Editing José Ortiz (basketball)

{{short description|Puerto Rican basketball player}}
{{Other uses|José Ortiz (disambiguation)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2024}}
{{family name hatnote|Ortiz|Rijos|lang=Spanish}}
{{Infobox basketball biography
| name = José Ortiz
| image = José Rafael Ortiz.JPG
| image_size =
| caption = Ortiz (left) in 2007
| height_ft = 6
| height_in = 11
| weight_lbs = 260
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1963|10|25}}
| birth_place = [[Aibonito, Puerto Rico]]
| high_school = Benjamin Harrison<br/>([[Cayey, Puerto Rico]])
| college = [[Oregon State Beavers men's basketball|Oregon State]] (1985–1987)
| draft_year = 1987
| draft_round = 1
| draft_pick = 15
| draft_team = [[Utah Jazz]]
| career_start = 1980
| career_end = 2006
| career_number = 4, 44 
| career_position = [[Power forward (basketball)|Power forward]] / [[Center (basketball)|center]]
| years1 = 1980–1991
| team1 = [[Atléticos de San Germán]]
| years2 = 1987–1988
| team2 = [[CB Zaragoza|CAI Zaragoza]]
| years3 = {{nbay|1988|start}}–{{nbay|1989|end}}
| team3 = [[Utah Jazz]]
| years4 = 1990
| team4 = [[Real Madrid Baloncesto|Real Madrid]]
| years5 = 1990–1992
| team5 = [[FC Barcelona (basketball)|FC Barcelona]]
| years6 = 1992–1993
| team6 = [[BC Andorra|Festina Andorra]]
| years7 = 1993–1994
| team7 = [[CB Málaga|Unicaja Polti]]
| years8 = 1994–1996
| team8 = [[Atléticos de San Germán]]
| years9 = 1994–1995
| team9 = [[Gymnastikos S. Larissas B.C.|Gymnastikos S. Larissas]]
| years10 = 1995–1996
| team10 = [[Irakleio B.C.|Iraklio Crete]]
| years11 = 1996–1997
| team11 = [[Aris B.C.|Aris]]
| years12 = 1997
| team12 = [[Guaiqueríes de Margarita]]
| years13 = 1997–1998
| team13 = [[Aris B.C.|Aris]]
| years14 = 1998–2005
| team14 = [[Cangrejeros de Santurce (basketball)|Cangrejeros de Santurce]]
| years15 = 2006
| team15 = [[Capitanes de Arecibo]]
| highlights = 
* [[FIBA Korać Cup]] champion ([[1996–97 FIBA Korać Cup|1997]])
* [[Spanish Basketball Cup|Spanish Cup]] winner ([[1991 Copa del Rey de Baloncesto|1991]])
* [[Liga ACB All-Star Game|Spanish League All-Star]] (1990)
* 2× [[HEBA Greek All-Star Game|Greek League All-Star]] (1996 I, 1997)
* 8× [[List of BSN champions|BSN]] champion (1985, 1991, 1994, 1998–2001, 2003)
* [[BSN Most Valuable Player Award|BSN Most Valuable Player]] (2002)
* [[Liga Profesional de Baloncesto|LPB]] champion (1997)
* LPB Finals MVP (1997)
* [[Pac-12 Conference Men's Basketball Player of the Year|Pac-10 Player of the Year]] (1987)
* 2× First-team [[List of All-Pac-12 Conference men's basketball teams|All-Pac-10]] (1986, 1987)
| stat1label = [[Point (basketball)|Points]]
| stat1value = 8,925 (17.7 ppg)
| stat2label = [[Rebound (basketball)|Rebounds]]
| stat2value = 5,314 (10.5 rpg)
| bbr = ortizjo01
| FIBA_HOF_player = José--Piculin--Ortiz
| medaltemplates =
{{MedalSport|Men's [[basketball]]}}
{{MedalCountry|{{bk|PUR}}}}
{{MedalCompetition|[[FIBA AmeriCup]]}}
{{MedalGold|[[1995 Tournament of the Americas|1995 Argentina]]|}}
{{MedalSilver|[[1988 Tournament of the Americas|1988 Uruguay]]|}}
{{MedalSilver|[[1993 Tournament of the Americas|1993 Puerto Rico]]|}}
{{MedalSilver|[[1997 Tournament of the Americas|1997 Uruguay]]|}}
{{MedalBronze|[[FIBA Americas Championship 2003|2003 Puerto Rico]]|}}
{{MedalCompetition|[[Basketball at the Pan American Games|Pan American Games]]}}
{{MedalGold|[[Basketball at the 1991 Pan American Games|1991 Cuba]]|}}
{{MedalBronze|[[Basketball at the 1987 Pan American Games|1987 USA]]|}}
{{MedalCompetition|[[Centrobasket]]}}
{{MedalGold|[[1989 Centrobasket|1989 Cuba]]|}}
{{MedalGold|[[1991 Centrobasket|1991 Mexico]]|}}
{{MedalGold|[[1993 Centrobasket|1993 Puerto Rico]]|}}
{{MedalGold|[[2001 Centrobasket|2001 Mexico]]|}}
{{MedalGold|[[2003 Centrobasket|2003 Mexico]]|}}
{{MedalSilver|[[1999 Centrobasket|1999 Cuba]]|}}
{{MedalCompetition|[[Goodwill Games]]}}
{{MedalGold|[[1994 Goodwill Games|1994 Russia]]|}}
}}
'''José Rafael''' "'''Piculín'''" '''Ortiz Rijos''' (born October 25, 1963) is a Puerto Rican former professional [[basketball]] player. He played in the [[NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship|NCAA]], [[National Basketball Association|NBA]], various European teams, and in Puerto Rico's [[Baloncesto Superior Nacional]] (BSN).

