The international basketball community is mourning the loss of Puerto Rican basketball player, Jose Piculin Ortiz. It was on May 5, 2026, that Jose died at the age of 62. The Puerto Rico Federation had given the confirmation related to the same, and now the cause of death details have been released. Jose Piculin Ortiz had played briefly in the NBA but was widely regarded as the greatest Puerto Rican player of all time.
How did Puerto Rican basketball player, Jose Piculin Ortiz, die?
The Puerto Rico Basketball Federation shared that Jose passed away due to colorectal cancer. He was suffering from the same since 2023 and had passed away at the Ashford Hospital back in San Juan. Jose’s wife, Sylvia Rios and his daughter, Neira Ortiz were present with him during the time of his demise, and during his final days. Back in his homeland, Jose was one of the most successful players in the history of the Baloncesto Superior Nacional. In Puerto Rico’s top league game, Jose had won 8 championships. His international debut with the team was back in 1983 at the Pan American Games in Caracas, Venezuela.
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