Sebastian De La Cruz Performs Anthem at Spurs Opener
The 24-year-old singer returned to the Frost Bank Center to perform the national anthem before Tuesday's season opener.
Updated on Oct. 21, 2026 in Basketball
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Singer Sebastian De La Cruz performed the national anthem at the Frost Bank Center before the San Antonio Spurs season opener against the Oklahoma City Thunder. The 24-year-old performer wore a dark, gold-embellished charro-inspired suit for the appearance.
Why it matters
The performance marks a continued professional association between the San Antonio artist and the franchise that dates back to his childhood appearances. His presence serves as a familiar element of tradition for local fans as the team begins their new campaign.
Sebastian De La Cruz is 24 years old, marking a significant duration since his initial performances for the team at age 11. He performed throughout the 2026 playoff run against the Portland Trail Blazers and Minnesota Timberwolves.
The players
Sebastian De La Cruz
He is a San Antonio-based singer who has performed the national anthem for the Spurs since he was 11 years old.
San Antonio Spurs
This is a professional basketball team competing in the National Basketball Association that plays its home games at the Frost Bank Center.
Oklahoma City Thunder
They are a professional basketball team in the National Basketball Association that served as the opponent for the Spurs season opener.
The details
De La Cruz took the court wearing a charro-inspired suit detailed with gold embellishments and a colorful bow tie. This appearance follows a season where the San Antonio Spurs previously competed in the NBA Finals against the New York Knicks.
Timeline
Sebastian De La Cruz first performed for the team during the 2013 NBA Finals.
He sang during the 2026 playoff run against the Portland Trail Blazers and Minnesota Timberwolves.
The performance took place on Tuesday, October 20, 2026.
Season Trajectory
The return of a long-standing anthem performer signals a focus on franchise tradition as the team looks to move past their previous NBA Finals loss to the New York Knicks. This sets a tone of organizational continuity as the Spurs navigate a competitive Western Conference season.
Fans attending games at the Frost Bank Center can anticipate the return of established pre-game traditions throughout the 2026-2027 season. The appearance highlights the team's ongoing commitment to local cultural representation during high-profile matchups.
The takeaway
Traditional pre-game elements often help ground fans in a team's history and cultural identity. Audiences can look for similar recurring traditions as the NBA season progresses into the regular schedule.
Further reading
Find more local coverage on the Basketball page.
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