SAN ANTONIO — At 47 years old and well into life after basketball, San Antonio Spurs' Manu Ginobili and his teammates from the "Golden Generation" of Argentina basketball returned to the court for one last run in Buenos Aries, Argentina.
Ginobili joined his former teammates Luis Scola, Carlos Delfino, ex-Spur Fabricio Oberto, Andrew Nocioni, and the rest of that formidable Argentina team for one last run on the court to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the team's gold medal win in Athens.
“We wanted to do something special to celebrate,” Ginobili said via BeInSports. “We haven’t all been together, the twelve of us, since winning the gold. In 20 years and two months, we’ve never been in the same place."
Argentina shocked the world by being the first team to beat Team USA in 2004 en route to the gold medal.
“It was epic,” Ginobili said. “It’s the most important thing we achieved professionally. Nothing tops that.”
During the game, Ginobili showed no signs of rust or weary legs as he caught a pass for a dunk!
“They convinced us to play again,” said Ginobili. “Who would want to see us play? Twelve old guys who can barely move and don’t play basketball anymore."
Ginobili shared his excitement on social media leading up to the game.
"It's fabulous, almost unbelievable, that this actually happened to us! Goosebumps watching pictures 20 years later," he shared.
He was even elated to see his former teammates, and he started to kiss them on their heads.
Indeed, it was a magical night on the basketball court for Ginobili, the team, and the fans who have loved them until today.
And Manu felt all the love from his home country.
“You realize it’s more a gesture of appreciation, respect for our careers, and the joy we brought to the country. We’re happy to do it.”