BIJAN CORTES NEWS

PJ Haggerty scores career-high 42 points for No. 16 Memphis in 83-80 AAC win over Wichita State

PJ Haggerty scored a career-high 42 points for 16th-ranked Memphis in an 83-80 win over Wichita State in a quarterfinal game at the American Athletic Conference tournament

MARCH 14

Washington's 21 lead Wichita State past South Florida 73-68 in AAC Tournament

Led by Corey Washington's 21 points, the Wichita State Shockers defeated the South Florida Bulls 73-68 in the American Athletic Conference Tournament on Thursday

MARCH 13

Atin Wright scores 21 as North Texas ups win streak to six with 68-66 victory over Wichita State

Atin Wright had 21 points to help North Texas hold on for a 68-66 victory over Wichita State, upping its win streak to six

MARCH 4

Starting Thursday Cortes is in the starting lineup for Thursday's game against FAU, Taylor Eldridge of The Wichita Eagle reports.

Impact Cortes will remain in the starting five for at least one more game while the Shockers ease Justin Hill back into action. Hill is available Thursday but will be coming off the bench. It's possible the two swap places in the lineup when they host Tulane on Sunday.

FEBRUARY 20 • ROTOWIRE

Makes both three-point attempts Cortes (ankle) logged six points (2-2 FG, 2-2 3Pt), three assists and one rebound across 15 minutes during Wichita State's exhibition game Sunday against Emporia State.

Impact Going into Wichita State's 2024-25 season, the biggest question involving Cortes is how much his shooting has changed during the offseason. During the 2023-24 Shockers' campaign, he struggled mightily, averaging 4.4 points while shooting 36.6 percent from the field and 29.0 percent from deep across his 18 games started. Fortunately for Cortes, Sunday's exhibition indicates he has kept his starting spot for now, though there is likely little room for error shooting-wise.

OCTOBER 27, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Sits out during Saturday's scrimmage Cortes (ankle) did not appear in the Shockers' scrimmage on Saturday, Taylor Eldridge of The Wichita Eagle reports.

Impact Cortes is dealing with a minor ankle issue that held the senior guard out during Saturday's scrimmage at the Koch Arena in front of a crowd of around 2,000. The 6-foot-2 senior, who averaged 4.3 points, 1.7 rebounds, three assists and 0.7 steals on 18.8 minutes per game last season, is not expected to remain sidelined for an extended period of time. Wichita State will kick off their season with an exhibition game against Emporia State on Oct. 27, and Cortes' status will continue to be monitored leading up to that game.

OCTOBER 6, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Nails two triples in victory Cortes logged 12 points (5-8 FG, 2-2 3Pt), one rebound and five assists in 22 minutes during Wednesday's 88-81 win over Rice.

Impact Cortes scored a season-high 12 points during Wednesday's win over Rice. However, Cortes is shooting just 22.9 percent on his 1.8 three-point attempts per contest in 2023-24.

MARCH 13, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Season high scoring Cortes supplied 11 points (3-5 FG, 1-2 3Pt, 4-5 FT), one rebound, four assists and one steal in 23 minutes during Wednesday's 79-63 victory over Tulsa.

Impact Cortes' efficient shooting helped him record a season-high 11 points during Wednesday's win over Tulsa. The junior guard is averaging 3.8 points, 2.5 assists and 1.6 rebounds in 18.6 minutes across his last 11 appearances since moving into the starting lineup.

FEBRUARY 22, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Expected back Thursday Cortes (ankle) is expected to be available during Thursday's showdown with North Texas, Taylor Eldridge of The Wichita Eagle reports.

Impact Cortes suffered an ankle injury during the first half of Saturday's 86-67 loss to Kansas, and he was unable to return to the contest. The 6-foot-2 junior, who recently made his season debut for the Shockers after missing the first 11 games of the season with a right foot injury, is expected to be available Thursday as Wichita State opens AAC Conference play.

JANUARY 3, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Spotted with foot in boot Cortes has his right foot in a boot ahead of Saturday's game against Southern Illinois, Taylor Eldridge of The Wichita Eagle reports.

Impact Cortes is a transfer from Oklahoma who seemingly could join the fold after a decision in the courts earlier this week resulted in the waiver process being removed for this season. However, it appears Cortes may also be dealing with an injury to his right foot or leg, so there may be another factor keeping Cortes' status in question, even if he is cleared on the waiver front.

DECEMBER 16, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Awaiting eligibility waiver Cortes (academics) is awaiting an eligibility waiver for the Shockers' 2023-24 season, according to Taylor Eldridge of The Wichita Eagle.

Impact Unfortunately for Cortes, an academic problem is preventing him from participating in future games. He already sat out the 2023-24 Shockers' offseason tour at Greece and exhibition game Sunday against Rogers State. If available, Cortes is expected to serve as part of their primary backcourt. The flashy guard's ineligibility would be a significant loss.

NOVEMBER 2, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Awaiting eligibility waiver Cortes (academics) is awaiting an eligibility waiver for the Shockers' 2023-24 season, according to Taylor Eldridge of The Wichita Eagle.

