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.

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