León Najnudel

León David Najnudel (14 July 1941 – 22 April 1998) was an Argentine professional basketball player and basketball coach, and the main driving force in the creation of the Liga Nacional de Básquet, the first nationwide yearly professional basketball league in Argentina.

Playing career
Najnudel played for Villa Crespo, Victoria, Barracas Juniors and Atlanta.

Coaching career

 * Atlanta: 1963–1971
 * Corrientes Province youth team: 1971–1975
 * Ferro Carril Oeste: 1976–1982
 * CB Zaragoza (Spain): 1983–1984
 * Argentina national basketball team: 1985
 * Sport Club Cañadense: 1986–1988
 * Ferro Carril Oeste: 1988–1990
 * Deportivo San Andrés: 1991
 * Gimnasia y Esgrima de Comodoro Rivadavia: 1992–1993
 * Boca Juniors: 1994–1995
 * Racing Club: 1995
 * Ferro Carril Oeste: 1996

Honours

 * Ferro Carril Oeste
 * Campeonato Sudamericano de Clubes: 1981, 1982
 * Liga Nacional de Básquet: 1989
 * CB Zaragoza
 * Copa del Rey de Baloncesto: 1983

Stats

 * League games: 448 games with 241 wins and 207 losses. (53,80%)
 * Regular Series: 388 games with 207 wins and 181 losses. (53.35%)
 * Post-Season: 60 games with 34 wins and 26 losses. (56.66%)

Liga Nacional de Básquet
Najnudel, along coaches José María Cavallero and Horacio Seguí, as well as journalist Osvaldo Ricardo Orcasitas, were the main proponents of the creation of the Liga Nacional de Básquet. The goal was finally achieved on 26 April 1985, when the first game of the league was played.

The new nationwide league allowed basketball to grow in cities other than Buenos Aires, like in Bahía Blanca and Córdoba, that became important basketball centers.

Death
Najnudel died of leukemia in 1998.