Orlando Sanchez

				Class: Senior Hometown: Nagua, Dominican Republic High School: Colegio Nueva Luz Last College: Monroe College (N.Y.) Height / Weight: 6-9 / 214 Position: Forward Experience: J.C. Twitter: @Orlandito0933

On Sanchez: A highly-skilled and multidimensional forward ... a polished, mature athlete ... skilled in all facets of the game, at both ends of the floor ... mixes a power game with grace on the court.

Steve Lavin On Sanchez: "Orlando is a versatile athlete who has a diverse skill set for a player his size. He can playmake, shot make, defend multiple positions, block shots and rebound. Orlando is a selfless team player, with a competitive nature that will benefit our team."

At Monroe College: A 2010-11 honorable mention JUCO All-American ... averaged 8.5 points per game, an 11.5 rebounding average that ranked seventh in the nation and 4.3 blocks which rated third among all junior college players as a first-year player for Monroe in 2010-11 ... freshman efforts led the Mustangs to a 31-5 record, the NJCAA Region 15 title, the District III championship and a best-ever third-place finish in the 2011 NJCAA National Championship in Hutchinson, Kansas ... averaged 10.5 ppg, 8.5 rpg and 3.0 bpg during Monroe's tournament to earn all-tournament honors ... following the season, he played on the Dominican Republic national team that was coached by Kentucky's John Calipari ... led Monroe to a fifth-place national finish as a sophomore ... earned All-NJCAA all-tournament honors in 2011-12 ... averaged 10.2 ppg, 8.0 rpg, 2.2 apg and 1.9 bpg on the season ... garnered second team NJCAA Region 15 all-star accolades ... coached at Monroe by Jeff Brustad.

Personal: Orlando Emilio Sanchez Caminero ... born in Nagua, Dominican Republic ... son of Enhmin Patricia Caminero Martinez and Orlando E. Sanchez Vargas ... has three sisters, Jonaira (20), Yamile (19) and Natasha (18), and one brother, and Yauger (16) ... Dominican national team experience once pitted him against NBA players with Kentucky ties such as Rajon Rondo, John Wall and Tayshaun Prince ... majoring in sports management and also interested in business.

Up Close With Orlando Sanchez
Nickname: Primo.
Favorite movie/TV show: "Step Up."
What's on my iPod/mp3 player: Dominican music: dembow, salsa, bachata, rap.
Favorite food: Rice, beans, meat.
Favorite place to hang out on campus/NYC area: The gym.
Favorite class: Sport management.
Greatest athletic accomplishment: When I was chosen to play on the national team of Dominican Republic.
Hero/role model(s): My grandmother.
Favorite athlete/sports team: Barcelona soccer and Kobe Bryant.
I came to St. John's because: I think it is the best place for me and I am going to represent Coach Louie.
Best thing about St. John's: The basketball court.
One word to describe me off the court: "Quiet."
The St. John's basketball player that will surprise you this year: Me.
After St. John's or after basketball career I'd like to: Coach.
If I could have dinner with three people (history or today): Kobe Bryant and Michael Jordan.
Favorite quote: "Vive libre. Live free."
Superstitions/pregame rituals: Listening to music, watching film.
If I wasn't playing basketball: Playing volleyball or chess.