Mets de Guaynabo (basketball)

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The Guaynabo Mets are a Puerto Rican professional basketball team based in Guaynabo, Puerto Rico, competing in the Baloncesto Superior Nacional (BSN), the island's premier basketball league, as part of its East Division. Originally founded in 1935 as the Cangrejeros of Santurce, the franchise relocated to Guaynabo in 1976, adopting the Mets moniker due to the city's metropolitan location. The Mets play their home games at Mario Morales Coliseum, named after Mets legend Mario "Quijote" Morales, a legendary player who guided the Mets to three BSN championships in the 1980s (1980, 1982, and 1989).<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

The Mets reached the finals in 1978, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1985, 1989, 1990, 1993 and 2021.

Team history

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Under the leadership of seasoned coach Julio Toro, the Mets achieved a level of excellence that led them to win three championships: in 1980, 1982, and 1989. These titles were marked by the leadership of Mario "Quijote" Morales, a legendary forward whose on-court skill and off-court charisma made him the face of the franchise. Alongside him, players like Federico "Fico" López brought talent and depth to the team, creating a chemistry that propelled them to several additional finals appearances.<ref name=":1">Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite AV media</ref><ref>Template:Cite AV media</ref>

1980: This marked the first championship for the Mets in their new home after relocating from Santurce. Under the guidance of coach Julio Toro, the team showcased a strong roster led by Mario "Quijote" Morales, whose scoring ability and leadership were pivotal. The Mets defeated their opponents in the finals, establishing themselves as a rising force in the BSN and setting the stage for their successful decade.<ref name=":1" />

1982: Two years later, the Mets claimed their second title, further solidifying their dominance in the 1980s. With Julio Toro still at the helm and Morales continuing to shine, the team displayed exceptional teamwork and defensive prowess. This championship came after a hard-fought series, highlighting their consistency and ability to perform under pressure against the league's top competition.<ref name=":1" />

1989: The Mets' third championship arrived at the end of the decade, capping off a remarkable run. Mario Morales remained the cornerstone of the team, supported by a talented supporting cast. This victory was particularly significant as it came after several near-misses in the finals earlier in the decade (1981, 1983, and 1985), proving the team's resilience and determination to reclaim the BSN crown.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Conquistadores de Guaynabo

Basketball in Guaynabo has deep roots, particularly associated with the Mets de Guaynabo, a historic franchise that began in 1935 as the Cangrejeros de Santurce and moved to Guaynabo in 1976. The Mets dominated the league in the 1980s, winning championships in 1980, 1982, and 1989. However, in the early 2000s, the Mets faced financial difficulties that led to their hiatus, leaving a void in Guaynabo's representation in the BSN. In this context, the Conquistadores de Guaynabo emerged as a response to the need to keep basketball alive in the city. In November 2005, after the temporary disappearance of the Mets, the Gallitos de Isabela franchise was relocated to Guaynabo at the initiative of then-mayor Héctor O'Neill García. This team adopted the name Conquistadores de Guaynabo, marking the return of high-level basketball to the city under a new identity. The Conquistadores debuted in the 2006 BSN season, with Julio César Vega Acosta as their first team owner and later Jorge Cátala Monge. Despite the initial enthusiasm, the Conquistadores could not replicate the historic success of the Mets. During their existence, the team faced both sporting and administrative challenges. The Conquistadores did win any titles nor reach the BSN finals, and its tenure in the league was relatively short-lived. In 2009, after resolving issues related to the rights to the Guaynabo franchise name, it was decided to reinstate the "Mets" name for all the city's sports franchises, marking the end of the Conquistadores as an active entity in the BSN. That year, the Mets were reestablished, replacing the Conquistadores and reviving the more iconic name. Although the Conquistadores did not leave a deep mark in terms of championships or sporting achievements, their existence served as a temporary bridge to keep professional basketball alive in Guaynabo. After their dissolution in 2009, the Mets returned and continued competing in the BSN.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite AV media</ref>

