Porter Moser addresses Bijan Cortes stepping away from team

Oklahoma basketball coach Porter Moser wants guard Bijan Cortes to know the team is here for him. Cortes announced Tuesday ahead of a matchup against Texas Tech that he will step away from the team for personal reasons.

Following a 74-63 loss to the Red Raiders, Moser offered an encouraging message to the sophomore.

“My message to him is: I love him,” the coach said. “We miss him in this program. For Bijan, all my prayers are for him. He’s gonna be welcomed with absolutely open arms. The only thing he’s gotten from us is total love and support. He means a lot to our program. My thoughts, prayers and love is with Bijan. We’re ready to embrace him whenever he feels he can come back.”

Cortes joined the Sooners in 2021-22 after leading Kingfisher High School to state titles in 2019 and 2021. He appeared in 30 games as a true freshman, averaging two points and 1.4 assists across 11.6 minutes per game.

This season he is averaging more than 17 minutes a game for Oklahoma, playing in all but two games. He’s averaging 3.2 points, 1.5 rebounds and 2 assists a game. He made his first career start in a 93-61 loss to West Virginia on Feb. 4.

Without Bijan Cortes, Porter Moser and Oklahoma will count the likes of Otega Oweh, Joseph Bamisile and C.J. Noland to play more minutes going forward.

Saturday’s loss to Texas Tech dropped Oklahoma to 13-15 (3-12 Big 12). They have now lost six of their past seven contest after taking down No. 2 Alabama on Jan. 28.

With three games remaining this season, it remains unclear whether Cortes will be back at all in 2022-23. The Sooners next face Iowa State at 11 a.m. CT on Saturday.