Paisas basketball club added 37-year-old American center Charles Wayne García Jr. to its roster for the local professional league and the upcoming regional tournament in Brazil, bringing an experienced former-NBA presence to the squad as they prepare to host Toros del Valle this weekend at Iván de Bedout.
Charles Wayne García Jr. Joins Paisas Ahead of Regional Tournament
Paisas bolstered its frontcourt with the signing of 2.06-meter center Charles Wayne García Jr., who brings international experience from stints in Puerto Rico, Japan, Mexico, Venezuela, Singapore, and Geneva. Born in Los Angeles, García played in the NBA Development League in 2011, earning a spot in the D-League All-Star Game, before competing in the 2012 NBA Summer League with the Phoenix Suns, where he averaged 9 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 22 minutes per contest.
Early Impact in Colombian Professional Play
García wasted no time making his presence felt for the Antioquia side, appearing in two matchups against Caribbean Storm earlier in the week. He tallied 19 points in a 107-72 victory and followed up with 14 points in a 90-79 win. Through his initial appearances in the local competition, García has logged an average of 34 minutes and 30 seconds per game, accumulating 14 rebounds and 3 assists.
Nardini Returns as Manager While Paisas Seek New Player
The arrival of García coincides with a shift on the coaching staff. Argentine manager Juan Manuel Nardini returned to lead the squad, prompting an offer for former head coach Luis Fernando Lopera to remain within the coaching staff. Lopera declined the position due to personal reasons. Meanwhile, Paisas management expects to confirm a national player signing on Friday to replace Octavio Muñoz, who underwent surgery for a knee injury.
Standings Leadership and Upcoming Clash Against Toros del Valle
Paisas sits atop its zone standings with 12 points, holding a margin over second-place Toros del Valle, who trail with 8 points. Caribbean Storm occupies third place with 6 points, while Sabios anchors the group with 4 points. The two top teams in the zone are scheduled to square off at Iván de Bedout on Saturday, October 10, at 6:00 p.m., and Sunday at 4:00 p.m. Both clubs enter the weekend series carrying undefeated records in the local tournament.
Preparation for the South American League in Brazil
As two-time champions of the Colombian league, Paisas earned selection by FIBA to represent the country in the upcoming South American League. The team travels to Brazil to face Flamengo, Defensor Sporting, and Oberá in group stage matches scheduled for October 23, 24, and 25. While the domestic league restricts teams to playing three foreign players per match—a group that currently includes Americans Jamel Artis, Braelen Bridges, and García, alongside Dominican player Giovanni Cordero—South American League regulations permit all foreign players to compete in every fixture without roster caps.
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