While he was in the NBA, he played with the [[Utah Jazz]]. He played with the Puerto Rican clubs [[Atléticos de San Germán]], [[Cangrejeros de Santurce (basketball)|Cangrejeros de Santurce]], and [[Capitanes de Arecibo]], while he was in the Baloncesto Superior Nacional. Ortiz was also a member of the senior [[Puerto Rico national basketball team|Puerto Rican national team]], from 1983 to 2004. Most notably, he was a member of the 2004 Puerto Rican team that defeated the [[United States men's national basketball team|United States]] at the [[Basketball at the 2004 Summer Olympics – Men's tournament|2004 Summer Olympic Games]] in [[Athens]], [[Greece]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.usabasketball.com/seniormen/2004/04_moly1_box.html |title=Puerto Rico 92, USA 73 |publisher=Usabasketball.com |access-date=December 18, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111101085351/http://www.usabasketball.com/seniormen/2004/04_moly1_box.html |archive-date=November 1, 2011 }}</ref> With Puerto Rico, Ortiz played in four different [[Basketball at the Summer Olympics|Summer Olympics]], as he played at the [[Basketball at the 1988 Summer Olympics – Men's tournament|1988 Seoul Games]], the [[Basketball at the 1992 Summer Olympics – Men's tournament|1992 Barcelona Games]], the [[Basketball at the 1996 Summer Olympics – Men's tournament|1996 Atlanta Games]], and the [[Basketball at the 2004 Summer Olympics – Men's tournament|2004 Athens Games]].

Ortiz holds various honors and records as a basketball player. He ranks fourth and sixth among the all-time statistical leaders for [[rebound (basketball)|rebounds]] per game and total rebounds, in the [[Baloncesto Superior Nacional]] league. He was also just the third player to have won eight championships in the BSN league. Ortiz was also the first Puerto Rican-born player that was [[NBA draft|drafted]] into the NBA. Many basketball experts consider Ortiz to be the best Puerto Rican basketball player of all-time.<ref name="primerahora.com">[http://www.primerahora.com/josepiculinortizrijosbrillantetrayectoriadeportiva-521039.html José “Piculín” Ortiz Rijos: Brillante trayectoria deportiva] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110703083227/http://www.primerahora.com/josepiculinortizrijosbrillantetrayectoriadeportiva-521039.html |date=2011-07-03 }} on ''[[Primera Hora (Puerto Rico)|Primera Hora]]'' (June 30, 2011)</ref>

Despite his success in sports, Ortiz went through financial troubles, after he retired from playing professional [[sports club|club]] basketball. In 2011, he was arrested for the possession of 218 [[marijuana]] plants. He was sentenced to six months in prison.<ref name="Suárez, Lymaris">{{cite news|url=http://www.elnuevodia.com/seismesesdecarcelparapiculinortiz-1224333.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120331225925/http://www.elnuevodia.com/seismesesdecarcelparapiculinortiz-1224333.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=March 31, 2012|title=Seis meses de cárcel para Piculín Ortiz|work=[[El Nuevo Día]]|date=March 29, 2012|author=Suárez, Lymaris}}</ref>

On August 30, 2019, Ortiz was inducted into the [[FIBA Hall of Fame member|FIBA Basketball Hall of Fame]], in honor of his career with the senior Puerto Rican national basketball team, and his club career, that spanned a period of 26 years.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.primerahora.com/deportes/baloncesto/notas/piculin-sera-un-inmortal/|title=Piculín será un inmortal|date=April 9, 2016|website=Primera Hora}}</ref>