Impact Unfortunately for Cortes, an academic problem is preventing him from participating in future games. He already sat out the 2023-24 Shockers' offseason tour at Greece and exhibition game Sunday against Rogers State. If available, Cortes is expected to serve as part of their primary backcourt. The flashy guard's ineligibility would be a significant loss.

NOVEMBER 2, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Former Oklahoma Point Guard Finds New Home Bijan Cortes entered the transfers portal shortly after the season began, and according to reports Sunday, he has made a decision where he’l...

APRIL 16, 2023 • STAR-TELEGRAM.COM

OU sophomore guard Bijan Cortes to enter NCAA Transfer Portal The Oklahoma men's basketball team will likely be looking for a new backup point guard.OU sophomore guard Bijan Cortes has decided to enter...

MARCH 20, 2023 • 247SPORTS.COM

Reports: Oklahoma Sophomore Enters Transfer Portal The last of Lon Kruger’s players are now gone as Kingfisher guard Bijan Cortes has reportedly decided to leave Porter Moser’s squad.

MARCH 20, 2023 • NEWSOBSERVER.COM

Reports: Oklahoma Sophomore Enters Transfer Portal The last of Lon Kruger’s players are now gone as Kingfisher guard Bijan Cortes has reportedly decided to leave Porter Moser’s squad.

MARCH 20, 2023 • STAR-TELEGRAM.COM

Leaving Oklahoma Cortes has entered the transfer portal, VerbalCommits.com reports.

Impact Cortes is set to enter the transfer portal after two seasons with the Sooners. The 6-foot-3 guard appeared in 29 games this season, averaging 3.2 points, 2.0 assists and 1.6 rebounds in 17.0 minutes per game. Cortes is a former three-star recruit.

MARCH 20, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Minimal impact in loss Cortes (personal) provided three points (1-2 FG, 1-1 3Pt), one rebound, two assists and one steal over 12 minutes during Wednesday's 85-69 loss to Kansas State.

Impact Cortes returned to the lineup Wednesday after missing the previous two games due to personal reasons. He is averaging 2.2 points, 1.4 rebounds and 1.0 assists in 13.0 minutes across his last five outings.

MARCH 2, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Breaking: Oklahoma's Bijan Cortes 'Taking Time Away from Basketball' Cortes posted a mysterious message on social media Tuesday that he’ll be stepping away from the Sooners due to “personal reasons.”

FEBRUARY 22, 2023 • STAR-TELEGRAM.COM

Taking a leave of absence Cortes (personal) announced on his Twitter page that he will be taking a leave of absence from the team until further notice.

Impact The sophomore will be stepping away from basketball until further notice due to a personal issue. Cortes is averaging 3.2 points and 2.0 assists this season. His next chance to return could be Saturday at Iowa State.

FEBRUARY 21, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Part of starting lineup Saturday Cortes recorded six points (1-4 FG, 4-6 FT), two rebounds and three assists in 25 minutes during Saturday's 93-61 loss to West Virginia.

Impact Oklahoma started Cortes in place of senior Jacob Groves, who is averaging only 16.7 minutes across 2023 so far. Ideally for the sophomore, this indicates he will have a better role across the Sooners' future games.

FEBRUARY 5, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

WATCH: Oklahoma G Bijan Cortes Zoom Oklahoma guard Bijan Cortes met with the media on Tuesday ahead of OU’s matchup with Oklahoma State.

JANUARY 31, 2023 • STAR-TELEGRAM.COM

Dishes out six assists in loss Cortes totaled five points (2-5 FG, 1-1 3Pt, 0-1 FT), three rebounds, six assists and two steals across 26 minutes during Tuesday's 79-52 loss to TCU.

Impact Cortes saw his second-highest playing time of conference play during this runaway win for the Horned Frogs. As a result, he logged a season high in assists while also snatching more than one steal for just the second time this season. Cortes has played a consistent role ff the bench this season, though his game-to-game production should continue to fluctuate so long as he plays behind starting guards Grant Sherfield and Milos Uzan.

JANUARY 24, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

WATCH: Oklahoma F Jalen Hill & G Bijan Cortes Iowa State Postgame Oklahoma forward Jalen Hill and guard Bijan Cortes met with the media following OU’s 63-60 loss to No. 25 Iowa State.

JANUARY 5, 2023 • NEWSOBSERVER.COM

Plus contributions off the bench Cortes ended with six points (2-3 FG, 2-3 3Pt), two rebounds, four assists and one steal across 20 minutes during Saturday's 70-66 loss to Villanova.

Impact Cortes made a significant impact off the bench for the second game in a row. Following a season-best 10-point performance against Mississippi, the 6-foot-3 sophomore notched a season-high in assists and three-point makes and attempts in this narrow loss. While Cortes did have flaws with his most fouls and turnovers in a game this season, he played at least 14 minutes for the fourth game in a row and appears to be growing into a bigger reserve role for the Sooners. His next chance to play will come against UM-Kansas City on Tuesday.

DECEMBER 4, 2022 • ROTOWIRE