Return as an expansion team

On November 22, 2019, league officials announced the first expansion team since 1993 would be established in the San Juan area.<ref name="BSN2">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="ElNuevaDia">Template:Cite web</ref> Owners Marc Grossman and Mark Linder initially eyed Roberto Clemente Coliseum as the home court for their new team, but San Juan's Mayor Carmen Yulin Cruz<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> expressed concerns the team wouldn't be able to play a full season at the venue due to previously scheduled events.<ref name="PrimeraHora2">Template:Cite web</ref> Grossman and Linder then decided to revive the Mets de Guaynabo, five years after the original team left Guaynabo.<ref name="TelemundoPR">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="PrimeraHora">Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

The team reintroduced themselves on December 17, 2019, in a press conference with Grossman, former Puerto Rico national basketball team general manager Alfredo Morales, Guaynabo Mayor Angel Perez Otero, and BSN President Ricardo Dalmau.<ref name="TelemundoPR" /><ref name="BSN">Template:Cite web</ref> During the press conference, team officials revealed the new team, the league's tenth, signed its first free agent, Angel Alamo.<ref name="BSN" /> Alamo was a 34-year-old forward who had played previously for the Mets in 2012 and 2013.<ref name="TelemundoPR" /><ref name="PrimeraHora3">Template:Cite web</ref> The team also selected four players in an expansion draft on November 22, 2019, and received the 11th pick in the January 15, 2020 draft.<ref name="BSN" /><ref name="PrimeraHora2" /><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Recent years (2020–present)

The 2020 season in the Baloncesto Superior Nacional (BSN) marked the Mets return to the league after a five-year absence, having been reinstated with new ownership in 2019. The season, delayed and condensed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, was played in a "bubble" format in Puerto Rico, starting in November 2020. The Mets showed promise in their comeback year, finishing the regular season with a competitive record and securing a spot in the playoffs. They advanced to the semifinals, a significant achievement for a team reestablishing itself, but their run ended with a 2-1 series loss to the Vaqueros de Bayamón, falling just short of their first BSN Finals appearance since 1993. The semifinal defeat came in a close Game 3, with Bayamón edging out a 79-76 victory. Key performances from players like David Stockton, who led with 40 points in a crucial regular season win, highlighted the Mets’ potential, setting the stage for their stronger showings in subsequent years. Overall, the 2020 season was a bittersweet but encouraging return for the Mets, blending a rollercoaster of challenges with a solid foundation for future success.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

2021 season: Building on their semifinal appearance in 2020, the Mets showcased resilience and talent, ultimately reaching the BSN Finals.

In the regular season, the Mets finished with a strong 21-11 record, placing them among the league’s top teams and securing a favorable playoff seed. Their postseason run began with a quarterfinal matchup against the Leones de Ponce, whom they defeated 4-2 in a six-game series. A standout moment came in Game 6, when captain Jonathan Han hit a dramatic half-court buzzer-beater to clinch an 83-80 victory with the score tied at 80-80 and less than six seconds remaining—an iconic play that propelled them forward.

In the semifinals, the Mets faced the Vaqueros de Bayamón, the team that had eliminated them in 2020. This time, they pushed the series to seven games, splitting the first six with notable performances, including a 101-93 win in Game 2 led by Han’s 20 points. Despite Han’s hamstring injury sidelining him late in the series, the Mets prevailed 4-3, advancing to the Finals for the first time since 1993.

In the BSN Finals, the Mets met the Capitanes de Arecibo, a formidable opponent led by Walter Hodge. The series was competitive, with Guaynabo splitting the first two games—Arecibo won Game 1 (86-80), while the Mets took Game 2 (91-86). However, Arecibo gained momentum, winning Games 3 and 4 (85-71 and 96-85), putting the Mets on the brink. Guaynabo fought back with an 85-75 victory in Game 5, narrowing the series to 3-2, but Arecibo sealed the championship in Game 6 with a 90-79 win, taking the title 4-2.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

The 2021 season was a breakthrough for the Mets, finishing as runners-up in their deepest playoff run since the early 1990s.

The 2022 season was a step back from their impressive 2021 Finals run, marked by inconsistency and a failure to reach the playoffs. After finishing as runners-up the previous year, the Mets entered 2022 with high expectations under head coach Brad Greenberg but struggled to replicate their prior success. The Mets were unable to maintain the momentum from their 2021 semifinal and Finals appearances. Key players like Jonathan Han, Renaldo Balkman, and Tyquan Rolón remained on the roster, but the team's cohesion faltered, and they finished outside the postseason picture. This disappointing outcome prompted adjustments in subsequent years, including the high-profile signing of DeMarcus Cousins in 2023, as the Mets sought to reclaim their competitive edge. The 2022 season thus stands as a rare stumble in the franchise's otherwise strong resurgence.

