Carlos Arroyo could have been a hairdresser, but chose basketball instead / News - Basketnews.com

Credit: AFP – Scanpix Credit AFP – Scanpix

Describing Carlos Arroyo's basketball journey is a difficult undertaking. The ingenious Puerto Rican has traveled to almost every place on earth during his career, which lasted from 1996 through 2019. Seven teams in the NBA, five in Europe, and two more in his homeland asked for his services before he decided to draw the curtain at the age of 40.

Carlos Arroyo

Position:PGAge:41Height:188 cmWeight:92 kgBirth place:Fajardo, Puerto RicoProfileNewsStatistics

The guard from Fajardo, who was not selected in the 2001 NBA draft, recorded 603 NBA games, but also 5 EuroLeague seasons with the jerseys of Baskonia, Maccabi, Barcelona, and Galatasaray. As if all this was not enough, Arroyo also followed a fairly successful musical path, alongside his on-court obligations. Based on his love for reggaeton, he established his own studio and independent record label called "Arroyo Hit Music" and launched a mini-musical career in 2009. He even teamed up with his compatriot, Luis Fonsi, who rose to world fame in 2018 with the success of "Despacito". Carlos Arroyo keeps creating and producing music, to the point of being considered as one of the most promising talents on the Caribbean scene.

This is not to imply that the retired player has cut all ties to basketball. Last May, he was appointed as general manager of the Puerto Rico national team. Arroyo was already part of the coaching staff as an advisor of the national program since February 2020. The former coach and captain of the national team has also worked on the recruitment of players and towards the integration of former NBA player Shabazz Napier in the team ahead of the 2022 AmeriCup tournament.

Puerto Rico are now gearing up for the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament to be played in Belgrade, Serbia, where they will battle for the only available ticket to the Tokyo Olympic Games. However, Eddie Casiano's squad was beaten 4 times in a total of 5 friendly games: the "culprits" were Greece, Serbia, and Croatia (twice). The only consolation came with a victory over Mexico at the Acropolis Tournament in Athens.

That's where BasketNews met Carlos Arroyo for a discussion on his career, the Puerto Rican national team, his affinity for music, and his abilities as a hairdresser!

Q: First of all, how did you become involved with Puerto Rico NT once again?

A: I am very happy to be here, to be able to continue supporting my national team and my country. I'm delighted with the opportunity and honored with this new role. I hope to be able to help the young athletes so that the excitement returns in this country.

Credit Getty Images

Q: Are you optimistic ahead of the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament?

A: Sure, one is always optimistic. Obviously, we have a relatively new group with few experienced players at this level, but I am very happy with the effort and the work of the boys so far. We still have a lot of room to improve.

Q: What do you think of the tournament? Can Puerto Rico surpass obstacles like those of Serbia and Italy?

A: Beat them? I think we can. Anything is possible and I am an example of that when in 2004 we beat the United States in Greece. You have to prepare well for the game and keep the faith that you can pull out the win. The ticket to the Olympics is one and we know it. Many teams have absences, something which increases our chances a little bit.

Q: How do you view the future of basketball in Puerto Rico?

A: There are many expectations from the next generation of players. However, their development is a priority, in order for them to understand that they must work hard. It's difficult to establish a consistent career and therefore one must make a lot of sacrifices. The development of a player starts in the lower categories. Our goal is to keep it at the level where it's supposed to be. I will be by the team's side whenever they need me. I always try to find the time to join them.

Q: You spent 23 years on the courts. What is left in you in terms of memories, situations, and experiences?

A: I was able to get to know different cultures, travel the world, and win in different countries. That was great and today I maintain a close relationship with a lot of the teammates and the people I met over time.

In fact, I love coming to Europe - and especially Greece brings back many memories because my life changed after the 2004 Olympic Games. After we beat Team USA and the tournament was over, the people in Latin America opened the doors for us and many sponsors came our way. My name was finally getting more respect. It was the most dazzling moment of my career.

Q: Did you have a hard time because of the "new Stockton" label that was put on you?

A: I loved it. It was a very nice experience for me to be next to Stockton and Malone. I learned a lot because the experience allowed me to grow, it taught me to be disciplined and made me understand what the NBA was all about.

Q: Among all the guards you played with, which one(s) would you single out?

A: Wow! I have to say Stockton, Billups, Rondo in Boston. I was able to learn a lot from all of them, as well as from the coaches I had.

Q: In Europe, who helped you the most?

A: Ataman, he was my favorite. We had a very good connection, we liked each other, won together. It was a beautiful story.

Credit Anadolu Agency

Q: Do you miss not making it to a Final Four or not winning the NBA title?

A: I was close to an NBA title (editor's note: with the Detroit Pistons in 2005), but it didn't happen. We were close to a Final Four with Barcelona, but we missed it in the last game (editor's note: against Lokomotiv Kuban). I had a great time in Barcelona. I've always wanted to be a part of the club. It's a team that I respect a lot, not only because of the great players that have worn its jersey but also because it has made history in European basketball.

Q: To what extent do you think that your presence in the NBA opened the door to other Puerto Rican athletes?

A: What I did there gave inspiration to players, who were watching me when they were kids. We live on a small island and there are slim chances of someone dreaming big and achieving important goals.

Q: Which was the best and the worst part of playing in the NBA?

A: My fondest memory is when I signed my first contract with the Raptors and the worst when I was let go by the very same team a few months later. I was very young and didn't understand the NBA business back then.

Q: Do you see your future in basketball or music?

A: I love basketball, it's my passion. Music started as a hobby, but lately, I have taken it more seriously and I love it. It's something that distracts me. I have a contract with a music record company.

Q: Which talents of yours are not widely known?

A: I cut hair. While in the NBA, I cut the hair of many players, like Hakeem Olajuwon and Dwyane Wade. I don't remember if I did it with LeBron as well. In Puerto Rico, there's a lot of pressure on people who cut hair. When you're in Europe, there's hardly a barber anywhere and you have to learn how to cut your hair by yourself.

Q: How come you had that reunion with Karl Malone in his house last February?

A: I was in Miami and I went to visit him. His wife is a friend of my wife's. The two of them told me to pay him a surprise visit. I hadn't seen him for almost 20 years. We always texted each other, but we hadn't met. We have a very good relationship and we're friends from the first day I arrived in Utah.

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