Orlando Méndez-Valdez
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| Halcones de Xalapa | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| 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 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Playing career | 2009–present | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Career history | |||||||||||||||||||||
| 2009–2011 | Halcones de Xalapa | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 2012 | Pioneros de Quintana Roo | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 2012–present | Halcones de Xalapa | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Career highlights and awards | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Medals
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Orlando Homer Méndez-Valdez (born April 29, 1986) is an American-Mexican professional basketball player. He is currently a free agent, but has played for the previous five seasons with the Halcones UV Xalapa.[2]
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.[3][4]
Mendez-Valdez attended prep school at Charis Prep in Goldsboro, North Carolina.[5] 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.[6]
International career
In 2013, Mendez-Valdez helped lead Mexico to victory in the gold medal game against Puerto Rico at the FIBA Americas Championship.
References
- ^ http://www.wkusports.com/sports/m-baskbl/spec-rel/092313aac.html
- ^ UV Xalapa Halcones Website, accessed 26 September 2011
- ^ Flores, David. "Lanier graduate Mendez-Valdez has fond memories of Tractor-Traylor". KENS 5. Retrieved 26 September 2011.
- ^ "Persistence Paid Off for Orlando Mendez-Valdez". ALL KY Hoops Feature. Retrieved 26 September 2011.
- ^ Charis Prep Home Page, accessed 26 September 2011
- ^ WKU Official Athletics Page, accessed 26 September 2011
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- 1986 births
- Living people
- American emigrants to Mexico
- American sportspeople of Mexican descent
- Basketball players at the 2011 Pan American Games
- Basketball players from Texas
- Mexican basketball players
- Point guards
- Shooting guards
- Sportspeople from San Antonio, Texas
- WKU Hilltoppers basketball players
- Basketball players at the 2015 Pan American Games
- Pan American Games competitors for Mexico
- Pan American Games silver medalists for Mexico