Orlando Méndez-Valdez

Orlando Homer Méndez-Valdez (born April 29, 1986) is an American-born Mexican[1] professional basketball player for Mineros of the LNBP.

Orlando Méndez-Valdez
Méndez-Valdez with Mexico in 2014
No. 33 – Mineros de Zacatecas
PositionShooting guard
LeagueLNBP
Personal information
Born (1986-04-29) April 29, 1986
San Antonio, Texas
NationalityAmerican / Mexican
Listed height6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
Listed weight185 lb (84 kg)
Career information
High school
CollegeWestern Kentucky (2005–2009)
NBA draft2009 / Undrafted
Playing career2009–present
Career history
2009–2011Halcones de Xalapa
2012Pioneros de Quintana Roo
2012–2016Halcones de Xalapa
2016–2017Maccabi Haifa
2017–2019Soles de Mexicali
2019–presentCapitanes de Ciudad de México
Career highlights and awards
Medals
Men's basketball
Representing  Mexico
Pan American Games
2011 Guadalajara
FIBA AmeriCup
2013 Venezuela

High school career

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.[2][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.

College 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.[5]

Professional career

After failing to be drafted in the 2009 NBA Draft, he played professional basketball in the LNBP from 2009-2016. On September 14, 2016, Mendez-Valdez signed with the Israeli team Maccabi Haifa for the 2016–17 season.[6] During his season with the club, Mendez-Valdez won the Three-Point Shootout contest in the Israeli League All-Star event, he also helped Haifa reaching the Israeli League Finals.

He returned to the LNBP on August 25, 2017, signing with Soles de Mexicali for the 2017–18 season.[7]

National team career

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

Honours
  • Pan American Games 2011 Silver Medal
  • FIBA COCABA Championship 2013 Gold Medal
  • FIBA Americas Championship 2013 Gold Medal
  • Centrobasket 2016 Silver Medal

References
  1. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2015-01-22.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  2. Flores, David. "Lanier graduate Mendez-Valdez has fond memories of Tractor-Traylor". KENS 5. Retrieved 26 September 2011.
  3. "Persistence Paid Off for Orlando Mendez-Valdez". ALL KY Hoops Feature. Archived from the original on 10 April 2016. Retrieved 26 September 2011.
  4. Charis Prep Home Page, accessed 26 September 2011
  5. WKU Official Athletics Page, accessed 26 September 2011
  6. "Maccabi Haifa signs Orlando Mendez-Valdez". Sportando.com. September 14, 2016. Retrieved September 14, 2016.
  7. "Orlando Méndez será el movedor de Soles de Mexicali". lavozdelafrontera.com (in Spanish). August 25, 2017. Retrieved August 25, 2017.
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