The Mets acquired DeMarcus Cousins, a former NBA All-Star center just in time for the 2023 season, marking a significant moment for the franchise. Announced on April 11, 2023, Cousins signed with the team as a free agent at the age of 32, aiming to use the stint as a steppingstone to return to the NBA after going unsigned for the 2022-23 season. The Mets, recognizing his pedigree, brought him on board for the spring season, with team co-owner Marc Grossman praising Cousins as "one of the best basketball players of his generation" whose skills, particularly his ability to shoot and stretch the floor, would fit well in the BSN's fast-paced style.<ref name=":0">Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Cousins' impact on the Mets during his 2023 tenure was notable both on and off the court. He delivered impressive statistical performances, averaging 20.4 points, 10.9 rebounds, and 4.5 assists per game in 25.48 minutes, while shooting an efficient 44% from beyond the three-point line and 69% from the free-throw line. His presence elevated the team's competitiveness, guiding them to the BSN playoffs and into the semifinals. However, their championship hopes were dashed by the Gigantes de Carolina, who eliminated the Mets in a hard-fought seven-game series. Cousins suffered an injury early in Game 6, sidelining him for about a week and potentially affecting the team's late-series momentum, though he had already left a strong mark on their postseason run.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Overall, the 2023 season was a success for the Mets, marking their second semifinal appearance in three years since their 2019 reinstatement. Cousins' impact, alongside contributions from veterans and emerging talent, solidified their status as a BSN contender, though they couldn't reclaim the Finals glory of 2021.

In August 2023, J. J. Barea, a 14-year NBA veteran and 2011 champion with the Dallas Mavericks, was announced as the new head coach of the Guaynabo Mets.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name=":0" /><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

In the 2024 season, the Mets continued to build on their competitive standing, though specific results remain incomplete as of early 2025. Their most recent documented game prior to the season's conclusion was a loss in game 6 of the playoffs to the Leones de Ponce (87-70), reflecting ongoing challenges against top-tier BSN teams. Over these four seasons, the Guaynabo Mets have solidified their return to prominence in Puerto Rican basketball, balancing playoff appearances with periods of adjustment under head coach Barea.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

DeMarcus Cousins matched up against JaVale McGee, in a game of Guaynabo vs Bayamón on May 16, 2025.

The 2025 season began with Barea as head coach. Despite early successes, such as the win against Arecibo, Barea's tenure ended after an 8-10 run. On May 8, 2025, he was informed by one of the team's owners that he had been fired, a decision that left him disappointed as he wished to complete the season.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> American Josh King was announced as the new head coach for the rest of the season.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> King couldn't turn things around, 5-11, and the Mets finished with a regular season record of 13 wins and 21 losses,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> placing them 5th in Division A standing and not reaching the play-offs. This record reflects a .382 winning percentage (13/34 games), indicating a challenging season with inconsistent performances especially on the defensive side. The team averaged 95.03 points scored per game and allowed 97.0.

Season-by-season record

Note: GP = Games played, W = Wins, L = Losses, W–L% = Winning percentage

Season GP W L W–L% Finish Playoffs
2019–20 11 5 6 45% 8th Lost in Semifinals 1-2 (Bayamon)
2021 32 17 15 53% 3rd A Lost in Final 2-4 (Capitanes de Arecibo)
2022 32 14 18 44% 5th A Did not qualify
2023 36 21 15 58% 2nd A Lost in Semifinals 3-4 (Carolina)
2024 34 21 13 62% 1st A Lost in Quarterfinals 2-4 (Ponce)
2025 34 13 21 38% 5th A Did not qualify

2025-26 Team Roster

Team roster

The roster and player statistics below are taken from the BSN team roster / statistics page and corroborated where available by independent databases (RealGM, ScoutBasketball, Flashscore). Replace `` placeholders with the player's BSN profile URL or other reliable sources when editing live.

