The NBA is returning to Mexico City, and one of its brightest Mexican-American stars believes it could soon become a permanent home for professional basketball.
On Nov. 1, the Dallas Mavericks and Detroit Pistons will face off at Arena CDMX for the NBA Mexico City Game 2025 — the league’s 34th game in Mexico since 1992, more than in any other country outside the United States and Canada. The game will coincide with Día de los Muertos celebrations and marks another step in the league’s ongoing effort to expand its global reach.
For Miami Heat forward Jaime Jaquez Jr., the return of the NBA to Mexico City represents more than a showcase. It’s a glimpse at what he hopes could become a reality — a permanent NBA team in the Mexican capital.
“Yeah, it was a great experience,” Jaquez told RG.org of his appearance in Mexico City last season. “The fans had a great time and really embraced us and the NBA. I definitely think it’d be a great location if the league wants to expand. It’s a beautiful city with a lot to do down there. I think it only makes sense — there’s already a team in Canada, so to have one down in Mexico would be great.”
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Jaquez became the first player of Mexican descent to represent the Heat in Mexico when they faced the Washington Wizards in 2024. The atmosphere, he said, was unforgettable.
“The energy was unreal,” Jaquez said after that game. “You could feel the pride in the building. To be part of that, especially during Día de los Muertos, it was something I’ll never forget.”
As one of the few active NBA players with deep Mexican roots, Jaquez’s voice carries special significance in the expansion discussion. Born in Irvine, California, and raised in Camarillo, Jaquez comes from a multigenerational basketball family with ties to Guadalajara and Zapotlanejo. He holds dual citizenship and has represented Mexico on the international stage, including at the 2019 Pan American Games.
Commissioner Adam Silver acknowledged earlier this year that expansion will be a central topic at the upcoming Board of Governors meeting, naming Mexico City and Canada as leading international options.
“This is the summer we’re going to look at it seriously,” Silver said previously. “Over time, maybe there’s more we can do in Canada and Mexico City.”
The city’s G League affiliate, Capitanes de Ciudad de México, has already proven the viability of professional basketball in the region. The team shattered attendance records and demonstrated that local fan enthusiasm rivals that of established NBA markets.
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For Jaquez, who has averaged 18.8 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 4.3 assists to start the new season, the conversation about expansion isn’t just about economics or logistics — it’s about legacy and representation.
“I think about the next kid watching in Guadalajara or Los Angeles,” he said. “If they see someone who looks like them out there, maybe they believe they can do it too.”
As the NBA deepens its footprint in Latin America, Mexico City continues to make its case — one sellout crowd and one Día de los Muertos celebration at a time.
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