Gigantes of Carolina retire Carla Cortijo’s jersey
By THE STAR STAFF
The Municipality of Carolina and the Gigantes of the Women’s Superior National Basketball (BSNF by its initials in Spanish) league have retired Carla Cortijo Sánchez’s jersey in recognition of her athletic career, which includes four championships with the franchise and her distinction as the first Puerto Rican player -- trained on the island -- to play in the WNBA.
“Carla Cortijo is one of the great figures our sports world has produced, an athlete who has always represented Carolina and Puerto Rico with extraordinary pride,” Carolina Mayor José Carlos Aponte said Sunday in a written statement. “Her career is a source of great satisfaction for our city -- not only for her achievements on the court, but also for the example of discipline, commitment, and perseverance she provides to our children and youth.”
With the tribute, Cortijo becomes the second player associated with the Gigantes to have her jersey retired and permanently displayed at Guillermo Angulo Coliseum, joining Rodsan Rodríguez.
During her time with Carolina, the former point guard helped the team win BSNF championships in 2012, 2014, 2015 and 2016. She was also named Most Valuable Player of the final series in both 2014 and 2015.
Internationally, Cortijo was a member of the Puerto Rican National Team that won the gold medal at the 2011 Pan American Games in Guadalajara. In the 85-67 victory over Mexico, she recorded 29 points, six rebounds and 10 assists.
She also earned silver medals at the 2012 and 2014 CentroBasket tournaments, as well as at the 2014 Central American and Caribbean Games.
At the collegiate level, Cortijo played for the University of Texas, where she spent four seasons competing in NCAA Division I. Subsequently, she was signed by the Atlanta Dream of the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) for the 2015 and 2016 seasons.
In 2025, Cortijo was inducted into the Puerto Rican Sports Hall of Fame as the only woman in that year’s class.
Off the court, she has worked with young people through the Department of Recreation and Sports of the Municipality of Carolina and currently serves as co-owner of the Gigantes.
