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She maintains the slenderness and vitality of days gone by. Chatty and pleasant, she still doesn’t enjoy interviews; however, this time she didn’t hesitate, and it turned out to be about 20 minutes of quick questions and answers, like a fast-paced game of chess. Her kind face smiles, and we begin to talk fluently.
Doña Leonor, how did you find out? When you learned about it, what did you do... did you jump, cry, laugh?
It is true that I found out at the end of last year, but the call today (January 16) from the FIBA headquarters confirmed it for me. Now I could shout it from the rooftops: I am part of the Hall of Fame; I am among the best players in the entire world! So far, only Ruperto Herrera had achieved this. For me, it is a tremendous honor, an indescribable reward for so many years of sacrifices, competitions, injuries; so many hours without rest to train, so many universal podiums occupied. I am very happy, my friend!
The gala will take place on May 17 in Bahrain; along with Mrs. Leonor, seven other athletes and a coach will be honored: the Spanish legend Pau Gasol; the multi-champion Dawn Staley from the United States; Andrew Bogut from Australia; the Portuguese Ticha Penicheiro; Alphonse Bilé from Ivory Coast; Fadi El Khatib from Lebanon; the Serbian (competing for former Yugoslavia) Ratko Radovanovic; and the incredible American coach Mike Krzyzewski, all included in the list of nine in the 2025 Class of the FIBA Hall of Fame.
As can be seen, Mrs. Leonor has been recognized among the legends of universal basketball and rightfully will occupy a place in the FIBA Hall of Fame, which is notably the sanctuary dedicated to the incredible individuals who have laid the foundations of the global sport of basketball from its inception to the glory it has achieved today.
The Hall of Fame strives to be a genuinely international institution, actively promoting and commemorating basketball around the world, hosting the great men and women who were proactive and prominent in the advancement and development of the sport of basketball. The Cuban is in that Olympus!
Since when have you been in the U.S., how did you get here, what are you doing at the moment?
I have been here since July 2016, having entered through Mexico. This great country teaches you many things; here you can improve if you set your mind to it. We, who were athletes in Cuba and have discipline, are clear about what needs to be done. That has helped me a lot to understand how things are here. Fortunately, I have always had the support of my brother, who has been here for more than 25 years and has guided me every step of the way.
I have worked in various jobs; now I am a security guard in a condominium, and I feel very good. I am recognized, and people respect me. I have been working here in the United States for nine years, and I have always had a job; I am proud of that. I don't feel less than anyone; I am strong, and above all, I keep moving forward supporting my daughter. Thanks to God, I have good health and I feel blessed.
"Have you never regretted it? Do you miss Cuba?"
Regret? Hahaha... That word is not in my vocabulary... Never, ever! I even regret negative things, let alone this one, which has provided me with a decent and comfortable life. Challenges help you, teach you, make you grow, and give you strength... So no, I don't regret anything!
I remember one afternoon, as I was leaving the ICRT, seeing a slender mulatta selling croquettes and pastries. I approached her because I was hungry, and to my surprise, I found the best Cuban basketball player of all time, the one who packed the courts, the one beloved by fans... selling croquettes! That, of course, is not offensive at all, but in your case, you should have held a high position within Cuban sports instead of being in such a role.
Those pastries and croquettes opened my eyes to many things: the reality you don’t see when you’re in sports. I saw things, I heard things. I prepared myself and tried to start my own business in Cuba, then at the fair on 23rd Street, which gave me the experience to face many challenges. All of that wasn’t in vain; it served as a foundation for me to get here, with the desire to improve, to live, to move forward, always supporting Denisse, my daughter, who studies and works thanks to the education I provided her.
Denisse is very determined, she is my pride, she knows what she wants. Also, thank God, I have Lázaro, the “Virtuoso” Borrell, remember? He's an amazing basketball player, in fact, he played in the NBA. My brother is my pride; he has always supported me. He has taken the Hall of Fame situation as if he were the one being selected. That fills me with pride. He has also achieved many honors in sports; reaching the NBA is an immense accomplishment for him and his family.
Do you like NBA basketball? It's not the same as the one you played, is it?
American basketball has always been a spectacle, and that's the way it is. I've seen two NBA games here in Miami, and it's enjoyable, but it's more of a show than actual basketball; it's a very different kind of game. I can't tell you much about it because I don't know—why would I lie to you?
I have talked to my brother about this topic, and he always tells me, “Leo, it’s a different kind of basketball.” He had the opportunity to play there, and he says so. Here, people play for money; everything is mechanical, it’s their profession, and I don’t criticize that. I see it quite well in this very capitalistic country, but I can’t tell you much more than what I have heard and experienced.
