Basketball was in Gui Santos’ genes. Imagine having parents who would equally support you and all your dreams when they finally come true. It’s the same thing that happened with Gui. Growing up with a strong sense of family values and support is how he found his passion for hoops. So we aren’t keeping you hanging, so let’s get straight into what is Gui Santos’ story.
Where is Gui Santos from? What is the Warriors star’s nationality?
Gui Santos was born in Brasília, Brazil, on June 22, 2002 to Deivisson and Lucineide. Thus making his nationality Brazilian. When talking about his ethnicity, he’s also fully Brazilian. His parents were both professional basketball players, and their influence shaped his life.
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Deivisson played for five seasons in Brazil’s top league, Novo Basquete Brasil, which exposed his son to the sport at an early age. Santos’s passion for the game, combined with the knowledge he gained from his father, led him to pursue the sport professionally. His dedication to the game has paid off, and he is now making waves with the Golden State Warriors. However, he also has a younger brother who’s not behind that at all!
His younger brother, Eduardo Santos, has also followed in the family’s footsteps. Eduardo is already a champion! He was part of the Brazilian Under-15 National Team, which won a silver medal at the 2024 South American Championship. Basketball runs deep in the Santos family, creating a powerful legacy that continues to inspire them all.
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As a player with the Warriors, Gui is not only a promising talent but also an ambassador of Brazilian basketball. How will he continue to represent his country on the world stage? But, as he represented Brazil on the global stage? And if yes, then where?
Has Gui Santos played for the Brazilian national team?
Yes, Gui Santos has represented Brazil on the international stage. His journey with the Brazilian National Team began early when he helped Brazil win the gold medal at the 2019 FIBA South America Under-17 Championship in Chile. Do you know in the final he scored 27 points? Yes, against Argentina.
In 2020, he received his first call-up to the Brazilian senior national team by coach Aleksandar Petrovic and made his senior debut during the 2022 FIBA AmeriCup qualification. There he scored 11 points over two games against Uruguay in the Copa America qualifiers. His growth as a player continued, as he also made appearances for Brazil in the 2024 Paris Olympics qualification.
The hooper was also a key member of the Brazilian roster during the 2024 Paris Olympics. His performance in international competitions has shown his development as a player. In one of his outings, he averaged 7.3 points and 2 steals over three games. Notably, he also started a game for Brazil during a do-or-die matchup against Team USA.
Despite the odds against them, with the dream 2.0, Team USA stacked with legendary stars like LeBron James and Steph Curry, Santos, and the Brazilian team were determined to put up a strong fight. Draymond Green praised Gui, saying, “Shout out to Gui Santos. Young fella playing for Brazil, representing his country. I love to see it.” Although Green expected Brazil to struggle, the recognition of Gui’s commitment to his national team was undeniable.
Imagine being so young and already getting passed by such a huge star! What impact will his dedication have on Brazil’s future basketball endeavors? Well, now we know that he and Brazil will look good, and with that, let’s see how his way to the NBA was.
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How did Gui Santos make it to the NBA?
At the age of 16, Gui Santos’ journey to the NBA began. He started his professional debut playing for Minas in Brazil’s Novo Basquete Brasil (NBB). In the 2018-19 season, he impressed by averaging 6.7 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 2.5 assists. Despite being young, he stood out as a key player.
In the following year, the hooper played in the 2019 Basketball Development League (LDB), leading his team with averages of 14.5 points and 6.4 rebounds. By 2020, Santos had earned a more significant role on Minas’ senior team. Then came his time!
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His potential was recognized internationally when he was selected for the 2021 Nike Hoop Summit. That same year, Santos declared for the NBA draft. His consistent development came as a surprise and led to winning the NBB Sixth Man of the Year award after averaging 10.1 points and 5.1 rebounds during the 2021-22 season. However, who knew something big was knocking on his door for the next season?
His dream finally came true when in the 2022 NBA Draft, the Golden State Warriors selected Santos as the 55th overall pick. All his hard work, dedication, and sacrifice were answered when he played with Steph Curry. What more will Gui Santos achieve in the NBA?
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Can Gui Santos become the next big Brazilian star in the NBA, following in his family's footsteps?
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Can Gui Santos become the next big Brazilian star in the NBA, following in his family's footsteps?
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