Orlando Méndez-Valdez

Orlando Méndez-Valdez
Halcones de Xalapa
Position Guard
League LNPB
Personal information
Born April 29, 1986
San Antonio, Texas
Nationality American/Mexican[1]
Listed height 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Career information
High school Lanier (San Antonio, Texas)
Charis Prep (Goldsboro, North Carolina)
College Western Kentucky (2005–2009)
NBA draft 2009 / Undrafted
Pro career 2009–present
Career highlights and awards

Orlando Homer Méndez-Valdez (born April 29, 1986) is an American-Mexican professional basketball player. He is currently in his third year with the Halcones UV Xalapa.[2]

Career

At the collegiate level, Mendez-Valdez played for Western Kentucky University from 2005-2009. He was a member of the 2008 Sweet Sixteen team which included Courtney Lee, Tyrone Brazelton, Ty Rogers, and Boris Siakam. In 2009, he was named the Sun Belt Conference Men's Basketball Player of the Year, and the Sun Belt Conference Male Athlete of the Year. In addition, he received All-American accolades, and recorded the first-ever triple double in Western Kentucky history.[3]

Mendez-Valdez attended prep school at Charis Prep in Goldsboro, North Carolina.[4] He won the MVP award in the Bull City Classic, and led the team to a championship at the tournament.

Mendez-Valdez attended Lanier High School in San Antonio, Texas, where he graduated in 2004. He was named the San Antonio Player of the year his senior year, and his jersey number was retired in 2009.[5][6]

In 2013, Mendez-Valdez helped lead Mexico to victory in the gold medal game against Puerto Rico at the FIBA Americas Championship.

References

  1. http://www.wkusports.com/sports/m-baskbl/spec-rel/092313aac.html
  2. UV Xalapa Halcones Website, accessed 26 September 2011
  3. WKU Official Athletics Page, accessed 26 September 2011
  4. Charis Prep Home Page, accessed 26 September 2011
  5. Flores, David. "Lanier graduate Mendez-Valdez has fond memories of Tractor-Traylor". KENS 5. Retrieved 26 September 2011.
  6. "Persistence Paid Off for Orlando Mendez-Valdez". ALL KY Hoops Feature. Retrieved 26 September 2011.