ORLANDO MENDEZ-VALDEZ NAMED RUNNER UP FOR G LEAGUE EXECUTIVE OF THE YEAR

Mexico City, April 1, 2026 — Today, the Mexico City Capitanes announced that Orlando Mendez-Valdez has been named Runner Up for the NBA G League’s Executive of the Year award for the 2025-26 season.

During his two seasons leading the team as GM, Méndez-Valdez has championed both his own vision and Capitanes’ commitment to showcasing Latin American talent within the NBA G League.

Under Orlando’s leadership, two Latin American players have earned NBA call-ups: David Jones was called up by the Utah Jazz in 2024, followed by Andersson García in 2025, also with the Jazz.

In just two years as General Manager, Orlando Méndez-Valdez has led the construction of the roster with a clear and strategic vision. His approach has combined the addition of experienced talent such as James Bouknight, Davon Reed and Boo Buie, players in whom he placed his trust based on their experience within the NBA ecosystem, while also helping build a competitive and consistent team.

At the same time, he has prioritized the development of Latin American talent, not only as a fundamental part of Capitanes’ collective success but also as a genuine pathway to the NBA. The roster has featured players such as David Jones, Andersson García, RJ Meléndez and Felipe Haase.

Méndez-Valdez was considered for this prestigious award alongside Liron Fanan, General Manager of the Cleveland Charge, who finished first in the voting, and Cole Teal, General Manager of the Greensboro Swarm, who finished third.

Orlando Méndez-Valdez — Capitanes’ General Manager

“In a league as demanding as the NBA G League, building a competitive roster is about more than bringing talent together. It is about creating a group with a shared mindset, a strong work ethic and an ambitious goal. Today, that formula is reflected on the court: eight of Capitanes’ 12 players are Latino, a testament to the impact and growth of basketball in our region on one of the most competitive professional stages in the world.”