The late bloomer who became a EuroLeague defensive powerhouse
In short: Edy Tavares did not even pick up a basketball until he was 17 years old. Discovered by a passing tourist on the island of Maio, the Cape Verdean giant has since become a physical phenomenon, dominating the EuroLeague as its all-time leader in both rebounds and blocks.
Born on the island of Maio, Tavares spent his childhood working as a cashier in his grandmother's shop and playing beach football. His path to professional basketball was unconventional; he only began training in 2009 after a German tourist introduced him to Raúl Rodriguez, a director at the Gran Canaria youth academy. At the time of his first training session, the 7 ft 1 in (2.16 m) prospect was already showing the immense physical potential that would define his career.
After a stint in the NBA with the Atlanta Hawks and the Cleveland Cavaliers, Tavares found his true stardom in Spain with Real Madrid. Since signing with the club in 2017, he has secured two EuroLeague titles and earned six All-EuroLeague Team selections. His dominance is reflected in his statistical records, as he currently holds the EuroLeague's all-time titles for both blocks and rebounds, establishing himself as one of the most significant defensive forces in European basketball history.
Beyond his club success, Tavares has been a transformative figure for the Cape Verde national team. He helped guide the nation to its first-ever World Cup in 2023, making Cape Verde the smallest nation to ever qualify for the tournament. His impact on the court is often visceral, such as during the 2021 AfroBasket when he shattered a backboard during a game-tying dunk against Angola, a moment that underscored his immense physical presence on the international stage.
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