The late Cuban leader and revolutionary Fidel Castro was known for his socialist methods of ruling the country. But little does one know that Castro influenced the game of basketball.
So much so that he is credited with inventing one of the most iconic moves used in the game, the Euro Step. This invention was confirmed by famed revolutionary and guerilla leader Che Guevara and has since gone viral among NBA fans.
Micah Wimmer, an NBA fan and writer, talked in depth about Castro’s invention. He spoke with Castro’s brother and former President of Cuba, Raul Castro, as well as others who have a fair idea about how Fidel Castro invented the move.
In his frequent basketball matches, Fidel has started using a new move he simply calls ‘The Step.’ It is undeniably effective, yet is its goodness equally undeniable?
The journal entry by Che Guevara on 12th December 1962 reads
This quote confirms that Fidel Castro invented the Euro Step. But the fact that it was confirmed by Guevara has NBA fans reposting and sharing the viral tweet.
Word of Fidel Castro’s invention of the Euro Step spread through the world. Many people came back from Cuba armed with knowledge about the move, which made it highly effective. Since then, Elgin Baylor, Archie Clark, and Julius Erving have started using the move in the NBA. However, the move became extremely popular when European and Latin American players used it more often and effectively.
Later-generation players extensively used the Euro Step. Manu Ginobili, James Harden, Russell Westbrook, and Dwyane Wade have used the move to devastating effect. Although their use of the move varies from player to player, they have incorporated the Euro Step effectively.
Che Guevara’s confirmation of Fidel Castro inventing Euro Step goes viral with NBA fans
If anyone other than Fidel Castro or Che Guevara had invented the Euro Step, the world wouldn’t have bothered.
News that Fidel Castro invented the Euro Step has gone viral among NBA fans (image via Medium/X)But because it was the Cuban President who invented it and the invention was confirmed by Guevara in his journal, the news has gone viral among NBA fans. After all, one of basketball’s most famous moves has its roots in a human rights abuser.
The post has garnered 12 million views since going online. Such was the impact of the realization. Fans could not hold themselves back from giving their two cents.
Sharing a wide spectrum of reactions online, here’s what fans have to say:
Castro told Guevara “he can’t guard me.”
— $ir Auda¢ity 🦛 (@JoMarcusCrum) February 27, 2024
James Harden is a reactionary fascist confirmed
— P.B. Gomez (@NotoriousPBG) February 27, 2024
Che questioning Castro’s commitment to the Revolution because Castro kept embarrassing him with the same move on the Court is peak Leftism.
And I love it.
— DnDNoob (@DnDNoob1) February 27, 2024
The irony that 4 decades later an Argentine helped popularize it in the nba
— Caleb (@c_z_z_) February 27, 2024
So Ginobili got the sauce from Castro daaaang 😂
— JΔIЯΣ (@1J_AIR_CARDEN4) February 27, 2024
Raul Castro wanted his brother’s invention to be called the Cuban Step. But as politics goes, the NBA will not want to associate with that name considering their country’s history with Cuba. But NBA fans never envisioned Fidel Castro inventing one of basketball’s most famous moves.
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