Orlando Méndez-Valdez

Orlando Méndez-Valdez
Soles de Mexicali
Position Shooting guard
League Mexican League
FIBA Americas League
Personal information
Born (1986-04-29) April 29, 1986
San Antonio, Texas
Nationality American / Mexican
Listed height 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Career information
High school
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
2012–2016 Halcones de Xalapa
2016–2017 Maccabi Haifa
2017–present Soles de Mexicali
Career highlights and awards
Medals
Men's basketball
Representing  Mexico
Pan American Games
2011 Guadalajara Team
FIBA AmeriCup
2013 Venezuela Team

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

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

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.

On August 25, 2017, Mendez-Valdez signed with Soles de Mexicali for the 2017–18 season. [7]

International career

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

Pan American Games

  • Pan American Games 2011 Silver Medal

FIBA COCABA Championship

  • FIBA COCABA Championship 2013 Gold Medal

FIBA AmeriCup

  • FIBA Americas Championship 2013 Gold Medal

Centrobasket

  • Centrobasket 2016 Silver Medal

References

  1. ↑ http://www.wkusports.com/sports/m-baskbl/spec-rel/092313aac.html
  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. 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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