A Dream chance for Puerto Rico's Cortijo
SAN JUAN (2015 FIBA Americas Women's Championship) - Puerto Rico's title defence at the recent Pan American Games in Toronto didn't go nearly as well as the team had hoped with the Caribbean team ending up in sixth place.
The side's only victory came against the Dominican Republic on opening day, although the Boricuas did push Brazil hard in their second game before falling, 62-57.
One Puerto Rican player who did enhance her reputation in Canada was national team captain Carla Cortijo.
The 28-year-old averaged almost 20 points per game in the competition.
Her performances earned Cortijo a tryout with the Atlanta Dream following the Pan Am Games.
Invitan a Carla Cortijo a la WNBA http://t.co/2syfCRkUuy pic.twitter.com/yoDriXaP37
— El Vocero de PR (@VoceroPR) August 3, 2015
Cortijo had been linked to the Dream before the WNBA season.
She had said back in May: "My expectations are to give my best whenever given the chance to play, always representing Puerto Rico at the highest level."
Cortijo revealed she had the Dream opportunity on FaceBook.
She said: "Every effort sooner or later is rewarded.
"I never thought this moment would come.
"I've just been given the opportunity to train with the Atlanta Dream to be their guard.
"Everything is in God's time and we don't know how long this will be.
If they cut me from the team, it doesn't matter. At least I can say that I tried. - Cortijo
"Nothing is impossible."
Cortijo, who averaged more than 15 points per game at the last FIBA Americas Women's Championship, recently said: "Since I was young, I dreamed of playing in the WNBA and to compete in the Olympic Games. They are the two aims that I have as a basketball player."
She is expected to rejoin Puerto Rico for the FIBA Americas Women's Championship, which is to be staged 9-16 August.
The Boricuas play in Group A against Canada, the Dominican Republic, Chile and Cuba.
The side that wins the title will qualify for the Rio de Janeiro Games and the teams that come in second, third and fourth will reach the FIBA Olympic Women's Qualifying Tournament.
Go to fiba.com/Americaswomen2015 for more coverage of the 2015 FIBA Americas Women's Championship.
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