==Early life and education==
Ortiz was born in [[Aibonito, Puerto Rico]]<ref>{{cite news|title=José "Piculín" Ortiz Rijos: Brillante trayectoria deportiva|url=http://www.primerahora.com/noticias/policia-tribunales/nota/josepiculinortizrijosbrillantetrayectoriadeportiva-521039/|access-date=17 January 2017|agency=Primera Hora|date=June 30, 2011}}</ref> on October 25, 1963, but he was raised in [[Cayey, Puerto Rico|Cayey]]. He started his basketball career playing as a [[center (basketball)|center]], at Benjamin Harrison High School in Cayey. He was nicknamed ''Piculín'', after one of the characters in ''[[The Wizard of Oz (1939 film)|The Wizard of Oz]]'' and ''The Concorde'', as a reference to the [[Concorde|popular plane]] and his height (6'11"). Ortiz earned a [[Bachelor's degree]] in Communications from [[Oregon State University]].<ref>[http://www.elnuevodia.com/figuraversadayculta-1006945.html Figura versada y culta] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120921032646/http://www.elnuevodia.com/figuraversadayculta-1006945.html |date=2012-09-21 }} on ''[[El Nuevo Día]]'' (July 3, 2011)</ref>

==College career==
Ortiz attended [[Oregon State University]], where he played [[college basketball]] with the [[Oregon State Beavers men's basketball|Oregon State Beavers]], from 1985 to 1987, under the team's head coach [[Ralph Miller]]. At Oregon State, he was a teammate of future [[List of players in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame|Basketball Hall of Fame]] player [[Gary Payton (basketball)|Gary Payton]], during the latter's freshman year. During his two seasons with the Beavers, Ortiz averaged 19.8 points and 8.7 rebounds per game.<ref name="Jose Ortiz">[https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/o/ortizjo01.html Jose Ortiz] on Basketball-Reference</ref> After the 1986–87 season, he was named the [[Pac-12 Conference Men's Basketball Player of the Year|Pac-10 Player of the Year]], finishing ahead of (among others) future Basketball Hall of Fame player [[Reggie Miller]] of [[UCLA Bruins men's basketball|UCLA]], in the voting.<ref name="ReferenceA">[http://www.elnuevodia.com/trayectoriadeportivadepiculinortiz-1004982.html Trayectoria deportiva de Piculín Ortiz] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110705120524/http://www.elnuevodia.com/trayectoriadeportivadepiculinortiz-1004982.html |date=2011-07-05 }} on ''[[El Nuevo Día]]'' (June 30, 2011)</ref> Ortiz also earned an [[1987 NCAA Men's Basketball All-Americans|NCAA DI All-American Honorable Mention]], in the 1986–87 season.

==Professional career==
===Puerto Rico===
In 1980, at age 17, Ortiz debuted with the [[Atléticos de San Germán]] from the [[Baloncesto Superior Nacional]] league in Puerto Rico. As his career progressed, he improved his game significantly, and he led San Germán to a league championship in 1985. That season, Ortiz averaged more than 25 points and 14 [[rebound (basketball)|rebounds]] per game. He would lead the team to a second league title in 1991, while he averaged 19 points and 15.8 rebounds per game.<ref>[http://www.bsnpr.com/jugadores/jugador.asp?id=1271&e= José Piculín Ortiz Statistics] on [[Baloncesto Superior Nacional|BSNPR.com]]</ref> After the 1991 season, Ortiz left the Puerto Rican League to play in [[Europe]]. He would return to the league in 1994, and lead San Germán to yet another title.

In 1998, Ortiz was released by San Germán. He then went on to play with [[Cangrejeros de Santurce (basketball)|Cangrejeros de Santurce]], and helped them win four titles in a row (1998–2001). In 2002, Ortiz was named the [[BSN Most Valuable Player Award|Most Valuable Player of the league]], although his team did not reach the league's Finals. Ortiz and the Cangrejeros again won another league title, in 2003, making Ortiz only the third player to win eight titles in the league.<ref name="primerahora.com"/>

Ortiz played with Santurce for two more years, and in 2006, he played with the [[Capitanes de Arecibo]]. However, he retired after just one season with the team. He finished his career in the BSN league with 8,915 points, 5,314 rebounds (#6), and 1,134 assists, in 505 regular season games played. To this day, he is considered by many experts to be the best Puerto Rican basketball player.<ref name="primerahora.com"/>

===NBA===
After graduating from [[Oregon State Beavers men's basketball|Oregon State University]], Ortiz entered the [[1987 NBA draft]]. He was selected in the first round, with the number 15 overall draft pick, by the [[Utah Jazz]]. However, before his first [[National Basketball Association|NBA]] season, he received an offer from [[CB Zaragoza|CAI Zaragoza]], of Spain's [[Liga ACB]], and he accepted it. Ortiz rejoined the Jazz for the [[1988-89 NBA season|1988–89 season]], and he debuted with the team on November 9, 1988. During his first season, Ortiz played in 51 games, and he was a starter in 15 of those games. He averaged 2.8 points and 1.1 rebounds per game.

