Santos del Potosí
Mexican professional basketball team with two national titles.
The Santos del Potosí (San Luis Saints) are a professional basketball team from San Luis Potosí City, competing in Mexico’s top league, the Liga Nacional de Baloncesto Profesional (LNBP). The club was founded in 1975 by local entrepreneurs aiming to join the Circuito Mexicano de Básquetbol (CIMEBA) and become a national powerhouse. After a rocky start, they found a winning formula and consistently ranked among CIMEBA’s best. Their first national title came in the 1980 season, followed by a second in 1980—after which three players were selected for the national team—and a third in 1997–1998. Their greatest achievement occurred in 2004, now in the LNBP, when they reached the finals but fell to Halcones UV Xalapa. That same year, in a memorable away game, Los Santos Reales beat Fuerza Regia de Monterrey 95–84. Financial troubles forced the team out of professional competition in 2009. In 2015, with new management and funding, they returned to the LNBP for the 2015–2016 season under the name C.B. Santos San Luis. The team sat out the 2020 season due to empty arenas caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, hoping to return the following year. However, they have been inactive since 2009 and did not return in 2023. Home games are played at Auditorio Miguel Barragán in San Luis Potosí City, which seats 3,400 spectators.
- founded
- 1975
- location
- San Luis Potosi City
- league
- Liga Nacional de Baloncesto Profesional (LNBP)
- national championships
- 2 (1980, 1997-1998)
- LNBP championship
- None
- home arena
- Auditorio Miguel Barragán (capacity 3,400)
Quick Facts
- Color1
- White
- Color2
- Green
- Color3
- Gold
- Conference
- West Zone
- Founded
- 1969 - 1969 · 01 · 1 years
- History
- Santos de San Luis / 1969 – 2003 / Santos Reales de San Luis / 2003 – 2009 / C.B. Santos San Luis / 2015–2019 / Santos del Potosí / 2023–
- Arena
- Auditorio Miguel Barragán
- Location
- San Luis Potosí City, San Luis Potosí, Mexico
- President
- Juan Carlos Jiménez Rivera
- Coach
- Manolo Cintrón
- Affiliation
- LNBP
- League Champs
- CIMEBA: 3 (1971-1972), (1980), (1997-1998) / LNBP: 1 (2004)
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
The Santos del Potosí began in 1975 when entrepreneurs from San Luis Potosí created a professional basketball team to participate in the Circuito Mexicano de Básquetbol (CIMEBA). After a shaky start, the team found a winning strategy and soon became among the best in CIMEBA, winning its first national championship in the 1980 season. A second championship followed in 1980, after which three players were selected for the national team, and a third came in the 1997-1998 season.
The team's most important achievement occurred in 2004, now playing in the LNBP, when they reached the finals but were defeated by Halcones UV Xalapa. That same year, in a memorable away match, Los Santos Reales beat Fuerza Regia de Monterrey 95-84. In 2009, due to economic issues, the team left all professional competition. It returned in 2015 under new administration and financial support, playing as C.B. Santos San Luis. The team sat out the 2020 LNBP season due to the COVID-19 pandemic and has been inactive since 2009, not returning in 2023.
Reader's Guide
The Santos del Potosí represent a significant presence in Mexican professional basketball, having competed in both the CIMEBA and LNBP leagues since their founding in 1969. Their four national championships—three in CIMEBA and one in the LNBP—demonstrate sustained success over decades. The 2004 LNBP title, won against Halcones UV Xalapa, stands as the franchise's most notable achievement. The team's history includes periods of absence due to economic hardship and the COVID-19 pandemic, but each time it has returned to competition under new names and management. The 2004 exhibition match against a Fuerza Regia de Monterrey team featuring Dennis Rodman highlights the team's involvement in notable events. The Santos del Potosí continue to play at the Auditorio Miguel Barragán, a 3,400-seat indoor venue in San Luis Potosi City, and remain a fixture in the LNBP.
Did You Know?
- The team won its first national championship in the 1980 season.
- After the 1980 championship, three players were selected for the national team.
- In 2004, the team reached the LNBP finals but lost to Halcones UV Xalapa.
- Dennis Rodman never played for Fuerza Regia de Monterrey.
More in Basketball teams in Mexico 1-24
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