Oklahoma Sooners guard Bijan Cortes announces temporary break from basketball
NORMAN — OU sophomore guard Bijan Cortes announced Tuesday that he's temporarily stepping away from basketball.
"Due to personal reasons, I am taking some time away from basketball," Cortes said via Twitter. "I look forward to returning as soon as I can. Thank you all for your support."
A former Kingfisher High School standout, Cortes committed to OU in January 2020. ESPN rated him as a four-star prospect and the No. 2 player in the state.
Cortes is averaging career-highs of 3.2 points and two assists in 17.5 minutes per game this season. The 6-foot-3 guard made his first career start in a 93-61 loss to West Virginia on Feb. 4.
"My message to him is I love him," OU head coach Porter Moser said. "He means a lot to our program. And my just thoughts and prayers and love is with Bijan. So we’re ready to embrace him whenever he feels he can come back."
OU (13-15, 3-12 Big 12) continues its season with a road game against 23rd-ranked Iowa State at 11 a.m. Saturday.
More: OU's rematch vs. Texas Tech is 'full-circle moment' for former Sooners De'Vion Harmon
We can’t wait to have you back 👊 https://t.co/56Tl2xTT2D
— Oklahoma Basketball (@OU_MBBall) February 22, 2023
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Oklahoma Sooners' Bijan Cortes temporary steps away from basketball
