and the affection that I have always felt for La Laguna and its people,» he added.

The event was attended by councilors of the municipal Corporation and a significant representation of the honoree’s family, as well as other institutional guests from administrations such as the Government of the Canary Islands, the Tenerife Island Council, the Canary Islands Parliament, and other municipalities on the island.

Professional Career of Sergio Rodríguez

‘El Chacho’ announced his retirement in the summer of 2024, after achieving the most prominent successes in the world of basketball. He has been one of the few Spanish players to be part of the NBA, being a member of the rosters of the Portland Trail Blazers, Sacramento Kings, and New York Knicks.

As a member of the Spanish National Basketball Team, he has won a gold medal at the 2006 World Championship in Japan, a silver medal at the 2007 Eurobasket, a silver medal at the 2012 London Olympics, a bronze medal at the 2013 Eurobasket in Slovenia, a gold medal at the 2015 Eurobasket in France, and two bronze medals at the 2016 Rio Olympics and the 2017 Eurobasket in Turkey.

At the national club level, he began his career at Club Baloncesto Tenerife, although his debut in the ACB was with the historic Estudiantes de Madrid. One of his most successful periods was at Real Madrid Basketball, where he significantly contributed to winning numerous titles.

In his eight seasons at the Madrid club, he won 17 titles: two Euroleagues, one Intercontinental Cup, four Leagues, five Spanish Cups, and five Spanish Super Cups. Additionally, he was the Euroleague MVP and part of the ideal team in the 2013-2014 season, MVP of the Spanish Super Cup in 2013, and was selected three times as part of the ideal team of the League (2012-2013, 2013-2014, and 2015-2016).

These were not his only achievements at the European level. Sergio Rodríguez also played for the historic CSKA Moscow, with which he won a Euroleague and two VTB leagues, and for EA7 Emporio Armani Milan, where he won a League, two Italian Cups, and an Italian Super Cup.