Gigantes de Carolina retire Carla Cortijo's jersey
The former point guard, a four-time champion with the team and the first Puerto Rico-developed player in the WNBA, became the second person to have her number retired by the franchise.
PhotoThe short version
- Metro Puerto Rico reported that the Municipality of Carolina and Gigantes de Carolina retired Carla Cortijo's jersey in recognition of her career including four BSNF titles and her WNBA milestone
- The ceremony titled "8 razones, un legado" took place on Sunday night during a game against Explosivas de Moca at Coliseo Guillermo Angulo, according to Primera Hora
- Carolina Mayor José Carlos Aponte called Cortijo one of the great figures in Puerto Rican sport who has represented the city and island with extraordinary pride
- Cortijo is the second Gigantes figure to have her jersey retired and displayed permanently alongside Rodsan Rodríguez's, Metro Puerto Rico and NotiCel reported
Ceremony honors four-time champion
The Gigantes de Carolina and the Municipality of Carolina retired the jersey of Carla Cortijo Sánchez during a ceremony on Sunday night. The event, titled “8 razones, un legado,” occurred at the Coliseo Guillermo Angulo in Carolina during the team’s game against the Explosivas de Moca. Primera Hora reported
Cortijo contributed to the national championships of 2012, 2014, 2015 and 2016 with Carolina. She was named Most Valuable Player of the finals in 2014 and 2015. Internationally, she helped Puerto Rico win gold at the 2011 Pan American Games in Guadalajara, recording 29 points, six rebounds and 10 assists in the final. Metro Puerto Rico reported
In a press statement, Gigantes co-owner Claudia Ramos Zorrilla said the retirement recognizes more than a playing career. Cortijo currently serves as co-owner of the Gigantes. Primera Hora reported
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What the sources posted
Posts and statements below are the sources' own words, quoted as published. They are not independently verified.
Carla Cortijo es una de las grandes figuras que ha dado nuestro deporte y una atleta que siempre ha representado a Carolina y a Puerto Rico con un orgullo extraordinario.
Our translation: Carla Cortijo is one of the great figures that our sport has produced and an athlete who has always represented Carolina and Puerto Rico with extraordinary pride.
The source's own statement, as quoted by Metro Puerto Rico. Not verified by PuertoRico.com.
Hay números que identifican a una jugadora, y hay otros que se convierten en historia. Con el retiro del número 8, Las Gigantes reconocemos mucho más que una carrera deportiva: celebramos a una pionera cuyo legado trasciende la cancha y continúa inspirando a nuevas generaciones.
Our translation: There are numbers that identify a player, and others that become history. With the retirement of number 8, the Gigantes recognize much more than a sports career: we celebrate a pioneer whose legacy transcends the court and continues to inspire new generations.
The source's own statement, as quoted by Primera Hora. Not verified by PuertoRico.com.
Career highlights and current role
Cortijo played college basketball for four seasons at the University of Texas in NCAA Division I before joining the Atlanta Dream for the 2015 and 2016 WNBA seasons. She became the first Puerto Rican woman developed on the island to play in the WNBA. In 2025 she was inducted into the Puerto Rican Sports Hall of Fame as the only woman in her class. NotiCel reported
Outside of playing, Cortijo has worked with youth through the Carolina municipal Department of Recreation and Sports. She is currently co-owner of the Gigantes. The retirement recognizes her contributions to the franchise’s titles and to the development of women’s basketball in Puerto Rico. Metro Puerto Rico reported
Where the sources differ
All three sources agree that Carla Cortijo's jersey was retired by the Gigantes de Carolina and the Municipality of Carolina, that she won four championships with the team (2012, 2014, 2015, 2016), that she was the first Puerto Rico-developed player in the WNBA, and that she is the second person to receive this honor after Rodsan Rodríguez. Metro Puerto Rico and NotiCel report four championships while Primera Hora says three. Primera Hora alone reports the ceremony title “8 razones, un legado,” the video shown, the special uniforms with the name Cortijo, and the full quote from owner Claudia Ramos Zorrilla. Metro Puerto Rico and NotiCel include the full quote from Mayor José Carlos Aponte and details of her international medals and college career at Texas.
What the reports do not say
The reports do not specify the exact date of the Sunday night game beyond the published dates of October 26, 2026, nor do they give attendance figures or describe the final score of the match against Explosivas de Moca. They also do not detail what will happen at future games to honor the retired jersey or whether additional events are planned.
Sources
Every link below was opened and checked when this story was published. Official means a government body, agency or the organization itself; Reporting means a news outlet.
- Official Las Gigantes de Carolina rinden honor a Carla Cortijo
- Reporting Gigantes de Carolina retiran la camisa de Carla Cortijo
- Reporting Gigantes retiran la camiseta de Carla Cortijo
How we checked this
Metro Puerto Rico, Primera Hora and NotiCel all covered the jersey retirement of Carla Cortijo by the Gigantes de Carolina. The mayor’s statement appears in Metro Puerto Rico and NotiCel while the owner’s statement and ceremony specifics rest solely on Primera Hora.
Compiled by the PuertoRico.com News Desk from the reports and statements listed above, and checked against them before publishing. It does not include original interviews. Spot an error? Email support@puertorico.com with a link to this story.
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