Basketball in the Region of Murcia is celebrating its 70th anniversary this season, marking seven decades of organized competition that traces its roots back to 1956 and the founding efforts of Manuel Martínez Sánchez. From early school tournaments and a 1956 international match against visiting American naval personnel in Cartagena, regional hoops have expanded across clubs, referee bodies, and youth leagues.
The milestone arrives alongside a surge in women’s regional competition. Esta campaña 26/27 tendremos récord de equipos regionales en Primera División Femenina. Women’s basketball across the region has achieved notable milestones recently, including Hozono Global Jairis lifting the Copa de la Reina in 2025 and Ruiz Re CB Lumbreras capturing the IV Copa Federación Femenina title after defeating Club Basket Femenino Ciudad de Cartagena 83–64 in Fuente Álamo.
Seven Decades of Organized Growth
The formal structure of the sport began taking shape in the mid-1950s under Manuel Martínez Sánchez, who served as the first president of what is now the Federación de Baloncesto de la Región de Murcia (FBRM). Early competition grew out of Frente de Juventudes tournaments and school championships held at the Colegio de San Antonio court. Landmark events over the subsequent decades included hosting the Copa del Generalísimo in 1976 and the continuous expansion of FEB-affiliated clubs throughout the territory.
Regional clubs and development programs have steadily moved through competitive tiers, establishing the area as a consistent supplier of talent to national leagues and international squads. The anniversary year highlights this evolution through commemorative events, including the presentation of a commemorative jersey to Juan Carlos Hernández by the regional federation.
The Expansion of Regular Season 3×3 Basketball
As part of its anniversary programming, the regional federation has elevated 3×3 basketball from casual summer tournaments into an established regular-season discipline. Following the sport’s inclusion at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and Spain’s silver medal at the Paris 2024 Games, Murcia established a formalized circuit of summer qualifying events.
Tournaments held across San Javier, La Manga, San Pedro del Pinatar, Alquerías, Águilas, Blanca, and Fortuna awarded ranking points toward the I La FEDE Summer Tour Finals. The championship event took place on September 5 at the Pabellón Príncipe de Asturias in Murcia, where La Laguna 3×3 and Murcianicas claimed the men’s and women’s titles, respectively.
Murcian Talent Across National and International Leagues
Regional representation extends far beyond local borders into top-tier national competitions and international rosters. In the coaching ranks, Alberto Antuña secured a bronze medal at the 2025 Afrobasket with the South Sudan women’s national team and achieved promotion to the Liga Femenina Endesa with Azulmarino Mallorca Palma.
In Spain’s top flight, Franky García manages Gernika, while Isa Latorre plays for Movistar Estudiantes and Laura Gil continues her professional career. Additional professional representation includes players across Primera FEB, Segunda FEB, and various regional groups in Tercera FEB.
North American Collegiate Pathways
Beyond domestic leagues, young players from Murcia have increasingly pursued athletic and academic opportunities in North America. Es el caso del cartagenero Javier Ayala (DME Academy de Daytona, Florida), Inés Hernández (Frederick J.
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