Former University of Pittsburgh basketball standout Orlando Antigua begins his fourth year on Head Coach Jamie Dixon's staff and first season as an assistant coach. Named an assistant coach on June 7, 2006, Antigua is responsible for recruiting student-athletes, game preparation and on-floor coaching. He served the previous three seasons as Pitt's director of men's basketball operations.

"Orlando has played a key role in our recruiting since he joined our staff," Dixon said. "He understands what type of players we look for and what type of student-athletes we want to represent the university."

A four-year letterwinner and two-year team captain at Pitt from 1991-95, Antigua ranks 11th all-time in career 3-pointers made (117) and sixth in career 3-point field goal percentage (.386). He also ranks among the school's career leaders in blocked shots with 78, the 12th best total in Panthers history. Over his four-year career, Antigua scored 930 points and grabbed 409 rebounds. He averaged 8.0 points and 3.5 rebounds per game while starting 78 of his 116 career contests played. A 1992 Big East Conference All-Rookie team member, Antigua helped lead the Panthers to an 18-16 record and berth in the National Invitation Tournament as a freshman. As a sophomore in 1992-93, Antigua helped lead Pittsburgh to a 17-11 record and NCAA tournament berth under Head Coach Paul Evans. He was named the United States Basketball Writers' Association (USBWA) Most Courageous Athlete in 1994, an honor presented annually to the college basketball player who displays exceptional courage both on and off the floor. Antigua averaged over 10.0 points per game in each of his last two seasons. He graduated from Pitt with a degree in social sciences in December 1995.

Upon his graduation from the University of Pittsburgh, Antigua was selected to play for the world-renowned Harlem Globetrotters, becoming the first player of Latin American descent to play for the squad. Nicknamed "Hurricane" for his dazzling moves and quickness, Antigua played with the Globetrotters for seven years until 2002. He represented the squad in 49 different countries and on tours to South America, South Africa and on the acclaimed "Youth in Our Lives Tour."

Antigua also played in the Puerto Rico Superior Basketball League for eight years and represented the Dominican Republic national team in both 1994-95 and 1997-98. Because of his dedication to the community, Antigua was named one of the nation's top-100 most influential Hispanic Americans by Hispanic Business magazine.

In 2002-03, Antigua served as an assistant basketball coach at nearby Mt. Lebanon High School under former Panthers player Joey David (1983-86) and worked as a sales representative for Cavanaugh Promotions in the North Hills.

"I am extremely excited to be a part of this staff," Antigua said. "I look forward to continuing the great tradition that has been established over the past few years at the University of Pittsburgh. This is a great opportunity for me to be involved in coaching at my alma mater."

A Dominican Republic native who was raised in Bronx, N.Y., Antigua recovered from a 1988 Halloween incident where he was shot in the head near his left eye. Nevertheless, Antigua was back playing basketball just two weeks after the incident and played his three seasons at Pittsburgh with the slug in his head. Doctors initially ruled out removing the bullet as being too risky, but Antigua began suffering severe headaches. Antigua's family also went through a period of homelessness. The oldest of three brothers, Antigua was credited with keeping the family together while housing was secured.

He overcame these difficulties and went on to serve as student council president at St. Raymond's High School and played a major role in the program's New York Catholic League Championship run under head coach Gary DeCaesare. As a senior, he earned McDonald's All America, All-New York City and Parade All America Second Team honors after averaging 15 points and eight rebounds. He also became the school's second all-time leading scorer with over 1,000 career points. In addition, Antigua played on the Gauchos youth basketball team along with his Panthers teammates Jerry McCullough and Eric Mobley.

Fluent in Spanish, Antigua has resided in Pittsburgh since graduation. He lives with his wife Dana, son Orlando Anthony and daughter Olivia.