Ortiz returned to the NBA for the [[1989-90 NBA season|1989–90 season]], playing in 13 games with the Jazz, before being waived by the team on February 5, 1990. He finished his brief NBA career with an average of 2.9 points and 1.1 rebounds per game.<ref name="Jose Ortiz"/> Ortiz wore the number 44 during his NBA career.

===Europe===
Ortiz joined the [[Spanish ACB League]] club [[CB Zaragoza|CAI Zaragoza]] in 1987. During the [[1987–88 ACB season]], he was the second leading scorer of the team, with a scoring average of 17.4 points per game.<ref>[http://www.acb.com/stsacum.php?cod_competicion=LACB&cod_edicion=32&cod_equipo=ZAR&totales=0 CAI Basket Zaragoza 1987-88] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121006181150/http://www.acb.com/stsacum.php?cod_competicion=LACB&cod_edicion=32&cod_equipo=ZAR&totales=0 |date=2012-10-06 }} on ACB.com</ref> After that season, he returned to the [[United States|U.S.]], to play with the [[Utah Jazz]] of the [[NBA]].

After being waived by the Jazz in 1990, Ortiz was signed by the Spanish club [[Real Madrid Baloncesto|Real Madrid]]. While a member of Real Madrid, he played with players such as [[Fernando Romay]], [[Antonio Martín Espina]], and [[José Biriukov|José "Chechu" Biriukov]]. After that season, he moved to the Spanish club [[FC Barcelona Bàsquet|FC Barcelona Banca Catalana]], where he won the [[1991 Copa del Rey de Baloncesto|1991 edition]] of the [[Spanish Basketball King's Cup|Spanish King's Cup]]. With Barcelona, he also finished in second place in the [[1990–91 FIBA EuroLeague|1990–91 FIBA European Champions Cup]] ([[EuroLeague]]) season. During the [[1991–92 ACB season]], he was one of the team's leading rebounders.<ref>[http://www.acb.com/stsacum.php?cod_competicion=LACB&cod_edicion=36&cod_equipo=BAR&totales=0 FC Barcelona 1991-92] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121006181207/http://www.acb.com/stsacum.php?cod_competicion=LACB&cod_edicion=36&cod_equipo=BAR&totales=0 |date=2012-10-06 }} on ACB.com</ref>

After that, Ortiz played with the Spanish clubs [[BC Andorra|Festina Andorra]] (1992–93), [[Baloncesto Málaga|Unicaja Polti]] (1993–94), and the [[Greek Basket League]] clubs [[Gymnastikos S. Larissas B.C.|Gymnastikos S. Larissas]] (1994–95), [[Iraklio B.C.|Iraklio Crete]] (1995–96), and [[Aris B.C.|Aris Thessaloniki]] (1996–97). Ortiz helped Aris to win the championship of the [[1996–97 FIBA Korać Cup]] season.<ref>[http://www.biografiasyvidas.com/biografia/o/ortiz_jose_rafael.htm Biografia de Jose Piculin Ortiz] on BiografiasyVidas</ref> After his season with Aris, Ortiz was offered a two-year contract that was worth approximately $1 million in [[net income]] per season, by the Greek club [[P.A.O.K. BC|PAOK Thessaloniki]]. However, the contract was declared null and void, when laboratory tests for [[steroids]] allegedly came back positive. Ortiz appealed the decision and won, but he refused to return to Europe to play.<ref>[http://www.elnuevodia.com/unafortunaqueseleesfumoapiculinortiz-1006944.html Una fortuna que se le esfumó a Piculín Ortiz] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110707110449/http://www.elnuevodia.com/unafortunaqueseleesfumoapiculinortiz-1006944.html |date=2011-07-07 }} on ''[[El Nuevo Día]]'' (July 3, 2011)</ref>

===Venezuela===
In 1997, Ortiz played with [[Isla Margarita|Guaiqueríes de Margarita]], of the [[Venezuelan Basketball League|Venezuelan League]].<ref>[http://www.elnuevodia.com/trayectoriadeportivadepiculinortiz-1004982.html Trayectoria Deportiva de Piculín] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110705120524/http://www.elnuevodia.com/trayectoriadeportivadepiculinortiz-1004982.html |date=2011-07-05 }} on ''[[El Nuevo Día]]'' (June 30, 2011)</ref> With his club, he won the league's championship, and he was named the MVP of the league's finals.

==National team career==
In 1982, Ortiz  reached the minimum age to join [[Puerto Rico men's national basketball team|Puerto Rico's national basketball team]], and in 1983, he saw his first international competition, at the [[Basketball at the 1983 Pan American Games|Pan American Games of Caracas, Venezuela]]. At the [[Basketball at the 1987 Pan American Games|1987 Pan American Games]], Ortiz was the flag-bearer for Puerto Rico. They won the bronze medal at that tournament.<ref name=Games>{{cite book|title=The Games of August: Official Commemorative Book |publisher=Showmasters |location=Indianapolis |year=1987 |isbn=978-0-9619676-0-4}}</ref> Ortiz also helped the Puerto Rican National basketball team earn a gold medal at the [[Basketball at the 1991 Pan American Games|1991 Pan American Games]], which were held in [[Havana]], [[Cuba]].

