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Sunday’s face-off between the Orlando Magic and New Orleans Hornets marked the 20th exhibition game to be played in Mexico, the most of any country outside the United States or Canada, and the first such game at the brand new Mexico City Arena. The NBA already has concrete plans to expand its Mexican footprint. “Next year and the year after that there will be regular season games here, which is really huge,” said Cedric Ceballos, a former NBA player turned league ambassador. “Those two years are the big test to see what happens.” Gulf News

Mexico, Cedric Ceballos 

Given the proximity to the United States, Ceballos said a future franchise in Mexico City would be a natural fit. “Now that there’s a building that can house an NBA team, where we can play regular season games, it’s a natural place to be thinking about it,” said Moggio. Gulf News

Mexico, Cedric Ceballos 

Phoenix's Kenny Dobbs won the Sprite Slam Dunk Showdown today with a dunk that was a nod to the blindfolded dunk Cedric Ceballos made 20 years ago to win the NBA Slam Dunk Contest. Ceballos was on hand today for the contest in Orlando, where his dunk victory also was held. Arizona Republic

Phoenix Suns, Cedric Ceballos 

Cedric Ceballos felt like his jersey was grabbing his chest and his mouth was turning dry. He left the game confused about the feeling but re-entered, only to feel it all again and exit wondering if he just was feeling the burn of playing hard. "I was thinking about Hank Gathers," Ceballos said of the Nov. 27 ABA game. "That's where he lost his life on the court. I was like, 'I can't lose my life at Phoenix College.' I didn't think it was my heart. I just thought I was tired. I didn't have a clue." Arizona Republic

Phoenix Suns, Cedric Ceballos 

Ceballos, 42, had been playing a game for the Scorpions team that he partially owns on a Sunday afternoon before a sparse crowd. He did know something was amiss and made a Monday doctor's appointment and called his mother, who recommended he take aspirin. The discomfort never ceased. "I didn't feel right going to sleep and that's what saved me," Ceballos said. "I didn't go to sleep. Most people play through it, like Armen (Gilliam) did and Pistol Pete (Maravich) and Hank Gathers. They play through that fatigue or whatever is going on. I was maybe a little different from them. Some people go to sleep and never wake up." Arizona Republic

Phoenix Suns, Cedric Ceballos 

Former Suns standout Cedric Ceballos underwent minor surgeries Monday and Tuesday to remove a blood clot in a coronary artery but "came through with flying colors," his publicist Crystal Guy said. Ceballos, 42, is recovering at Paradise Valley Hospital and doctors expect that he will be able to return to a normal lifestyle, she said. Arizona Republic

Phoenix Suns, Cedric Ceballos 

Cedric Ceballos, former NBA player and part owner of the Arizona Scorpions ABA basketball team, suffered what was described in a press release as a series of small heart attacks on Sunday. He has been hospitalized and released the following statement: "I feel blessed and very fortunate to be here today and to have made the decision to go to the hospital and get my symptoms checked out late last night. I ask everyone to keep me in your prayers as I make my journey back to good health. Thank everyone who has called and is concerned. While I want to respond and speak to everyone, I cannot right now, but will be in touch very soon. God bless you." SB Nation

Cedric Ceballos 

People rarely get second chances at missed opportunities. However, Suns in-arena MC Cedric Ceballos is the exception. When he was approached a few years ago by an ownership group to invest in an American Basketball Association (ABA) team in Phoenix, Ceballos declined. But when co-owner Ron Tilley recently re-approached Ceballos with an offer to buy into the ABA’s Arizona Scorpions, the former slam dunk champ didn’t pass it up. “I should’ve done it (a few years ago) just so I could’ve learned a little bit more,” Ceballos said. “After talking to and learning from (Suns President and CEO) Rick Welts, he encouraged me by saying that I should go and learn and get as much knowledge as I could.” NBA.com

Cedric Ceballos 

Tilley, who was the head coach of the team that Ceballos declined investing in a few years ago, was the point-person for Ceballos with this current offer. “He knew that I was trying to get involved on the ownership side,” Ceballos said. “When an opportunity opened up, I was one of the first people he called. And I jumped at it.” NBA.com

Cedric Ceballos 

Ceballos is hoping that his upcoming experience in the ABA could provide him with an opportunity in the front office of an NBA team. “Obviously, it’s not the level of the NBA,” he said. “But I’m at the top of the decision making, so hopefully it will prepare me for another job, another opportunity or if something should open up with the Suns.” NBA.com

Cedric Ceballos