Former All-EuroLeague selection and 2019 7DAYS EuroCup champion Fernando San Emeterio announced his retirement as a basketball player on Friday. The 37-year-old hung up his uniform after 20 seasons as a professional player.
San Emeterio announces his retirement
Euroleague News
2 mins read
Former All-EuroLeague selection and 2019 7DAYS EuroCup champion Fernando San Emeterio announced his retirement as a basketball player on Friday at a ceremony at La Fonteta, Valencia Basket's court that has served as his second home for the past six seasons.
With many of his former coaches and teammates in attendance, the 37-year-old hung up his uniform after 20 seasons as a professional player, and will start next chapter of his basketball journey as an assistant on Valencia head coach Joan Penarroya staff.
San Emeterio played a total of 10 seasons in the EuroLeague – seven with Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz and three with Valencia Basket. His best season came in 2010-11 when he averaged 13.7 points, 5.5 rebounds and 2.4 assists and led the league in PIR with 19.1 in carrying Baskonia to the EuroLeague Playoffs. San Emeterio earned All-EuroLeague First Team honors that season. He also played four seasons in the EuroCup – one with Akasvayu Girona and three with Valencia.
Over the course of his career, San Emeterio has stuffed his trophy case with all sorts of titles. He was the hero of Baskonia's 2010 Spanish League finals victory over FC Barcelona when he scored the go-ahead, title-clinching basket-plus-foul, which has gone down as one of the most iconic images in club history. He also won the Spanish League in 2017 in Valencia. San Emeterio won the Spanish SuperCup once each with Baskonia and Valencia. He also took home Spanish Copa del Rey in 2009 with Baskonia and the 2007 FIBA Euro Cup with Girona. A long-time member of the Spanish national team, San Emeterio captured EuroBasket gold medals in 2011 and 2015 and EuroBasket bronze medals in 2013 and 2017. He won a silver medal at the 2012 Olympic Games in London.