Orlando Woolridge died yesterday in Mansfield, Louisiana, due to heart problems.

Orlando Vernada Woolridge was born on December 16, 1959 in Bernice, Louisiana. He attended the University of Notre Dame, where he played basketball reaching the NCAA tournament Final Four in 1978.

Sixth overall pick in the 1981 NBA Draft, Orlando Woolridge was selected by the Chicago Bulls, where he played until 1986. Later, he played with the New Jersey Nets between 1986 and 1988 but in his second season he was suspended for drug problems.

The following season, Orlando Woolridge played again, this time with the Los Angeles Lakers, where he remained until 1990. Later, he played one season with the Denver Nuggets, almost two seasons with the Detroit Pistons, in 1993 was traded to the Milwaukee Bucks and finished his NBA career in the 1993-1994 season with the Philadelphia 76ers.

In 1994, Orlando Woolridge went to play in Italy, where he won the European Saporta Cup and the Italian Cup with Benetton Treviso, where he played for one season. The following season he won the Italian Supercup with Buckler Bologna.

After his European experience, Orlando Woolridge retired from his activity as a player and became a coach in 1998. For two years he coached the Los Angeles Sparks in the WNBA, after some years he coached in the ABA, where in the 2007-2008 season he coached the Houston Takers and in the 2008-2009 season he coached the Arizona Rhinos.

2.06 meters (6’9″) tall, Orlando Woolridge was a very athletic player known for his spectacular plays, particularly dunks. Unfortunately, recently he was under medical treatment because of the heart problems that led to the death.