Francisco Cruz

Francisco "Pako" Javier Cruz Saldívar (born October 3, 1989) is a Mexican professional basketball player for Mersin MSK of the Basketbol Süper Ligi (BSL). He also represents the senior Mexico national basketball team. He played NCAA Division I college basketball at Wyoming. He is a 1.91 m tall shooting guard, that can also play as a small forward.

High school
Cruz attended and played basketball at Abraham Lincoln High School, in Denver, Colorado.

College career
After high school, Cruz played college basketball. He first played at Western Nebraska Community College (JUCO), from 2008 to 2010. He then transferred to Wyoming (NCAA Division I), where he played with the Wyoming Cowboys, from 2010 to 2012.

Professional career
Cruz began his pro career with the Mexican League club Halcones Rojos, in 2012. In 2015, he moved the Argentine League club Ciclista Olímpico. He then joined the Latvian club VEF Rīga, with which he played in the VTB United League.

In 2016, he joined the Spanish club Fuenlabrada, of the Liga ACB and European-wide 2nd-tier level EuroCup.

On 3 August 2019, he signed with Rytas Vilnius of the Lithuanian Basketball League.

On August 15, 2020, he has signed with Afyon Belediye of the Turkish Basketbol Süper Ligi.

On June 25, 2021, he has signed with Tofaş of the Basketbol Süper Ligi.

On January 27, 2024, he signed with Mersin MSK of the Türkiye Basketbol Ligi (BSL).

National team career
Cruz is a member of the senior Mexico national basketball team. With Mexico, he played at the 2014 FIBA World Cup, and at the 2015 FIBA Americas Championship. He also played at the 2016 Turin FIBA World Olympic Qualifying Tournament, and at the 2017 FIBA AmeriCup, where he won a bronze medal, and was named to the All-Tournament Team.