LAREDO, Texas (Dec. 11, 2025) — Texas A&M International University men's basketball alumnus Esteban Roacho made his first start in the professional ranks, playing with the NBA G League's Mexico City Capitanes after a standout two-season career with the Dustdevils.

Roacho appeared in 40 games, earning 36 starts while averaging 25.1 minutes per contest. A reliable and efficient contributor on both ends of the floor, he shot 44.3% from the field, 44.0% from three-point range, and 81.7% at the free-throw line, totaling 345 points in his TAMIU career. He added 172 rebounds, 75 assists, 39 steals, and 5 blocks, showcasing his versatility and consistency.

TAMIU Head Coach Mac McConnell reflected on Roacho's growth and impact within the program.
"I think the biggest thing about Esteban when I recruited him—he was at Paris Junior College—what I saw in him was a big, strong guy that played hard," McConnell said. "At that particular time, he was playing more of a small forward position. When I recruited him and got him here, something he kept doing in practice was showing how verbal he was, how hard he worked, how he tried to get everything right. He never missed a practice."

McConnell said Roacho's dedication led to a major shift in his role.
"We started playing him at the point, which really helped his game—the offensive side of it, seeing the floor, ball handling," McConnell added. "He was just an absolute warrior. Everything that I stand for, he did it as a player: playing extremely hard defense, putting his body on the line, loose balls, taking charges, rebounding—everything you ask for. Never missed a practice, never missed a game, played whatever position you wanted."

For McConnell, Roacho exemplified the standard of what it means to be a Dustdevil.
"He just exemplifies what I want my program to look like: toughness, dedication to getting better, being on time, taking care of your business off the court, and being a model citizen," he said. "I know he has the drive, the focus, and the determination to be always improve. He's a great person. I'm happy for him. He represents TAMIU, and we should show him the support he needs as he continues to work his way up through the professional ranks."

Roacho is in his first season with the Mexico City Capitanes, one of the NBA G League's premier international programs, as he begins the next chapter of his basketball career.