After the [[2002 FIBA World Cup]], which was held at [[Indianapolis]], Ortiz announced his retirement from the national team, to coincide with national teammate [[Jerome Mincy]]'s retirement from the team. However, Ortiz would later reconsider his decision to retire, and he rejoined the national team. In 2004, he was a part of the Puerto Rican team that defeated the [[2004 United States men's Olympic basketball team|2004 Team USA]] at the [[Basketball at the 2004 Summer Olympics – Men's tournament|Athens Summer Olympics]].

Overall, Ortiz played with Puerto Rico's national team at four [[FIBA World Cup]]s ([[1990 FIBA World Cup|1990]], [[1994 FIBA World Cup|1994]], [[1998 FIBA World Cup|1998]], and [[2002 FIBA World Cup|2002]]), and at four [[Basketball at the Summer Olympics|Summer Olympics]] ([[Basketball at the 1988 Summer Olympics – Men's tournament|1988]], [[Basketball at the 1992 Summer Olympics – Men's tournament|1992]], [[Basketball at the 1996 Summer Olympics – Men's tournament|1996]], and [[Basketball at the 2004 Summer Olympics – Men's tournament|2004]]).

==Other ventures==
===Entrepreneur===
Ortiz opened a restaurant called ''Patria'', in his hometown of [[Cayey]]. However, in 2003, the restaurant went bankrupt.<ref name="El derrumbe de Piculin Ortiz">[http://www.elnuevodia.com/elderrumbedepiculinortiz-1005309.html El derrumbe de Piculin Ortiz] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110717052413/http://www.elnuevodia.com/elderrumbedepiculinortiz-1005309.html |date=2011-07-17 }} on ''[[El Nuevo Día]]'' (July 1, 2011)</ref>

===Politics===
Ortiz became interested in politics, after meeting politician Ferdinand Pérez in 2000. Pérez sought Ortiz's advice for legislative measures related to sports. Ortiz eventually accepted to run for Senator, behind Pérez' campaign for [[Mayor of San Juan, Puerto Rico|Mayor of San Juan]], for the [[Popular Democratic Party of Puerto Rico|Popular Democratic Party]]. Ortiz ran for senatorial candidate from the district of San Juan-Guaynabo, in [[Puerto Rican general election, 2008|Puerto Rico's 2008 general elections]]. However, both their bids were unsuccessful.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ceepur.org/elecciones2008/papeletas/Legislativas/San%20Juan%20002.JPG |title=Archived copy |access-date=2010-08-01 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110621220327/http://www.ceepur.org/elecciones2008/papeletas/Legislativas/San%20Juan%20002.JPG |archive-date=2011-06-21 }}</ref> Pérez has said that Ortiz distanced from politics after the defeat.<ref>[http://www.elnuevodia.com/derrotapoliticadesatosuderrumbepersonal-1006426.html Derrota política desato su derrumbe personal] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110705094818/http://www.elnuevodia.com/derrotapoliticadesatosuderrumbepersonal-1006426.html |date=2011-07-05 }} on ''[[El Nuevo Día]]'' (June 30, 2011)</ref>

===Social activism===
On May 28, 2011, Ortiz officially opened the Piculín Ortiz Basketball Institute, in Cayey. The former [[center (basketball)|center]] aimed to develop the basketball skills and performance of local children and teenagers.<ref>[http://www.elnuevodia.com/piculinortizcreainstitutodebaloncesto-978462.html Piculin Ortiz crea Instituto de Baloncesto] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120921032751/http://www.elnuevodia.com/piculinortizcreainstitutodebaloncesto-978462.html |date=2012-09-21 }} on ''[[El Nuevo Día]]''; Medina Gil, Alberto (May 29, 2011)</ref><ref name="ReferenceA"/>

==Personal life==
Ortiz married actress Nirita Ruíz, with whom he had one daughter, [[Volleyball]] player [[Neira Ortiz|Neira]], and whom he had met during the filming of a commercial for [[Aqua Velva]], in which both acted.<ref>Archived at [https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211205/jQHJ8y2XERw Ghostarchive]{{cbignore}} and the [https://web.archive.org/web/20201117080011/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jQHJ8y2XERw&gl=US&hl=en Wayback Machine]{{cbignore}}: {{cite web| url = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jQHJ8y2XERw| title = Anuncio de Aqua Velva de Piculin Ortiz en 1988 | website=[[YouTube]]| date = June 19, 2016 }}{{cbignore}}</ref> He also had a son from a previous relationship.<ref>[http://www.primerahora.com/faltapersonaldejosepiculinortiz-522045.html Falta personal de José “Piculín” Ortiz] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110703233609/http://www.primerahora.com/faltapersonaldejosepiculinortiz-522045.html |date=2011-07-03 }} on ''[[Primera Hora (Puerto Rico)|Primera Hora]]''; Rodríguez-Burns, Francisco (July 1, 2011)</ref> However, the couple divorced in 2006.<ref name="El derrumbe de Piculin Ortiz"/> He has been in a relationship with Sylvia Ríos, since 2009 and married her in 2021.

