Juan Báez (April 14, 1935 – January 26, 2022), also known as "Johnny" and "El Indio de la Vía", was a Puerto Rican basketball player.
It was in Modelo School where he would learn to play basketball under the guidance of his physical education teacher Lilliam Colberg.
While playing in Spain, he caught the eye of a young royal whose grandfather was the owner of the Real Madrid team.
In the tournament which included American basketball stars Oscar Robertson and Jerry West, Báez was the top scorer.
[1][2][3][4] On January 20, 2007, several top International Basketball Federation (FIBA) officials traveled to the island to honor Báez.
A high-profile ceremony ensued, attended by the likes of the Mayor of San Juan Jorge Santini, Puerto Rico Senate President Kenneth McClintock, Puerto Rico Olympic Committee President Hector Cardona, PR Sports and Recreation Secretary David "Kike" Bernier.