Here, people enjoy that type of basketball; they live for that spectacle. It can't be compared to other leagues and places because it's very different. I love the NBA, and I've watched women's games, but they are nothing like the basketball we played in our time, and it's different from the golden era of basketball.
What can you tell me about that golden era?
Thank God, I always say it: we are living the best era of sports in Cuba! Because after I gave birth, I dedicated myself to raising my daughter; then, my brother left. I started to see how, not only basketball but sports in general in Cuba were declining. Well, I would say it has occurred in all areas of sports, culture, and the economy... the decline is widespread, it's at the national level! We no longer even need to mention it; it's evident: Cuba is going downhill, and regarding sports, I believe that if strong work isn't done from the grassroots, nothing good will be achieved.
"And what foundation, with what? We need to create many conditions that have been lost, we need to recover values, we have to do a lot. And what can I tell you about Cerro Pelado? I can't say anything. The last time I went to Cerro Pelado, over 11 years ago, I stood at the door and thought that the wooden floor was going to collapse."
I was training with Leonardo Pérez and I said to him, "What is this?". So I decided not to go anymore. I have no idea how things are now, but I think people practicing the sport in Cuba have to put in a great effort; we were already making an effort and had some "conditions."
Julita, right now, Cuba is in a very difficult situation, and as a result, everything else is also going poorly. I'm not aware of everything happening in Cuba, only some things, but to be honest, I prefer it this way because it makes me sad. The topic is a bit complicated.
From your words, the answer to the following question can be inferred: why the exodus?
The exodus is not just of athletes; it includes doctors, engineers, journalists... everyone is leaving, everyone who can! This is palpable, it's visible. I don't have exact data, but you can see that many people are leaving Cuba every day. It has been like a stampede due to the critical situation the country is experiencing.
It has become quite natural for people to leave Cuba; every young person wants to leave the country, and destinations like the United States, Europe, and Africa appeal to them, regardless of the continent or country. People just want to leave because they need to live like human beings, they want to provide a better future for their children, and to feel relief. Life in Cuba is very difficult.
The times I have visited, I no longer see the neighbor next door or the one across the street; they have all left, especially the young people. I don't know the statistics, but I believe Cuba has become a country of older people; the population has aged, and, well, what is happening in Cuba is very evident, visible to the world. We all know what’s going on on the Island.
In my opinion, Cuba is in a very bad situation from a social, political, and economic perspective. I don't have the means to conduct a deep analysis of these issues; there are specialists for that, and I am an athlete. However, I have a perspective as a citizen, and I thank God every day for having opened my eyes and for finally making the decision to leave and settle here.
I have made two significant decisions in my life: one, to stop going to the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta to have my daughter, and it has been the best; and the other, to come to this country, no longer so young, but I have no regrets. Never, never, neverrrr! I will regret being here, so many blessings and thank you very much, Julita, for allowing me to say this.
Doña Leonor, I know that this recognition from FIBA, granting you your well-deserved place in the Hall of Fame, fills you with pride and makes you think of those you wish could have shared this joy with you.
Of course, my friend, and you know it very well. My parents, who have always supported Lázaro and me, and my coach Manuel Pérez, “El Gallego”, whom I know would have been just as happy as I am. He was a father, a coach, a mentor to me. I have mentioned it in several places; he would be very proud of this award and would enjoy it just as much, if not more, than I do.
I always keep that in mind. I had the opportunity to spend time with him many times here, and he has been an exceptional man. I have countless stories with him: during the 1986 World Cup, where I was the top scorer. After that, while we were both here in the United States, he told me something I didn't know.
It turns out we lost a game because I missed a shot. Bárbara Becker passed me the ball, and I couldn’t make the basket. I grabbed the rebound, took a rushed shot, and nothing—I couldn’t score. He walked all the way from the court to the hotel where we were staying. When he got to the hotel, I was lying on the bed; he came over and said to me, “Hey, have a beer.”
He was upset, but he didn't make me feel bad; on the contrary. I have thousands of anecdotes like that: he always knew the right moment to get your attention and how to say things to you, without rudeness, without bad manners, or anything. He was very demanding, but he was a special person, and as a coach, I have no words. I believe that if there is another Cuban who deserves to be in the Hall of Fame, it is Manuel Pérez. His results, those of women's basketball over all those years when Cuba ranked among the best in the world, speak for themselves. Wherever he is, I hope he enjoys this award and feels proud, not of me, but of all his athletes.
Enjoy your award, Mrs. Leonor Borrell, well-deserved and shared with the great players of your time and with the exceptional father of that team, Manuel “El Gallego” Pérez!
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