Cariduros de Fajardo were a professional basketball team of the Baloncesto Superior Nacional (BSN), founded in 1973. Based in Fajardo, Puerto Rico, the team played at the Tomás Dones Coliseum, and contested the BSN, the top division of basketball in Puerto Rico.
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History
The team was founded in 1973 and participated in the Baloncesto Superior Nacional before folding in 1998 due to financial issues. The original franchise featured notable players such as Georgie Torres, Edgar León, Wilson Oquendo, Oscar Fuentes and Daniel Vasallo, as well as coach Julio Toro. The team played at the Evaristo Aponte Sanabria court before moving to the Tomas Dones Coliseum in 1992. Their best season was that same year, when they reached the semifinals for the first time in franchise history before being swept by the eventual finals runners-up, Capitanes de Arecibo. In 1996, Fajardo added rookie Carlos Arroyo, who became a fan favorite before being traded to Santurce. The team folded in 1998.
In 2007, the Titanes de Morovis and owner Marcelino Garcia relocated to Fajardo where the team was renamed Nietos de Marcelino. Taking advantage of a new rule that allowed grandsons of Puerto Ricans to enter the draft, Fajardo drafted Javier Mojica, Jesse Pellot-Rosa and Kevin Hamilton, as well as import player Uka Agbai. With a roster of young players, the team finished in 1st place during the regular season, and then went on to lose against the eventual 2007 champions, Cangrejeros de Santurce, in the semifinals. The team again faced financial issues the following year and dissolved after three years of inactivity, but individual players would go on to see success: Javier Mojica won a championship with Bayamón, Kevin Hamilton won a championship with Mayagüez and Jesse Pellot-Rosa was named league MVP with San Germán.
On January 14, 2017, the team was re-founded for the 2017 season with the purchase of the Atenienses de Manatí franchise by former NBA player Carlos Arroyo and later relocation to his hometown in Fajardo, Puerto Rico.
In May 2021, the team was sold and converted to the Gigantes de Carolina. The following month, the Santeros de Aguada were relocated to Fajardo, where they again play as the Cariduros de Fajardo.
In December 2023, it was announced that the team will be relocated back to Aguada and be known by their former name Santeros de Aguada.
Home arenas
Evaristo Aponte Sanabria Coliseum (1973–1992)
Tomás Dones Coliseum (1993–1998; 2007-2008; 2017-2020; 2021-2023)
Notable players
John Holland
Edgar Leon
Carlos Arroyo
Georgie Torres