The NBA G League continued to expand by welcoming its first franchise from outside the United States and Canada. The Mexico City Capitanes will make their debut as the first Latin American team in the 2021-22 season.
The original announcement that the NBA would add a G League franchise in Mexico City was made in December 2019. The inaugural season was delayed by one year due to the coronavirus pandemic. It will also restrict the teams' travels for the upcoming season.
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The Capitanes will play all of their games in the United States due to international travel restrictions.
The NBA first ventured into Mexico with a preseason game between the Houston Rockets and the Dallas Mavericks that took place at the Palacio de los Deportes in Mexico City in 1992.
Nick Lagios, who has worked for the Los Angeles Lakers' South Bay affiliate since 2016 will be the team’s first GM.
"It’s an absolute dream to be named the first GM of the Mexico City Capitanes. We will play in the (G League) starting next season," Lagios wrote in an Instagram post.
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"This is the first Mexican team ever in a USA sports league, which is an honor to be a part of. I hope we can make all of Mexico and Latin America proud and elevate basketball within central and South America. Laker family, I will miss you all but I won’t be leaving LA quite yet!!"
The Capitanes will be the league's 30th team -- 28 are affiliated with NBA clubs.