León Najnudel

León David Najnudel (14 July 1941 – 22 April 1998) was an Argentine professional basketball player and basketball coach, and the main driving force in the creation of the Liga Nacional de Básquet, the first nationwide yearly professional basketball league in Argentina.

Najnudel is considered the most prominent figure in the history of basketball in Argentina, and also named "the father of Argentine basketball".

He coached several teams along his career, including the Argentina national team

Biography

Najnudel had a strong passion for basketball since his early age. He played in Villa Crespo, Victoria, Barracas Juniors and Atlanta.

The new nationwide league allowed basketball to grow in cities other than Buenos Aires, like in Bahía Blanca and Córdoba, that became important basketball centers. Deportivo San Andrés (1990–91), Gimnasia y Esgrima de Comodoro Rivadavia (1991–93), Boca Juniors (1993–95), Racing Club (1995–96), and a second return to Ferro C. Oeste (1996–97) to end his career. In Liga Nacional, Najnudel set a record of 241 wins and 207 loses.

Titles Ferro Carril Oeste Campeonato Sudamericano de Clubes: 1981, 1982 Liga Nacional de Básquet: 1989 CB Zaragoza Copa del Rey de Baloncesto: 1983

Statistics League games: 448 games with 241 wins and 207 losses (53,80%) Regular Series: 388 games with 207 wins and 181 losses (53,35%) Post-Season: 60 games with 34 wins and 26 losses (56,66%)