Former Kent State forward Chris Ortiz will be playing in his first Olympics with Puerto Rico, helping them secure their first spot in the summer games in 20 years. Ortiz was a standout stretch four man for Rob Senderoff and the Golden Flashes from 2013-2016, helping the Flashes to a 2015 regular season championship.
Ortiz, who prepped at Christ The King High School in Brooklyn, has been a member of the Puerto Rican National Team since 2013 playing in tournaments like the FIBA Basketball World Cup and FIBA Americup. Puerto Rico went 4-0 to win one of four 2024 FIBA Men’s Olympic Qualifying Tournaments to reach Paris, and Ortiz has been a huge part of it. Ortiz averaged 7.3 points per game, 5.3 rebounds per game along the way. He’s the second former KSU men’s basketball player to play in the Olympics, following Nate Reinking who played for Great Britain in the 2012 summer games in London.
“Everyone here at Kent who is associated with the basketball program is really excited for and proud of Chris,” Senderoff said. “It’s an amazing accomplishment for him and his family to be able to represent Puerto Rico in the Olympics. I look forward to watching him compete and am rooting for him to have a great tournament.”
Ortiz put out a statement on the social media platform X on Saturday. “The love has been felt! From my personal loved ones, friends and family! To the people of Puerto Rico via social media! As well as the fans who are out here in France who supported us during the opening ceremony yesterday with their flags! It all means much more than you all know.”
Puerto Rico was assigned to Group C of the Olympic pool and will play Serbia, South Sudan and the United States during the group phase starting Sunday, July 28. The top eight teams will advance to the final phase, beginning with the quarterfinals Aug. 6.