A native of Panama City, Panama, Eric Cardenas, 6-8 post player, led the Bison to the NAIA National Tournament Sweet Sixteen in 1996 and to a second-place finish in 1997.

He led the 1997 national tournament in rebounding and was an All-Tournament selection. Cardenas was a first-team NAIA and Basketball Times All-America choice in 1997 and an NAIA honorable mention honoree in 1996.

A Sooner Athletic Conference first team pick in 1996 and 1997, Cardenas was the SAC’s Most Valuable Player in 1997. He led his team in scoring in 1996 with a 16.4 average and in 1997 with 18.5 points per game. He also led the team in rebounding in 1997 with 9.5 per contest.

Cardenas scored 1,284 career points and has OBU career averages of 17.6 points and 8.6 rebounds. He ranks third in rebounds in a season (380); seventh in season field goals made (302); eighth in career field goal percentage (62.0 on 513 of 827 attempts).

He lives in Panama City.