Jordi Fernández, head coach of the NBA’s Brooklyn Nets, was honored by his hometown of Badalona, Spain, with the city’s highest civic distinction during a ceremony held Sunday at the Zorrilla Theatre. Fernández was officially named an Adopted Son of Badalona, joining an exclusive group as only the fifth individual to receive the honor.
The recognition comes more than eight months after the Badalona City Council unanimously approved the award in November 2024, citing Fernández’s achievements in basketball and his role in raising the international profile of the city. Due to his NBA commitments, Fernández was unable to attend a previous tribute during the season, leading Mayor Xavier García Albiol to present him with a replica of the Venus of Badalona, a Roman marble sculpture associated with the city, along with an honorary necklace reserved for honorees. These were formally given to Fernández and his family at the recent event.
The ceremony also featured two screenings of “From Badalona to Brooklyn,” a documentary chronicling Fernández’s journey from his early years in the city to his current position in the NBA. One screening was open to the public, while the evening event allowed friends, family, and the local basketball community to celebrate alongside him.
Born on December 27, 1982, Fernández’s basketball roots run deep in Badalona, a city renowned for producing notable players and coaches such as Raúl López, Ricky Rubio, and Rudy Fernández. He began both playing and coaching basketball in Badalona before advancing to assistant coaching roles with NBA teams Cleveland Cavaliers, Denver Nuggets, and Sacramento Kings. Internationally, he has coached national teams including Spain, Nigeria, and Canada, guiding Canada to a bronze medal at the 2023 FIBA World Cup and leading the team at the 2024 Paris Olympics. In April 2024, Fernández made history as the first Spanish head coach in the NBA when Brooklyn hired him.
Brooklyn has recently demonstrated confidence in Fernández’s leadership by signing him and his entire coaching staff to multi-year contract extensions. His tenure has involved navigating a challenging rebuilding process featuring lineup instability, injuries, shifting between Brooklyn and Long Island, and managing the NBA’s youngest roster. Part of his mandate includes developing a team constructed around a record five first-round picks from the 2025 draft.
Despite a combined record of 46-118 during the demanding rebuild, Fernández has focused on building a resilient team culture, emphasizing player accountability and cohesion. The recent contract extensions underscore the Nets’ belief that his foundation will support the franchise’s transition to a competitive phase.
Reflecting on the honor, Fernández expressed deep gratitude, emphasizing the city’s enduring influence on his life and career. He highlighted Badalona’s status as a basketball hub and the fact that his parents and friends still reside there. Fernández said the award is meaningful not only to him but also to his family and the community that helped shape his path. While his coaching career spans multiple countries and teams, Fernández maintains that his connection to Badalona remains fundamental to his identity.