Matt Freed, Post-Gazette Orlando Antigua has seen a lot of smiles as a member of the Harlem Globetrotters. His road to the Pitt basketball coaching staff has been no laughing matter, however. Click photo for larger image.

Orlando Antigua could have a second career as a motivational speaker. The 32-year-old assistant coach at Pitt has plenty of stories to tell. When he was 14, he was shot in the head and came back to play for his high school team in New York two weeks later. He and his family also went through a period of homelessness a few years later. Antigua, from the Bronx section of New York, overcame those obstacles to earn a scholarship to Pitt and became a two-year captain for the Panthers before graduating in 1995. He scored 930 points at Pitt and made 117 3-pointers, which is the 11th-best total for the Panthers. After graduating, Antigua became the first Latino to play for the world-famous Harlem Globetrotters. He played seven seasons for the Globetrotters and traveled around the world with the basketball showmen. He spent the past three seasons as Pitt's director of basketball operations and soon is expected to be named an assistant coach on Jamie Dixon's staff. Antigua recently spent some time with Post-Gazette Pitt basketball beat writer Ray Fittipaldo and shared his thoughts on basketball and life.

Q: You were the first Latin player to play for the Harlem Globetrotters. What does that mean to you?

Antigua: Anytime you can be the first of anything, to be somewhat of a pioneer, it's special. And, when you do it with the Globetrotters, who have meant so much to so many people, it's really special. Everyone wants to leave a legacy. Being the first Latino to play for the Globetrotters, that is something that will always be there. That will never change.

Q: You grew up in New York City; what was it like to grow up and become a Globetrotter?

Antigua: My memories of the Globetrotters as a child are the same as many other kids'. I remember seeing them on Wide World of Sports and on Scooby-Doo. To have the opportunity to become a part of that, to have other kids around the world kind of looking up at me is special.

Q: You played in 49 countries in seven years on the team. What was your favorite country to visit?

Antigua: Probably South Africa. It was a great experience. And to top it off, we had the opportunity to play in front of Nelson Mandela on his 78th birthday. Getting to meet him is something I'll always hold dear.

Q: How about your least favorite country?

Antigua: One of the benefits of being a Globetrotter is no matter where you are in the world, you're the home team. I had no bad experiences. The hardest part is the travel and the time away from your family.

Q: Is that why you retired?

Antigua: I was getting to the point where I knew I wouldn't be able to play forever. I wanted to start the next phase of my career. I worked for Pat Cavanaugh's company in the North Hills and got some great experience in the corporate world there. When I was there, I worked with Joey David on his staff at Mt. Lebanon and then came the opportunity to be a part of coach Dixon's staff.

Q: Did you always want to be a coach?

Antigua: I wasn't sure. My brother was a coach. Sometimes, as a player I thought I was a coach (laughs). I was always intrigued by the strategy of the game, the game-planning. Being the director of basketball operations that gave me an idea of the administrative side of things, and I got to see whether I wanted to be involved in the coaching aspect.

Q: Are you convinced now that you want to be a coach?

Antigua: Yes. Absolutely. Just learning from coach (Barry) Rohrssen and coach (Joe) Lombardi (both of whom have left Pitt since the end of last season) and seeing how hard those guys worked. Being able to learn under coach Dixon the experience he has. I've learned a lot.

Q: You were an innocent bystander in 1988 when you were shot in the head. In two weeks, you were back to playing basketball. How did that experience shape you?

Antigua: For one, it changed my perspective at an early age on life. It made me appreciate my friends and family. I also realized I had an appreciation, a love and a passion for basketball. One of the first things I asked the doctor was when I was going to be able to play again. I had just gotten into St. Raymond's. That was my sophomore year. I had an opportunity to make something of myself. I thought I could maybe get a scholarship. To some degree, the shooting helped because it brought a lot of attention to me and to our team because of all the publicity it generated.

Q: You and your family were homeless for a period in your childhood. How did that experience effect you?

Antigua: It was survival. We had some hardships. As a family, you go through rough times. You have obstacles and you try to overcome them. Fortunately, I was able to be around positive people at that time, and they helped me overcome that challenge. It's helped me and my brothers become successful today.

Q: You've had opportunities to leave Pitt for assistant-coaching positions the past couple of years. Why did you stay at Pitt?

Antigua: It's home. It's where a lot of my opportunities have flourished. Even when I was a Globetrotter, I never really left. I've always lived in Pittsburgh. It's the university that gave me an opportunity to earn a degree, and I've met some wonderful people here. That's one of the reasons I have a tattoo of a Panther on my arm. It's a reminder of no matter where I go, I'll always be a Pitt Panther. I had the opportunity to help mold some very good players here. It was a great opportunity to show my passion for the university.

Q: When did you get the tattoo?

Antigua: My junior year. Once I knew I was close to graduation (laughs).

Q: Who is the best player you have seen in your time at Pitt?

Antigua: I've seen a lot. I would have to say Malik Sealy (of St. John's). He was a player that stood out. He was my boyhood idol. I got to guard him one game at Fitzgerald Field House when I was a freshman. Being a New York kid, I was trying to get into his head. He said "Welcome to the Big East."

Q: Which Pitt player will surprise the most next season?

Antigua: That's a great question. I would say probably Levon [Kendall]. Actually, it's a toss-up between two or three guys. I would also say Ronald [Ramon] and Sam Young. Sam is just starting to scratch the surface of the player he can become.