Honestly, if you haven’t been hanging around Upper Manhattan or keeping a weirdly close eye on the Ivy League lately, you might’ve missed one of the most efficient pure scorers in college basketball history. Geronimo Rubio de la Rosa isn't just a name that sounds like a movie protagonist. He's a 6-2 guard from Santiago, Dominican Republic, who basically walked into Levien Gymnasium and decided he owned the place for four straight years.
He recently wrapped up his time at Columbia University as a legend. Think about this: he finished 8th on the school's all-time scoring list with 1,414 points. That’s not easy to do in a conference known for defensive grinds and academic stress.
What Really Happened with Geronimo Rubio de la Rosa at Columbia
Most people see "Ivy League" and think of slow, methodical basketball. Geronimo was the opposite. He was a spark plug. From the moment he stepped on campus in 2021, he led the Lions in almost every category that mattered—points, assists, steals, you name it.
But the real story is his growth. A lot of guys come in hot and then plateau. Geronimo did the opposite; he got better every single winter. By his senior year (2024-25), he was averaging 17.0 points per game. He wasn't just volume-shooting, either. He was efficient. He hit a career-high 37 points against Stony Brook, which included nine three-pointers. Nine! That broke the gym record.
The Dominican Republic to New York Pipeline
It’s kinda wild to think about his journey. He grew up in Santiago playing a very isolation-heavy style of ball. It was all about the "me versus you" mentality. When he moved to the U.S. to play high school ball at Brookside Christian in California and later Spring Creek Academy in Texas, he had to relearn the game.
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He didn't even speak English when he first arrived. He used flashcards for words like "gymnasium" and "teammate." Imagine trying to run a complex college offense when you’re still translating the coach’s plays in your head.
- Born: August 26, 2001
- Hometown: Santiago, Dominican Republic
- College: Columbia (Class of 2025)
- Pro Status: Mexico City Capitanes (NBA G League)
Why the Pro Scouts Are Watching Him Now
After the 2025 NBA Draft, Geronimo went undrafted. That wasn't a huge surprise—Ivy League guards often have to prove it the hard way. But he didn't stay a free agent for long. The Mexico City Capitanes of the NBA G League snatched him up in October 2025.
It makes sense. The Capitanes are the G League's bridge to Latin America, and Geronimo is a hero back home. In his early appearances for the Capitanes, he’s been a rotation piece, still adjusting to the pro speed. He’s averaging about 3.8 points in limited minutes, but his shooting splits tell a story of a guy who just needs a longer leash. He’s already showing he can hit the pro three, which is the "make or break" skill for a 6-2 guard.
The Shooting Mechanics
If you watch his film, his release is quick. Like, blink-and-you-miss-it quick. He’s a career 84% free-throw shooter. That’s usually the best indicator of whether a college shooter will succeed in the pros.
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People always talk about his scoring, but his defense is underrated. He led the Ivy League in steals at various points. He has these "active hands" that coaches love. He’s not just a shooter; he’s a pest on the perimeter.
Sorting Fact from Fiction
There's a lot of chatter about whether he'll make an NBA roster. Let's be real: at 6-2 and 180 pounds, he’s small for a modern NBA shooting guard. He has to transition into a full-time point guard role to survive.
At Columbia, he was the primary option. In the G League, he’s a floor spacer. That’s a hard transition for a guy who’s used to having the ball 80% of the time. But honestly? He’s beaten the odds before. He went from not speaking English to being an Academic All-Ivy selection. You don't bet against that kind of discipline.
The Legacy of #15
Geronimo Rubio de la Rosa finished his college career ranking second all-time in program history for three-pointers made (230). He was a three-time Ivy League Player of the Week in his final season alone.
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He’s currently a "bridge" player. He’s bridging the gap between the Dominican style of play and the American professional system. Whether he stays in the G League, heads to Europe, or eventually gets an NBA call-up, he’s already one of the most successful international players to ever come out of the Ivy League.
If you’re looking to follow his progress, keep an eye on the G League box scores for Mexico City. He’s the type of player who can go for 20 points on any given night if the coach gives him the green light.
What to watch for next:
- Track his assist-to-turnover ratio in Mexico City. If it improves, his NBA stock rises.
- Look for him in the Dominican Republic National Team lineup for upcoming FIBA qualifiers.
- Watch his three-point volume; he needs to be taking (and making) at least 5-6 a game to get noticed by NBA scouts.
The kid from Santiago has a long way to go, but he's already further than anyone expected. It's been a fun ride to watch so far.