Leonel Marquetti

Leonel Marquetti (born June 30, 1959) is a Cuban-American former basketball player. He played college basketball for the USC Trojans and Hampton Pirates. Marquetti was selected in the 1981 NBA draft by the San Antonio Spurs but never played in the National Basketball Association (NBA).

In 2011, Marquetti was sentenced to life in prison for the 2010 murder of his ex-girlfriend's handyman.

Early life and high school career Marquetti was born in Cuba and moved to the United States with his family when he was aged 11 because of "political reasons." His family settled in Lynwood, California, where his father gained work as a tilesetter. Marquetti averaged 17.8 points and 16 rebounds per game during his senior season,

Marquetti estimated that he received between 275 and 300 letters from colleges interested in recruiting him. Marquetti decided to transfer and was bound to join the Cal State Fullerton Titans until he was prevented by transcript problems.

On March 26, 1981, Marquetti declared his intention to claim hardship status for early entry in the 1981 NBA draft. He was selected as the 199th overall pick by the San Antonio Spurs but never played in the National Basketball Association (NBA).

Murder conviction On March 25, 2010, Marquetti fatally shot his ex-girlfriend's handyman, Michael Hurlbutt, in Plant City, Florida. Prosecutors portrayed Marquetti as a hoarder who struggled losing his girlfriend, Siglinde Sperber, when she ended their 10-year relationship and asked him to move out of their home. Marquetti was agitated when he saw Hurlbutt and Sperber together as they left Sperber's house and shot Hurlbutt four times.

Personal life Marquetti's nephew, Malik Marquetti, played college basketball for the USC Trojans and Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns.