Gabriel Valdez — Rio Grande Valley Sports Hall of Fame

Home Tickets, July 13, 2024 Sponsors Forms Board Contact

Our Mission Selection Process Our History Induction Programs Induction Ceremonies Distinguished Service Awards Calendar

Alphabetical By Year By Sport or Activity By Hometown Pros

2023 Class 2022 Class 2020 Class 2019 Class 2018 Class 2017 Class 2016 Class 2015 Class 2014 Class 2013 Class 2012 Class 2011 Class 2010 Class 2009 Class 2008 Class 2007 Class 2006 Class 2005 Class 2004 Class 2003 Class 2002 Class 2001 Class 2000 Class 1999 Class 1998 Class 1997 Class 1996 Class 1995 Class 1994 Class 1993 Class 1992 Class 1991 Class 1990 Class 1989 Class 1988 Class

State Champion Athletes State Champion Teams HS Final 2 Teams HS State Semifinalist Teams Books Videos

Best College Teams Best HS Baseball Teams Best HS Football Teams Best HS Softball Teams Historic Photos

2021 Scholarships 2020 Scholarships 2019 Scholarships 2018 Scholarships Recipients by Year Scholarships Application 2024

Home About Us Our Mission Selection Process Our History Induction Programs Induction Ceremonies Distinguished Service Awards Calendar Past Inductees Alphabetical By Year By Sport or Activity By Hometown Pros Classes 2023 Class 2022 Class 2020 Class 2019 Class 2018 Class 2017 Class 2016 Class 2015 Class 2014 Class 2013 Class 2012 Class 2011 Class 2010 Class 2009 Class 2008 Class 2007 Class 2006 Class 2005 Class 2004 Class 2003 Class 2002 Class 2001 Class 2000 Class 1999 Class 1998 Class 1997 Class 1996 Class 1995 Class 1994 Class 1993 Class 1992 Class 1991 Class 1990 Class 1989 Class 1988 Class History State Champion Athletes State Champion Teams HS Final 2 Teams HS State Semifinalist Teams Books Videos Photos Best College Teams Best HS Baseball Teams Best HS Football Teams Best HS Softball Teams Historic Photos Scholarship 2021 Scholarships 2020 Scholarships 2019 Scholarships 2018 Scholarships Recipients by Year Scholarships Application 2024 Tickets, July 13, 2024 Sponsors Forms Board Contact

Rio Grande Valley Sports Hall of Fame

Gabriel Valdez

**Inducted: 2022**
**Hometown: Weslaco, Texas**
**High School: Weslaco High School**
**College: University of Texas Pan American**
**Best known for: Basketball**

Gabriel Valdez achieved amazing heights as both a player and coach on the hardwood. He was an All-State player for the Weslaco Panthers and later played at the NCAA Division I level with The University of Texas-Pan American Broncs.
After an outstanding playing career, Valdez became a head coach, achieving success coaching both girls and boys teams. In fact, he has won more than 800 games as a head coach in Weslaco ISD.
Valdez scored more than 20 points per game in three seasons as a Panther. As a senior in 1987-88, he captained a squad that went 31-2 – the best record in program history. He netted 28.5 points per game that year, was an All-State member, and earned a scholarship to what was then Pan American University.
At UT Pan American, he switched to shooting guard and became a bona fide outside scoring threat who could set up teammates in the low post. He was a three-year starter for the Broncs, setting records in free-throw percentage and consecutive free-throws made before he became a member of the All-Conference team his senior year in the Sun Belt Conference. He won the prestigious Lou Hassell Award as his school’s most outstanding male athlete in 1991.
His love of hoops took him into coaching. He guided the Weslaco Lady Panthers from 1994-2002, including an incredible 31-2 run in 1995-96. Next, he coached the Weslaco East Wildcats boys’ team for four seasons before taking the helm of the boys’ team at his alma mater, Weslaco High, in 2006. As of 2022, he had coached the Panthers to four 30-win seasons.

Rio Grande Valley Sports Hall of Fame

1616 E Griffin Parkway #169,

Mission, TX, 78572,

United States

Text 956-551-1214 board@rgvshof.net

Hours

Mon Open

Tue Open

Wed Open

Thu Open

Fri Open

Sat Open

Sun Open

Powered by Squarespace