But on Tuesday, OMV came home.
WKU received a special summer visit from Mendez-Valdez, along with his wife, former WKU volleyball standout Aquila Orr, and their two daughters.
"Coming back to WKU felt like coming home," Mendez-Valdez said. "It doesn't matter how many years it's been, this community always welcomes you with a warm embrace because it's a family."
Mendez-Valdez's last visit to The Hill was in May 2010 for Aquila's graduation. They married the following month.Finally made it back after 8 years. Thank you @WKUBasketball @WKUVolleyball for making us feel welcomed. #WKU will always be part of our family foundation. pic.twitter.com/RW5G9BQAaG
— Orlando MendezValdez (@omv2033) July 17, 2018
Plenty has changed on campus since then, but the Hilltopper legend and San Antonio native has also put together a successful professional career over that time.
The upcoming season will mark 10 years since his senior campaign with WKU, during which he was named Sun Belt Conference Player of the Year, an honorable mention All-American and led the Hilltoppers within one buzzer-beater by Gonzaga of back-to-back Sweet 16 appearances.
Mendez-Valdez put WKU on his back in that second-round NCAA matchup, scoring 25 points and netting 7 of 10 3-pointers in an effort Hilltopper fans won't forget.
He hasn't slowed down during his strong run as a pro player, predominantly in Mexico with a stop in Israel along the way. He also competes with the Mexican National team, recently dropping 20 points against the United States in FIBA World Cup qualifying.
Mendez-Valdez finished his WKU career with 1,067 career points and the first triple-double in school history, a feat not matched until the 33-point, 10-rebound, 10-assist effort against Marshall last season by now-graduated guard Darius Thompson, who also stopped by Diddle Arena on Tuesday.The Hilltoppers won at least 22 games in each of Mendez-Valdez's four seasons and 99 total games across his playing career.
Mendez-Valdez stopped by as WKU was running through individual workouts Tuesday, catching a quick glimpse of the current Hilltoppers before meeting with head coach Rick Stansbury and Director of Athletics Todd Stewart.
Stansbury has made a point since he was hired to emphasize his desire to have former players around the program to help the current teams understand the foundation that's been laid before them. Mendez-Valdez certainly helped lay that foundation.
Stansbury has made a point since he was hired to emphasize his desire to have former players around the program to help the current teams understand the foundation that's been laid before them. Mendez-Valdez certainly helped lay that foundation.
"I remember this guy on my scouting report," said a laughing Stansbury, whose Mississippi State squad took on WKU during Mendez-Valdez's senior year in 2009.
The practice gym, locker room and hallways all feature the likeness and accomplishments of OMV, which he was able to show to his daughters during a trip through the facility.
The social media reaction to his return to Bowling Green proved what a popular figure he was from a highly successful period in WKU's storied history, and Mendez-Valdez said the trip back to a place so important to both him and Aquila was special for them, too.
"To share that with our daughters after WKU is what brought my wife and I together meant the world to us," he said. "We'll always have Bowling Green as a special place in our hearts."
Really enjoyed visiting with this special Hilltopper family today - always great having @omv2033 and @HauteinTexas back in Diddle Arena! pic.twitter.com/1LRPizXVD1
— Todd Stewart (@ToddStewartWKU) July 17, 2018
