Orlando Mendez-Valdez

Who is Orlando Mendez-Valdez?

Orlando Mendez-Valdez is a professional basketball player playing in the Mexican league Liga Nacional de Baloncesto Profesional. He is currently in his third year with the Halcones UV Xalapa, where he wears #20.

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.

Mendez-Valdez attended prep school at Charis Prep in Goldsboro, North Carolina. 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.

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