Orlando Antigua

Biography

A 22-year veteran of the coaching profession – widely regarded as the nation's preeminent recruiter and one of the top frontcourt player development mentors in the country – Orlando Antigua has reunited with head coach Brad Underwood and the Illinois program as Associate Head Coach. Antigua is in year two of his second stint at Illinois. Last year, Antigua landed five-star recruit Will Riley, who would go on to earn Big Ten Sixth Man of the Year accolades before becoming a first round pick in the 2025 NBA Draft. Antigua also helped recruit and coach Tomislav Ivisic, who earned All-Big Ten recognition in his first season as the Illini's starting center. Antigua's return to Champaign followed three successful seasons at Kentucky, which marked his second stop in Lexington. Kentucky compiled a 71-30 record from 2021-24, recording at least 22 wins in each of the three years and making three NCAA Tournament appearances. Antigua managed the development of Oscar Tshiebwe, the unanimous National Player of the Year in 2022. Tshiebwe led the NCAA in rebounding and became the first Div. I player to average at least 15 points and 15 rebounds in 42 years. Antigua also helped the Wildcats land three-straight top-5 recruiting classes, including the No. 1 class in the country in 2023. Prior to Antigua's second run in Lexington, he spent four years at Illinois from 2017-21. Antigua was Underwood's first hire in Champaign during the spring of 2017, and he played an instrumental role in the turn

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