TAMPA, SEPT. 10, 2014 – After spending the past month on the road, Orlando Antigua is back in Tampa, ready for the start of USF's men's basketball season, which begins with practice on Oct. 3.

The first-year head coach just wrapped up a historic run with the Dominican Republic national team, qualifying for the FIBA World Cup for the first time since 1978 and leading the squad to the round of 16 for the first time in the nation's history. The run ended this past Saturday with a 71-61 loss to Slovenia.

“It was a great experience for myself and our team, going against the best teams in the world,” said Antigua. “Representing my country was a great honor and something I hope to continue to do in the future. I'm excited to start working with my USF team as we are getting ready for the start of the season.”

A former Harlem Globetrotter, Antigua trotted the globe pretty well over the past 30 days. He played four games in the Bahamas (Aug. 13-17), one in New York's famed Madison Square Garden (Aug. 20), two in Madrid, Spain (Aug. 23-24), five in Bilbao, Spain (Aug. 30-Sept. 4) and one in Barcelona, Spain (Sept. 6).

It was Antigua's fourth season as a member of the coaching staff of the Dominican Republic, the country he was born in. He was an assistant coach with the team before taking over head coaching duties last season.

Antigua now goes back to coaching student-athletes and will lead a roster full of potential during the upcoming season. Only three players who saw playing time last season return in senior Corey Allen Jr., junior Anthony Collins and sophomore Chris Perry. Two who look to make an impact after redshirt freshmen seasons are Dre Clayton and Bo Zeigler. Junior Jaleel Cousins, freshman Troy Holston, freshman Ruben Guerrero, freshman Dinero Mercurius and junior Nehemias Morillo are five newcomers expected to compete for playing time this season.

Bahamas (Exhibitions)
Aug. 13, Chalons-Reims 67 – Dominican Republic 62
Aug. 14, Dominican Republic 87 – Puerto Rico 53
Aug. 15, University of Kentucky 83 – Dominican Republic 71
Aug. 17, Dominican Republic 63 – University of Kentucky 62

New York (Exhibition)
Aug. 20, USA 105 – Dominican Republic 62

Madrid, Spain (Exhibitions)
Aug. 23, Dominican Republic 83 – Senegal 47
Aug. 24, Dominican Republic 86 – Philippines 79

Bilbao, Spain - World Cup (Group C)
Aug. 30, Ukraine 72 – Dominican Republic 62
Aug 31, Dominican Republic 76 – New Zealand 63
Sept. 2, Dominican Republic 74 – Finland 68
Sept. 3, USA 106 – Dominican Republic 71
Sept. 4, Turkey 77 – Dominican Republic 64

Barcelona, Spain - World Cup (Bracket Play)
Sept. 6, Slovenia 71 – Dominican Republic 61