Francisco Garcia
From Hoopedia
Francisco García (born December 31, 1981, in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic) is a Dominican professional basketball player who currently plays for the Sacramento Kings of the NBA. A 6'7", 195 lbs. guard-forward from the University of Louisville, García was selected by the Kings in the 1st round (23rd overall) of the 2005 NBA Draft. He now plays a variety of positions for the Kings and mostly comes off the bench as a small forward behind Ron Artest.
As a college basketball player at Louisville under coach Rick Pitino he enjoyed great success along with future NBA player Reece Gaines. He averaged 15.7 points per game as a junior and, along with teammate and best friend Taquan Dean, led his 4th seeded team to the 2005 Final Four in St. Louis, Missouri. Foregoing his senior seasion, García decided to "go pro" and enter the ranks of the NBA. In his rookie season for the Kings, García appeared in 67 games (11 starts) and averaged 5.6 points per game.
Personal
García is the only Dominican-born player in the NBA. He moved to Bronx, New York when he was a sophomore in high school with his mother Miguelina Garcia and younger brother. García gained national attention in December 2003 when his 19-year old younger brother Hector was shot to death in an apartment complex in the Bronx. The night after the shooting, García suited up for Louisville and scored 24 points versus Seton Hall. After the game, he then flew home to attend the funeral.
In memory of his brother each time he steps on the basketball court, García taps his heart twice and then points to the sky in between his foul shots.
