Nate Santos, a 6′7″ forward, may play for Los Leones de Ponce in the 2027 Baloncesto Superior Nacional (BSN) season, but his arrival depends on the NBA. Santos, 24, was acquired by Ponce from the Piratas de Quebradillas in a trade last month, with Jordan Murphy going to Quebradillas. Gerardo 'Jerry' Misla, who runs the Ponce franchise, said the team has the rights to Santos, but his availability for the 2027 season will depend on the NBA.
Santos has played in the NBA’s G-League with the Iowa Wolves and in the NBA Summer League with the Minnesota Timberwolves. He averaged 10.5 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 1.2 assists per game in the G-League and 13.4 points and 3.4 rebounds in the Summer League. The acquisition of Santos is part of Ponce’s restructuring after being eliminated in the Conference B final against the Santeros de Aguada.
Murphy, who played for Ponce for four seasons, was a key player, but his time with the team was marked by injuries and a suspension due to doping. Misla said the decision to trade Murphy was not easy, but both the team and the player needed a change.