Yunio Barrueta, a Cuban basketball player born in Cienfuegos in 1993, emerged as the hero for Leyma Básquet Coruña by executing a remarkable 3+1 offensive play (three-pointer plus a free throw) that led them to a thrilling victory over Real Madrid (86-85) in Spain's Liga Endesa (ACB). The game reached its climax in the final moments when Barrueta, exhibiting nerves of steel and a hunger for victory, sank the game-winning three-pointer along with an additional free throw, clinching the win with just two seconds remaining on the clock.
The athlete, who has lived in the United States since he was five, left Real Madrid's fans in shock and secured his place in the headlines of sports media. This milestone not only marked a pivotal moment for his team, making their debut in the Spanish league, but also signaled a turning point in Barrueta's career, establishing him as a rising star in European basketball.
Coruña has widely celebrated the triumph, with Barrueta now being hailed as a local hero, while his achievement continues to spark reactions across the basketball community. According to La Voz de Galicia, Barrueta left Cuba with his parents, heading to Miami where he grew up and began his career on the courts. After three years at Barry University, he journeyed through European basketball with stints in Belgium, Israel, and France before currently playing in Spain.