===Legal problems===
On June 29, 2011, Ortiz was arrested for drug related charges. Federal agents seized 218 [[marijuana]] plants in a rented property, along with munitions for [[AR-15]] rifles. Ortiz allegedly claimed possession of all the material during the arrest. At the [[bail hearing]], Ortiz was legally represented by a public defender, since he claimed he had no money for a lawyer. At the hearing, the judge decided to send Ortiz to a rehabilitation clinic.<ref>[http://www.elnuevodia.com/federalesleocupanmarihuanaymunicionesdealtopoderapiculinortiz-1004797.html Tribunal envía a Piculín Ortiz a clínica para tratar adicción a drogas] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110703092025/http://www.elnuevodia.com/federalesleocupanmarihuanaymunicionesdealtopoderapiculinortiz-1004797.html |date=2011-07-03 }} on ''[[El Nuevo Día]]''; Suárez Torres, Limarys (June 30, 2011)</ref>

On November 4, 2011, Ortiz declared himself guilty of the charges against him.<ref name="elnuevodia.com">[http://www.elnuevodia.com/fueunmalejemplodemiparte-1112937.html Piculín Ortiz se declara culpable y podría ir preso] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111208155504/http://www.elnuevodia.com/fueunmalejemplodemiparte-1112937.html|date=2011-12-08}} on ''[[El Nuevo Día]]''; Suárez Torres, Lymaris (November 5, 2011)</ref> The next week, he failed a surprise [[drug test]], which revealed he had used [[cocaine]]. Judge Camille Vélez Rivé ordered the immediate imprisonment of Ortiz, arguing that she had given him several opportunities already.<ref>[http://www.primerahora.com/josepiculinortizesingresadoaprision-576770.html José "Piculín" Ortiz es ingresado a prisión] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111129073751/http://www.primerahora.com/josepiculinortizesingresadoaprision-576770.html |date=2011-11-29 }} on ''[[Primera Hora (Puerto Rico)|Primera Hora]]''; Rodríguez-Burns, Francisco (November 8, 2011)</ref> On March 29, 2012, he was sentenced to six months in prison.<ref name="Suárez, Lymaris"/>

===Health===
In 2023, Ortiz was diagnosed with [[colorectal cancer]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.primerahora.com/deportes/baloncesto/notas/piculin-llega-al-choliseo-en-medio-de-tratamiento-de-cancer-va-todo-bien-gracias-a-dios/|title=Piculín llega al Choliseo en medio de tratamiento de cáncer: "Va todo bien, gracias a Dios"|date=July 4, 2024|website=Primera Hora}}</ref>

On 14 January, 2025, he had surgery to treat his cancer and was released after two weeks in the hospital for the surgery, but was re-hospitalized days after, and the Puerto Rican Basketball Federation announced that blood donations are needed for the former basketball player.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.elnuevodia.com/deportes/baloncesto/notas/piden-sangre-para-jose-piculin-ortiz-que-fue-recluido-nuevamente-debido-a-una-recaida-por-su-condicion-de-cancer-colorrectal/ | title=Piden sangre para José "Piculín" Ortiz, quien fue recluido nuevamente debido a una recaída por su condición de cáncer colorrectal }}</ref>

==Career statistics==
{{NBA player statistics legend}}

===NCAA===
{{NBA player statistics start}}
|-
| align="left" | 1985–86
| align="left" | [[Oregon State Beavers men's basketball|Oregon State]]
| 22 || - || 34.8 || .515 || - || .664 || 8.5 || 1.3 || 0.6 || '''1.5''' || 16.4
|-
| align="left" | 1986–87
| align="left" | Oregon State
| '''30''' || - || '''36.7''' || '''.584''' || '''.500''' || '''.725''' || '''8.7''' || '''1.6''' || '''1.2''' || 1.4 || '''22.3'''
|-
| align="left" | Career
| align="left" |
| 52 || - || 35.9 || .557 || .500 || .703 || 8.7 || 1.5 || 0.9 || 1.4 || 19.8
{{S-end}}

