Puerto Rican-born former NBA star José “Piculín” Ortiz died peacefully at the Ashford Hospital in San Juan on May 5. He was 62. While the cause of death remains undisclosed, the four-time Olympian previously battled with colorectal cancer.
According to Olympics.com, Ortiz was surrounded by his wife, Sylvia Rios, and daughter, Neira Ortiz, at the time of his demise.
The Puerto Rico Basketball Federation (PRBF) confirmed the news via Facebook. The translated (Spanish to English) version goes as follows:
“Today, Puerto Rico loses more than an athlete. It loses a legend. Thank you for so many joys, for representing our flag with pride and for taking the name of the Island to the highest level. Rest in peace, José “Piculín” Ortiz Rijos. Our ‘Concorde.’ Your legacy will live on in every court, in every fan, and in every generation you inspired.”
Puerto Rican music and cultural icon Bad Bunny offered his tribute to José “Piculín” Ortiz. He shared a black-and-white throwback picture with the athlete and wrote on his Instagram Story:
“Thank you so much, José “Piculín” Ortiz. Puerto Rico will always remember your name with pride, respect and joy. Strength to his family.”
Bad Bunny also shared four back-to-back Stories with Ortiz’s pictures from over the years.
Exploring, in brief, José “Piculín” Ortiz’s life and career
José “Piculín” Ortiz was born in Aibonito, Puerto Rico, in October 1963, and grew up in Cayey. His parents, Elba Rijos and German Ortiz, were school teachers.
Ortiz began his basketball career as a center at the Benjamin Harrison School in his hometown. This is when his teammates named him “Piculín” after the Wizard of Oz character (also The Concorde, referring to the jetliner) due to his 6’11’’ height.
José “Piculín” Ortiz moved to the United States on a basketball scholarship to Oregon State University and played college basketball for the Beavers for three years before graduating with a degree in communications. Gary Payton was one of his teammates.
At the end of the 1986-87 season, Ortiz was part of the NCAA DI All-American Honorable Mention. That same year, he was selected by the Utah Jazz in the first round of the NBA Draft and played two consecutive seasons.
Between 1990 and 1992, José “Piculín” Ortiz played for Real Madrid and FC Barcelona basketball clubs. Following his European stint, he returned to Puerto Rico and joined the Baloncesto Superior Nacional (BSN) league and won eight championships.
Ortiz played for Puerto Rican clubs such as Atleticos de San German, Capitanes de Arecibo, and Cangrejeros de Santurce. From 1983 to 2004, he also represented his country in the national basketball team, which defeated the USA at the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens.
Other tournaments José “Piculín” Ortiz played in include the 1988 Seoul Games, 1992 Barcelona Games, and 1996 Atlanta Games. He retired in 2006.
Five years later, Ortiz got in trouble with the law when he was arrested for possession of over 200 marijuana plants. He had to spend six months behind bars followed by rehab.
Despite the temporary controversy, Piculín was inducted into the FIBA Basketball Hall of Fame in August 2019. He also founded the Piculín Ortiz Basketball Institute in his hometown to encourage underprivileged youngsters to pursue a basketball career.
Ortiz also unsuccessfully ran for the Puerto Rican Senate (for the Popular Democratic Party) in 2008.
José welcomed his daughter and volleyball star Neira Ortiz with his first wife and actress Nirita Ruiz. They seemingly met while shooting for an Aqua Velva bottled water commercial. The pair divorced in 2006.
Ortiz remarried his longtime girlfriend, Sylvia Rios, in 2021 after over a decade of dating. He has a son from a previous relationship.
In November 2023, Piculín announced his cancer diagnosis via Instagram. He said in the video, sitting beside his wife:
“I want to share with you that I have been diagnosed with colorectal cancer, and we are ready to fight it. We are staying positive. It’s not easy… but within the family, we are all very positive. In a way, we are waiting to see what we can do along the way.”
Ortiz continued:
“This isn’t good news, but it’s news we have to face, and we need to maintain the best possible attitude so that everything around us stays on track. And I want you to know that I’m going to give my all, just like I always have on the field and have done in previous difficult times. Please pray for us.”
He underwent chemotherapy and radiation in July 2024 and underwent surgery the following January. At the time, the Puerto Rican Basketball Federation shared a statement from Sylvia Rios:
“Piculín is conscious and alert, resting completely. Since his diagnosis, Piculín has been open about his journey. Now, his main focus is on recovery, and in due time, he will continue to share his story with the same transparency and honesty that have always characterized him.”
While José “Piculín” Ortiz was released from the hospital two weeks later, he had to return when his condition suddenly worsened. Back then, the Federation urged everyone to donate blood for the athlete.
Tributes are now pouring in for Ortiz across borders and the sports fraternity.
Edited by Pallavi K