Tribute to the Champs: Sergio Rodriguez

There's a famous saying about how certain things age like fine wine. That can certainly be applied to Sergio "Chacho" Rodriguez, who, at the age of 36, played the role of conductor as Real Madrid became the 2023 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague champion. The legendary point guard not only orchestrated Real's offense but he also stepped up with points at crucial moments, particularly in the playoffs and at the Final Four. When the business end of the campaign arrived, Chacho was ready.

While his regular-season statistics are not much to marvel at, with averages of 4.2 points, 1.5 rebounds, 4.2 assists and a 5.9 PIR across 33 appearances, most of which were from the bench, Rodriguez went up a gear in the postseason. He had a slow start in the first three games of Real's playoff series against Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade, but 'Chachismo' came into full effect in Games 4 and 5. First, he paired 8 points with 7 assists as Real won in Belgrade to force a Game 5. Then, Rodriguez scored a season-high 19 points – 13 of which came in the fourth quarter – and provided 6 assists as Los Blancos secured their place at the Final Four.

Chacho continued to do his thing in Kaunas, scoring 12 points, dishing 5 assists and recording 2 steals as Real defeated archrival FC Barcelona 66-78 in the semifinals. With Los Blancos looking to end their five-year wait to lift the EuroLeague title once again, Rodriguez stepped up to the plate in the championship game with 15 points, 4 rebounds, 9 assists and 1 steal in an incredibly complete performance as Real beat Olympiacos 78-79.

Together with fellow veterans Rudy Fernandez and Sergio Llull, with whom Rodriguez became a EuroLeague champion for the first time in 2015, the playmaker can look back on the 2022-23 season as one in which age proved to be nothing but a number. Rodriguez, now a three-time champ having also won in 2019 with CSKA Moscow, provided many Magic Moments during the campaign with his incredible passing and here's hoping that we'll see just as many highlight-worthy plays from Chacho next season.