Western's Orlando Mendez-Valdez Named Sun Belt Player of the Year

Western Kentucky's Orlando Mendez-Valdez has been named the Sun Belt Conference's Player of the Year for 2008-09. Mendez-Valdez averages 14.2 points and 4.0 rebounds per game and ranks in the top 10 in the Sun Belt in six major statistical categories including leading the league in three-pointers made per game at 2.89. He also earns a spot on the Sun Belt All-Conference First Team. Mendez-Valdez becomes the fifth Sun Belt Player of the Year for Western Kentucky University in the past nine seasons.

The Hilltoppers' other guard, A.J. Slaughter, has been named to the conference's Second Team. Slaughter leads Western in scoring at 15.7 PPG.

Announcement from WKU