Former Oregon State, Puerto Rico Basketball Star José ‘Piculín’ Ortiz Dies at 62
The former center played 24 seasons and helped Puerto Rico win 8 BSN titles before entering the FIBA Hall of Fame.
- Puerto Rican basketball legend José Rafael "Piculín" Ortiz died on Tuesday at age 62, his family confirmed, following a battle with colorectal cancer.
- A native of Aibonito, Ortiz excelled at Oregon State University before becoming the first Puerto Rico–born player selected in the NBA draft, when the Utah Jazz picked him 15th overall in 1987.
- Ortiz served as a cornerstone of the National Team for over two decades, leading Puerto Rico to a top Four finish at the 1990 FIBA World Championship and participating in Olympic Games including Seoul 1988.
- Back in the Baloncesto Superior Nacional, he led the Cangrejeros de Santurce to five championships in a six-year span starting in 1997; FIBA inducted him into its Hall of Fame in August 2019.
- Recently active, Ortiz was often seen at basketball games, including the women's National Team match at the Coliseo de Puerto Rico José Miguel Agrelot in San Juan; his legacy remains cemented among the most influential figures in Puerto Rican sports.
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Puerto Rican manager Carlos Morales also reacted with deep emotion to the death of José “Piculín” Ortiz, whom he managed at different stages of his career and with whom he developed a relationship that transcended the professional.
Puerto Rican basketball great Jose 'Piculin' Ortiz dies at 62 after cancer fight
May 5 : Puerto Rican basketball great Jose "Piculin" Ortiz has died at the age of 62 after battling colorectal cancer for several years, the Puerto Rico Basketball Federation confirmed on Tuesday."Today, Puerto Rico loses more than an athlete. It loses a legend. Thank you for so much joy and for representing
Bozeman Daily Chronicle
Puerto Rico mourns José 'Piculín' Ortiz, a basketball legend, who has died at 62
José “Piculín” Ortiz, a center who played briefly in the NBA but was considered one of the greatest Puerto Rican players of all time, has died. He was 62. The Puerto Rico Basketball Federation confirmed that Ortiz died Tuesday. He…
Ortiz was known for his handover as a Puerto Rico national team player in several international tournaments.
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