# Player Pos. Height Weight Nationality Date of birth Previous team / notes 2025 (GP / PPG)
— William Douglas G 1.96 m Template:Flagicon Listed on 2025 Mets roster (BSN). <ref>Template:Cite web</ref> 12 GP / 8.2 PPG <ref name="bsn-team">Template:Cite web</ref>
— Brandon Boyd G 1.85 m Template:Flagicon Acquired in 2025 (BSN reporting). <ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> 32 GP / 8.7 PPG <ref name="bsn-team"/>
— Bryn Forbes G 1.91 m 93 kg (205 lb) Template:Flagicon 1993-07-23 <ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Signed for 2025 season (reported in game recaps). <ref>Template:Cite web</ref> 10 GP / 17.8 PPG <ref name="bsn-team"/>
— DeMarcus Cousins C 2.11 m 122.5 kg (270 lb) Template:Flagicon 1990-08-13 <ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Signed by Mets; season and disciplinary coverage in press. <ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> 10 GP / 18.2 PPG <ref name="bsn-team"/><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
— Ysmael Romero F/C 2.03 m 100 kg (220 lb) Template:Flagicon / Template:Flagicon 1991-06-23 <ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Transaction coverage on BSN; list as acquired in 2025. <ref>Template:Cite web</ref> 31 GP / 18.7 PPG <ref name="bsn-team"/>
— Jaysean Paige G 1.88 m Template:Flagicon 1994-07-30 <ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Player page (Wikipedia) and BSN game logs. <ref>Template:Cite web</ref> 29 GP / 15.6 PPG <ref name="bsn-team"/>
— K. J. Maura G 1.83 m Template:Flagicon 1995-07-30 <ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Listed on roster; confirm via BSN profile. <ref name="bsn-team"/>
— Derrick Williams F 2.03 m Template:Flagicon Listed on roster; confirm via BSN player page. <ref name="bsn-team"/>
— Gilberto Clavell SF 1.98 m 100 kg Template:Flagicon 1989-08-10 <ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Joined Mets in 2025 (see player page). <ref name="bsn-team"/>
— Matthew Lee G 1.83 m 9 GP / 2.6 PPG <ref name="bsn-team"/>
— Carlos Lugo Sánchez G 8 GP / 2.0 PPG <ref name="bsn-team"/>
— Theophilus (Theo) F Template:Flagicon Listed on roster; confirm exact name/spelling and profile. <ref name="bsn-team"/>
— Timajh Parker F/C 2.01 m 10 GP / 2.4 PPG <ref name="bsn-team"/>
— Bryan González Colón G/SF 1.91 m Template:Flagicon 11 GP / 5.7 PPG <ref name="bsn-team"/>
— Robert Harris II G 1.85 m 17 GP / 3.1 PPG <ref name="bsn-team"/>
— Ryan Pearson F 1.98 m 19 GP / 7.3 PPG <ref name="bsn-team"/>

Sources: BSN team roster and stats page, and corroborating databases (RealGM, ScoutBasketball, Flashscore). <ref name="bsn-team"/><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> <ref>Template:Cite web</ref> <ref>Template:Cite web</ref> <ref>Template:Cite web</ref>


Team identity

Team legends

Mario Morales and Federico "Fico" López had their jersey numbers retired by the team, and the official ceremony honoring their careers took place on November 4, 2021. During a halftime event in Game 6 of the 2021 semifinals against the Vaqueros de Bayamón at the Mario Morales Coliseum, the Mets raised banners to commemorate their contributions. Morales, who wore number 15, and López, who wore number 5, saw their numbers officially retired, ensuring no future Mets player could use them. Morales was present for the recognition, while López, who died on November 6, 2006, was represented by his family. This event celebrated their pivotal roles in the Mets’ three championships (1980, 1982, and 1989) and their lasting legacy with the franchise. On May 20, 2024 José Sosa's number 9 was retired and honored along with Morales and López<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Retired numbers

The Mets have retired 3 jersey numbers:

Mets de Guaynabo retired numbers
No. Player Position Tenure Ceremony date
15 Mario Morales F 1977-1998 November 11, 2021
5 Federico López G 1981-1997 November 11, 2021
9 José Sosa SG 1977-1986 May 20, 2024

Notable players

References

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Template:Baloncesto Superior Nacional

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