The Catalan point guard was one of the main protagonists in the Aragonese team’s victory and recorded an impressive 15 assists. The historic figure placed her among the best marks in European competition, making her the third player to record the most assists in a single game. Ortiz handed out six assists in the first quarter and had nine by halftime before completing a performance in which her court vision and connection with Merritt Hempe proved decisive.
In addition to her outstanding playmaking, the captain played an important role in Casademont’s late comeback. In the final seconds of regulation, the Rojillas captain found a path to the basket for a layup that brought the Aragonese side within two points and breathed life into a comeback that had seemed impossible. Carlos Cantero’s team subsequently forced overtime and sealed a hugely valuable victory in its European debut.
THE OTHER NOMINEES
Ortiz shares the list of nominees with Coline Franchelin of France’s Flammes Carolo; Trinity San Antonio of Basket Landes; Stephanie Mavunga of Turkey’s Emlak Konut; and Brianna Fraser, a former Casademont player who stood out for USK Prague in the victory over Bourges Basket. Fraser scored 21 points, making nine of 11 shots, while also recording four rebounds, three assists and two blocks.
