When we talk about Black excellence in sports, we have to put some respect on our Afro-Latinx athletes. In the 2025 MLB season, roughly 25% of active players hail from Latin American countries. That’s more than 228 of the 904 men taking the field, making Major League Baseball the most Latino-represented of the big four U.S. leagues. In comparison, the NBA’s locker rooms showed only 2.2% Latino representation as of 2023, according to the Latin Times — despite basketball’s global reach. The NFL reported just about 20 Latino players in 2022, which is still under 1% of nearly 1,700 athletes, according to 12 News.
“Latinx” is a gender‐neutral alternative to Latino or Latina, according to the Pew Research Center. By swapping the “o” or “a” ending for an “x,” the term embraces people across the gender spectrum — cis, trans, nonbinary, and beyond. It creates one inclusive banner. The “x” also signals a break from colonial language traditions and centers equity in communities with roots across Latin America and the Caribbean. For many young Afro-Latinx athletes, using the “x” affirms both cultural pride and the freedom to define themselves on their own terms.
That same spirit of self-definition shows up in their game. From the track to the ring, these athletes have been breaking records and barriers. Here’s a roundup of Afro-Latinx athletes you need to know, because they’re not just showing up — they’re dominating.
Francisco Lindor
Born and raised in Bayamón, Puerto Rico, Francisco Lindor burst onto the MLB scene in 2015 with the Cleveland Indians. A four-time All-Star by age 27, he earned two Gold Gloves at shortstop and finished top five in MVP voting in 2019. In December 2023, Lindor inked a landmark 10-year deal with the New York Mets, aiming to bring his high-energy style to Citi Field. Lindor also runs youth clinics back home in Puerto Rico.
Karl‑Anthony Towns
Karl‑Anthony Towns was born in New Jersey to a Dominican mother and American dad. Drafted first overall by the Minnesota Timberwolves in 2015, Towns quickly proved he was more than a big man — averaging 24 points and nine rebounds by his third season and earning Rookie of the Year honors. Off the court, Towns launched the “Towns Family Foundation,” supporting families affected by natural disasters in the Dominican Republic.
Al Horford
Dominican Republic native Al Horford paved the way for islanders in the NBA when he joined the Atlanta Hawks as the third pick in the 2007 draft. Over a 15‑year career, he’s suited up for five teams, became a five‑time All‑Star and won back‑to‑back titles in 2018 as Boston’s defensive anchor.
Jasmine Camacho‑Quinn
At just 25, Jasmine Camacho‑Quinn became Puerto Rico’s first Olympic track champion when she won 100-meter hurdles gold at Tokyo 2020. Born in South Carolina to a Puerto Rican mother, she reps her Afro‑Latinx heritage proudly. “You will always be who you are, and no one can change that, literally no one,” Camacho-Quinn told Diario AS. “You have the right to represent both sides because they are part of who you are and what you are made of.”
These five athletes showcase the range of Afro Latinx excellence — from MLB diamonds and NBA courts to Olympic tracks. They are racking up stats and hardware, while also raising the bar for the next generation, proving that representation isn’t just a number in a stat chart.
