The legendary center represented his country for two decades, inspiring many with his play and huge personality
SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO — International basketball is in mourning following the death of FIBA Hall of Famer José ‘Piculin’ Ortiz of Puerto Rico. He was 62.
The Boricua legend had a long and fulfilling journey in the sport with Puerto Rico’s national team and also the various clubs he suited up for.
“Few affectionate nicknames in FIBA basketball have become so prevalent worldwide as Piculin, and there is a good reason for that”, said FIBA Secretary General Andreas Zagklis. “He was an icon to the fans of Puerto Rico, and to the rest of the basketball world he was one of the most gifted, skilled and versatile big men of his era, an absolute joy to watch on the court and an inspiration for young players. His absence will be felt tremendously because the only quality that outshined his basketball talent was his magnetic, kind personality.”
When he was inducted to the FIBA Hall of Fame, Piculin stepped up to the mic and said he always felt that as a player, be it for club or country, he was an ambassador for Puerto Rico.
“My professional career representing Puerto Rico offered me opportunities to develop as a person, to achieve, and I have also been able to meet a lot of people around the world,” he said.
In the United States, Piculin played at Oregon State University under legendary coach Ralph Miller. Piculin was a dominant 2.11m (6ft 11in) pivot and earned Pac-10 Conference Player of the Year in 1987.
“Today, Puerto Rico loses more than an athlete, it loses a legend.”
—Puerto Rico Basketball Federation
Following a couple of campaigns with the Utah Jazz, he embarked on his professional career in Spain and played for Real Madrid, Barcelona, Andorra and Malaga. Piculin then spent time in Greece with Larissas, Heraklion and Aris, whom he led to Korac Cup glory in 1997 while averaging a team-high 15.3 points per game.
In the Korac Cup Final, Ortiz poured in 19 points in the opening leg, a 77-66 defeat to Tofas. Then in the second leg, he erupted for 25 points as Aris overcome the first-leg deficit by prevailing, 88-70.
Throughout his illustrious playing career, Piculi played in four FIBA Basketball World Cups and four Olympics – Image Credit: FIBA
Piculin returned to the Americas and suited up for Guaiqueríes de Margarita, where he was the Venezuelan League (LPB) Finals MVP in 1997. He returned home to Puerto Rico to compete with Cangrejeros de Santurce and later Capitanes de Arecibo and won an astonishing eight Puerto Rican League (BSN) titles. In 2002 he was also the MVP of the league.
He loved his time in the national team jersey, winning the FIBA AmeriCup in 1995, finishing runner-up in 1988, 1993 and 1997, and third in 2003.
Piculin played at four FIBA Basketball World Cups and four Olympics. He was in the Boricuas team that fell to the the USA Dream Team in the Quarter-Finals of the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona.
Piculin had a much more satisfying last game against the Americans, however, when he helped Puerto Rico stun the USA on the opening day of the 2004 Olympics in Athens, 92-73. He finished with 8 points and 6 rebounds and Puerto Rico ended up sixth at those Summer Games.
Piculin (back row, 4th from left) played for the Puerto Rico team that surprised USA on the opening day of the 2004 Olympics in Athens – Image Credit: FIBA
In recent years, Piculin had serious health problems. He was diagnosed with colorectal cancer in 2023.
When people remember Piculin, they will recall his friendliness, his candor, his pioneering spirit and his legendary career.
His FIBA Hall of Fame induction in 2019 was one of many proud moments.
He said: “Luckily I have been able to be happy in my life and in my achievements and today, I am an ambassador for my country, my beloved home country, Puerto Rico.”
Puerto Rico’s Basketball Federation announced: “Today Puerto Rico loses more than an athlete, it loses a legend. Thank you for all the joys, for representing our flag with pride and for taking the name of our island to the highest. Rest in peace Jose “Piculin” Ortiz Rijos. Your legacy will live on every court, with every fan and with every generation that you inspire.”
Information and Photos Courtesy of FIBA
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