César Portillo
Encyclopedia
César Eduardo Portillo Brown (born September 26, 1968 in Barcelona, Anzoátegui
) is a retired male basketball player (2.06 metres) from Venezuela
, who played as a center
during his career.
at Miami High School in Miami, Florida
. There, Portillo led Miami High to a state title, with teammate and future NBA player Doug Edwards
. Portillo was named a Parade
All-American as a senior.
After his standout high school career, César Portillo committed to the University of Florida
. His time there was cut short after only four games as his Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) came into question and he was asked to re-take the test. Instead, Portillo transferred to Palm Beach Community College to play.
Following a junior college
season where he averaged 19.5 points, 9.9 rebounds and 3.2 blocks per game, Portillo signed with the University of South Alabama
. Portillo played two years for South Alabama, leading them to the NCAA Tournament as a junior.
. He later competed for the Venezuela national basketball team
in his familiar post position at the 1989 Campeonato Sudamericano (4th place) and at the 1990 FIBA World Championship
, where the team finished in 11th place.
Barcelona, Anzoátegui
Barcelona is the capital of Anzoátegui State, Venezuela and was founded in 1671. Together with Puerto La Cruz, Lecheria and Guanta, Barcelona forms one of the most important urban areas of Venezuela with a population of approximately 950,000.-History:...
) is a retired male basketball player (2.06 metres) from Venezuela
Venezuela
Venezuela , officially called the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela , is a tropical country on the northern coast of South America. It borders Colombia to the west, Guyana to the east, and Brazil to the south...
, who played as a center
Center (basketball)
The center, colloquially known as the five or the post, is one of the standard positions in a regulation basketball game. The center is normally the tallest player on the team, and often has a great deal of strength and body mass as well...
during his career.
High school and college
Portillo attended high school in the United StatesUnited States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
at Miami High School in Miami, Florida
Miami, Florida
Miami is a city located on the Atlantic coast in southeastern Florida and the county seat of Miami-Dade County, the most populous county in Florida and the eighth-most populous county in the United States with a population of 2,500,625...
. There, Portillo led Miami High to a state title, with teammate and future NBA player Doug Edwards
Doug Edwards
Douglas Edwards is an American former professional basketball player who was selected by the Atlanta Hawks in the 1st round of the 1993 NBA Draft. Edwards played for the Hawks and Vancouver Grizzlies in 3 NBA seasons, averaging 2.4 ppg. He played collegiately at Florida State University...
. Portillo was named a Parade
Parade (magazine)
Parade is an American nationwide Sunday newspaper magazine, distributed in more than 500 newspapers in the United States. It was founded in 1941 and is owned by Advance Publications. The most widely read magazine in the U.S., Parade has a circulation of 32.2 million and a readership of nearly 70...
All-American as a senior.
After his standout high school career, César Portillo committed to the University of Florida
Florida Gators men's basketball
The Florida Gators men's basketball team represents the University of Florida in the sport of basketball. The Gators compete in National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I and the Southeastern Conference...
. His time there was cut short after only four games as his Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) came into question and he was asked to re-take the test. Instead, Portillo transferred to Palm Beach Community College to play.
Following a junior college
National Junior College Athletic Association
The National Junior College Athletic Association , founded in 1938, is an association of community college and junior college athletic departments throughout the United States. It is held as Divisions and Regions. The current NJCAA holds 24 separate regions.-History:The idea for the NJCAA was...
season where he averaged 19.5 points, 9.9 rebounds and 3.2 blocks per game, Portillo signed with the University of South Alabama
South Alabama Jaguars men's basketball
The South Alabama Jaguars basketball program has competed in the Sun Belt Conference since 1978 when the league was formed. In their 42 year history, the Jaguars have compiled an overall record of 694-507 . Ronnie Arrow returned as head coach in 2007, succeeding John Pelphrey after the 2006-07 season...
. Portillo played two years for South Alabama, leading them to the NCAA Tournament as a junior.
International career
Portillo's first international experience came as a 14-year old guard as he was a part of Venezuela's entry to the 1983 Pan American Games1983 Pan American Games
The ninth Pan American Games were held in Caracas, Venezuela from August 14 to August 29, 1983. The games were the first major international competition to include relatively accurate steroid testing...
. He later competed for the Venezuela national basketball team
Venezuela national basketball team
The Venezuela men's national basketball team represents the Venezuela Basketball Federation in international competitions such as the International Basketball Federation , the International Olympic Committee , the World Championship, the South American Basketball Championship, the Pan American...
in his familiar post position at the 1989 Campeonato Sudamericano (4th place) and at the 1990 FIBA World Championship
1990 FIBA World Championship
The 1990 FIBA World Championship was an international basketball competition hosted by Argentina from August 8 to August 20, 1990.The competition final phase was held at the Luna Park, Buenos Aires.Yugoslavia emerged as the tournament winner...
, where the team finished in 11th place.