===NBA===
{{NBA player statistics start}}
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| {{nbay|1988}}
| style="text-align:left;"| [[1988-89 Utah Jazz season|Utah]]
| '''51''' || '''15''' || '''6.4''' || .440 || .000 || .596 || 1.1 || 0.2 || 0.2 || 0.1 || 2.8
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| {{nbay|1989}}
| style="text-align:left;"| [[1989-90 Utah Jazz season|Utah]]
| 13 || 0 || 4.9 || '''.452''' || '''.500''' || '''.600''' || '''1.2''' || '''0.5''' || 0.2 || 0.1 || '''3.2'''
|- class="sortbottom"
| style="text-align:left;"| Career
| style="text-align:left;"|
| 64 || 15 || 6.1 || .443 || .333 || .596 || 1.1 || 0.3 || 0.2 || 0.1 || 2.9
{{S-end}}

===BSN===
{{BSN player statistics start}}
|-
| align="left" | 1980
| align="left" | [[Atléticos de San Germán|San Germán]]
| 6 || .500 || .000 || .800 || 0.7 || 0.0 || 1.7
|-
| align="left" | 1981
| align="left" | [[Atléticos de San Germán|San Germán]]
| 9 || .357 || .000 || .400 || 1.6 || 0.0 || 1.6
|-
| align="left" | 1982
| align="left" | [[Atléticos de San Germán|San Germán]]
| 14 || .356 || .000 || .500 || 3.1 || 0.0 || 2.9
|-
| align="left" | 1983
| align="left" | [[Atléticos de San Germán|San Germán]]
| '''33''' || .549 || .000 || .606 || 10.3 || 0.6 || 14.1
|-
| align="left" | 1984
| align="left" | [[Atléticos de San Germán|San Germán]]
| 29 || .575 || .000 || .631 || 13.1 || 1.1 || 21.1
|-
| align="left" | 1985
| align="left" | [[Atléticos de San Germán|San Germán]]
| 29 || .610 || .400 || .660 || 14.4 || 0.9 || '''25.5'''
|-
| align="left" | 1986
| align="left" | [[Atléticos de San Germán|San Germán]]
| 24 || .568 || .000 || .678 || 11.3 || 1.7 || 18.8
|-
| align="left" | 1987
| align="left" | [[Atléticos de San Germán|San Germán]]
| 22 || .636 || '''.500''' || .769 || 13.7 || 1.8 || 23.7
|-
| align="left" | 1988
| align="left" | [[Atléticos de San Germán|San Germán]]
| 31 || .590 || .200 || .768 || 11.5 || 2.3 || 20.2
|-
| align="left" | 1989
| align="left" | [[Atléticos de San Germán|San Germán]]
| 23 || .569 || .000 || .752 || 11.0 || 2.1 || 19.7
|-
| align="left" | 1990
| align="left" | [[Atléticos de San Germán|San Germán]]
| 19 || .630 || .688 || .774 || 12.7 || 2.8 || 22.5
|-
| align="left" | 1991
| align="left" | [[Atléticos de San Germán|San Germán]]
| 11 || .614 || .333 || .768 || '''15.8''' || 2.3 || 19.9
|-
| align="left" | 1994
| align="left" | [[Atléticos de San Germán|San Germán]]
| 14 || .636 || .000 || '''.818''' || 9.6 || 3.4 || 17.3
|-
| align="left" | 1995
| align="left" | [[Atléticos de San Germán|San Germán]]
| 19 || .594 || .296 || .731 || 11.8 || 2.9 || 20.2
|-
| align="left" | 1996
| align="left" | [[Atléticos de San Germán|San Germán]]
| 25 || '''.647''' || .400 || .711 || 13.8 || 3.3 || 20.5
|-
| align="left" | 1998
| align="left" | [[Cangrejeros de Santurce (basketball)|Santurce]]
| 29 || .608 || .269 || .704 || 12.6 || 3.5 || 19.3
|-
| align="left" | 1999
| align="left" | [[Cangrejeros de Santurce (basketball)|Santurce]]
| 18 || .609 || .250 || .667 || 10.1 || 3.3 || 20.6
|-
| align="left" | 2000
| align="left" | [[Cangrejeros de Santurce (basketball)|Santurce]]
| 28 || .575 || .273 || .663 || 9.0 || 3.0 || 18.0
|-
| align="left" | 2001
| align="left" | [[Cangrejeros de Santurce (basketball)|Santurce]]
| 23 || .576 || .238 || .656 || 10.1 || 2.8 || 19.7
|-
| align="left" | 2002
| align="left" | [[Cangrejeros de Santurce (basketball)|Santurce]]
| 27 || .603 || .333 || .629 || 9.6 || 3.3 || 19.4
|-
| align="left" | 2003
| align="left" | [[Cangrejeros de Santurce (basketball)|Santurce]]
| 16 || .457 || .318 || .464 || 8.6 || '''3.6''' || 14.1
|-
| align="left" | 2004
| align="left" | [[Cangrejeros de Santurce (basketball)|Santurce]]
| 29 || .498 || .000 || .623 || 7.4 || 3.0 || 10.4
|-
| align="left" | 2005
| align="left" | [[Cangrejeros de Santurce (basketball)|Santurce]]
| 23 || .496 || .286 || .404 || 6.5 || 1.9 || 10.9
|-
| align="left" | 2006
| align="left" | [[Capitanes de Arecibo|Arecibo]]
| 4 || .474 || .000 || .500 || 5.5 || 1.5 || 5.0
|-
| align="left" | Career
| align="left" |
| 505 || .582 || .307 || .680 || 10.5 || 2.2 || 17.7
{{s-end}}

