Rigoberto Mendoza (born 6 July 1992) is a Dominican professional basketball player for the Astros de Jalisco of the Liga Nacional de Baloncesto Profesional (LNBP). He is also signed with Santeros de Aguada of the Baloncesto Superior Nacional (BSN). He has played in Spain, Israel, Venezuela, and Mexico throughout his professional career.
Professional career Mendoza debuted in the Dominican league, where he played for Reales de La Vega.Rigoberto Mendoza conduce el triunfo de los Reales en LNB Persio Maldonado (El Nuevo Diario), 25 June 2015. Accessed 21 February 2020. Later, he further gained experience in Spanish, Puerto Rican and Argentine basketball.Rigoberto Mendoza, un MVP digno de Capitanes Andrés Flores (AS México), 6 July 2019. Accessed 21 February 2020.
He joined Capitanes de Ciudad de México of the Liga Nacional de Baloncesto Profesional for the 2017–2018 season, the first in franchise history. His impact was felt immediately as he averaged 15.7 points, as well as 2.8 assists per game. In his second season he stepped forward and improved in every aspect of the game, as his team's leader at the guard position. He maintained his 15 points and raised his assist average. He also stayed close to five rebounds per game. In 2018–19, Mendoza had a stellar season and helped his team achieve 27 victories. He eventually became league's Most Valuable Player, despite not leading any of the statistical sections of the LNBP. In the postseason, he led his team to the second final in team history.
Mendoza began the 2020–21 season with Dorados de Chihuahua, averaging 12 points and 4 assists per game. On November 17, 2020, Mendoza signed with Maccabi Haifa of the Israeli Basketball Premier League.
On November 5, 2021, Mendoza signed with the Mexico City Capitanes of the NBA G League.
On January 19, 2022, Mendoza signed with Real Estelí of the Liga Superior de Baloncesto.
On April 16, 2023, Mendoza signed with Piratas de La Guaira of the Superliga Profesional de Baloncesto.
On July 14, 2023, Mendoza signed with Monbus Obradoiro of the Spanish Liga ACB.
On January 13, 2025, Mendoza signed a one-year contract with Petro de Luanda, the defending champions of the Basketball Africa League (BAL) and the Angolan Basketball League.
National team Mendoza has played for the Dominican Republic national basketball team on many occasions. At the 2019 FIBA World Cup in China, he was one of the cornerstones of the team that surprisingly beat Germany and advanced to the second round instead of the heavily favored competitor. Mendoza won a gold medal with his national team at the 2023 Central American and Caribbean Games held in San Salvador, El Salvador.
References
External links Profile at RealGM.com Profile at 2019 Basketball World Cup Profile at Eurobasket.com