Dominicans are known for their predominance in baseball in the United States. But now, Dominican basketball players are moving up the ranks.
El Dia reports that several Dominican players will be participating in the NCAA March Madness tournament, starting Tuesday, 18 March 2025, one of the biggest stages in college basketball.
El Dia reports:
This year’s exclusive list of Dominican players includes R.J. Luis Jr. (St. John’s), Koby Brea (Kentucky), Gerónimo Rubio De La Rosa (Columbia Lions), Andersson García (Texas A&M), Chris Mañón (Vanderbilt), and Christian Fermín (VCU Rams).
R.J. Luis Jr. has been one of the standout players for St. John’s, helping secure the team’s spot in the NCAA tournament, which serves as a key platform for future NBA hopefuls. Born in 2002 to Dominican father Reggie Luis Charles and Ecuadorian mother Verónica Luis, R.J. was recently named the Big East Player of the Year, making him the first Latino recipient of the honor. His basketball journey began in 2019 when he played for the Dominican Republic’s national team in the U-17 Centrobasket tournament in Puerto Rico. Currently ranked 37th by NBADraft, he is projected to be selected by the Charlotte Hornets, which would make him the 14th Dominican player in the NBA.
Koby Brea, a Dominican-American from Washington Heights, is another representative of the Dominican Republic, playing for the prestigious University of Kentucky. Brea, who was recently named the Wildcats’ Defensive Player of the Year, ranks second in the NCAA with a 47.8% shooting percentage from three-point range. Last year, he led the team with an impressive 49%. Averaging 11.8 points per game, he remains one of Kentucky’s top shooters and has made a lasting impact during his five years with the team. Brea also played for the Dominican national U-17 team in the 2019 Centrobasket tournament, further demonstrating the growing influence of the country’s youth basketball programs.
Gerónimo Rubio De La Rosa, a 6’2″ guard from Santiago, has been a key player for Columbia Lions. With a 41.7% shooting percentage from beyond the arc, Rubio has been instrumental in his team’s success. Notably, he scored 27 points, including five three-pointers, in an 85-72 victory over Fairfield. He also led the Lions to a dominant win over New Hampshire, scoring 14 points. Known for his solid understanding of the game, Rubio contributed significantly to Columbia’s victory over Villanova and averaged 21 points in the team’s three wins.
Chris Mañón, a forward for Vanderbilt, made a name for himself after transferring from Cornell, where he played for three seasons. His quick adaptation to his new team has seen him become a vital part of the starting lineup, helping Vanderbilt reach the NCAA’s preliminary phase. Last week, he scored a season-high 16 points, underscoring his growing role on the team.
Meanwhile, Andersson García is making waves in his second year at Texas A&M University. Born in Moca, in the province of Espaillat, García has been a standout with 5.9 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 1.6 assists per game. He is part of the Minaya Sports Foundation (FDM Athletics), which has been helping talented players achieve their dreams of playing in the NBA for the past 16 years.
Lastly, Christian Fermín, a promising player for VCU, has been impressive in his sophomore year, averaging 5.2 points, 4 rebounds, and 21.4 minutes of play. As a strong defender, Fermín registered 55 blocks (1.4 per game), ranking ninth in the A-10 conference. His coach, Mike Rhoades, has praised his ability to protect the rim and anticipates that he will continue to evolve as a defender, particularly in pick-and-roll situations. On offense, Fermín’s 57% shooting accuracy from the field ranked him second in the conference, thanks to his efficiency around the basket.
Other Dominican players making headlines in US college basketball are:
Chad Baker-Mazara: A forward for the Auburn Tigers, Baker-Mazara has been instrumental in the team’s success. In the 2024–2025 season, he averaged 10.3 points and 3.8 rebounds per game. His performance contributed to Auburn’s SEC Basketball Tournament championship and their high seeding in the NCAA tournament.
Hansel Enmanuel: Playing as a guard for the Austin Peay Governors, Enmanuel has been a standout player. In the 2024–2025 season, he averaged 2.26 points, 2.48 rebounds, 0.65 assists, 0.87 steals, and 0.70 blocks per game.
Breylin Garcia: A forward for the USC Upstate Spartans, Garcia has made notable contributions. He averaged 8.09 points, 4.77 rebounds, 0.91 assists, 0.45 steals, and 0.32 blocks per game in the 2024–2025 season.
Read more:
El Dia
Real GM
Latin Times
18 March 2025