==See also==
{{Portal|Puerto Rico}}
* [[List of Puerto Ricans#Sports|List of Puerto Ricans]]
* [[Puerto Rico men's national basketball team|Puerto Rico Men's National Basketball Team]]
* [[Puerto Rico at the 2004 Summer Olympics]]
* [[Elías Larry Ayuso]]
* [[Carlos Arroyo]]

==References==
{{reflist|30em}}

==External links==
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20201218215237/http://archive.fiba.com/pages/eng/fa/p/lid_38135_cp/1/pid/4716/q/Jose%20Ortiz/rpp//_//players.html FIBA Profile]
*[http://www.fibaeurope.com/compID_,Uz02qBnJiADOq5VntEf53.roundID_2571.season_2000.teamID_1003.playerID_4716.html FIBA Europe Profile]
*[https://www.fiba.basketball/hall-of-fame/Jos%C3%A9--Piculin--Ortiz FIBA Hall of Fame Profile]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20150410120141/http://www.acb.com/jugador.php?id=AFJ Spanish League Archive Profile] {{in lang|es}}
*[https://archive.today/20130626184245/http://www.bsnpr.com/jugadores/jugador.asp?id=1271 Puerto Rican League Profile] {{in lang|es}}

{{navboxes|list=
{{Pac-12 Conference Men's Basketball Player of the Year navbox}}
{{1987 NBA draft}}
{{Puerto Rico Squad 1994 Goodwill Games}}
{{Aris BC 1996–97 FIBA Korać Cup champions}}
{{FIBA Hall of Fame}}
}}

{{authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Ortiz, Jose}}
[[Category:1963 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:1998 FIBA World Championship players]]
[[Category:2002 FIBA World Championship players]]
[[Category:American expatriate basketball people in Greece]]
[[Category:American men's basketball players]]
[[Category:American people convicted of drug offenses]]
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[[Category:Aris B.C. players]]
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[[Category:Baloncesto Málaga players]]
[[Category:Baloncesto Superior Nacional players]]
[[Category:Basketball players at the 1988 Summer Olympics]]
[[Category:Basketball players at the 1992 Summer Olympics]]
[[Category:Basketball players at the 1996 Summer Olympics]]
[[Category:Basketball players at the 2004 Summer Olympics]]
[[Category:Basketball players at the 1983 Pan American Games]]
[[Category:Basketball players at the 1987 Pan American Games]]
[[Category:Basketball players at the 1991 Pan American Games]]
[[Category:BC Andorra players]]
[[Category:Expatriate basketball people in Andorra]]
[[Category:CB Zaragoza players]]
[[Category:Centers (basketball)]]
[[Category:Competitors at the 1994 Goodwill Games]]
[[Category:FIBA Hall of Fame inductees]]
[[Category:FC Barcelona Bàsquet players]]
[[Category:Goodwill Games medalists in basketball]]
[[Category:Guaiqueríes de Margarita players]]
[[Category:Gymnastikos S. Larissas B.C. players]]
[[Category:Irakleio B.C. players]]
[[Category:Liga ACB players]]
[[Category:NBA players from Puerto Rico]]
[[Category:Olympic basketball players for Puerto Rico]]
[[Category:Oregon State Beavers men's basketball players]]
[[Category:Pan American Games bronze medalists for Puerto Rico]]
[[Category:Pan American Games gold medalists for Puerto Rico]]
[[Category:Pan American Games medalists in basketball]]
[[Category:P.A.O.K. BC players]]
[[Category:People from Aibonito, Puerto Rico]]
[[Category:Puerto Rican expatriate sportspeople in Spain]]
[[Category:Puerto Rican men's basketball players]]
[[Category:1990 FIBA World Championship players]]
[[Category:Puerto Rico men's national basketball team players]]
[[Category:Real Madrid Baloncesto players]]
[[Category:Utah Jazz draft picks]]
[[Category:Utah Jazz players]]
[[Category:Medalists at the 1987 Pan American Games]]
[[Category:Medalists at the 1991 Pan American Games]]
[[Category:1994 FIBA World Championship players]]
[[Category:21st-century American sportsmen]]
[[Category:20th-century American sportsmen]]