Career: Estudiantes Bahia Blanca (Argentina-Liga Nacional, 1996-98), Reggio Calabria (Italy-A2, 1998-99), Reggio Calabria (Italy-A1, 1999-2000), Kinder Bologna (Italy-A1, 2000-02), San Antonio Spurs (USA-NBA, 2002-06).

After a perfect ending on June 24th 2005, two-time NBA champion Manu Ginobili probably didn't expect the following season to be this way. "El Manu" experienced a series of injuries (foot, ankle and calf) that forced him to miss 17 regular season games. A player that needs to be near 100 percent fit to play his kind of game, Ginobili never was able to bring the fire to San Antonio the way he had done the past three seasons.

The Bahia Blanca native is unique when he can drive with abandon and over-extend on to change the pace of the game. Bothered by fatigue and lingering injuries since he joined the league some four years ago, Ginobili needed some rest. He got some during the 2005 summer and then after the Spurs were ousted by the Mavericks in the playoffs this year. But will it be enough for Ginobili to become "Gi-no-bli" again, like former player and TV analyst Charles Barkley likes to shout every time he can refer to his favourite player?