CHICAGO – The UIC women's basketball team has collected its fifth transfer of the offseason, picking up graduate transfer
Crystal Ortiz as announced by head coach
Ashleen Bracey Wednesday afternoon.
The stretch forward will be making her fourth stop in her collegiate career, previously playing at Eastern Oklahoma State College (2020-23), University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma (2023-24) and most recently at Southern Arkansas (2024-25).
"We are thrilled to welcome Crystal to our Women's Basketball program and into our Flames family," Bracey said. "She is an incredible person that aligns with the values of our program, athletics department and university. Crystal brings four years of college playing experience to our roster. Throughout her playing career she has demonstrated consistency in scoring and rebounding. Crystal is committed to helping to continue to build UIC into a championship caliber program and is an incredible addition to our team."
Last season with the Muleriders, Ortiz started every single game, averaging 29 minutes a game. She was third on the team in points (9.8) and second in rebounds (6.0). Across the 29 games played, Ortiz collected a dozen games in double figures, including three of those games with 20-plus points. Her best weekend of basketball came on the weekend of Feb. 27, when she collected back-to-back doubles for the Muleriders. She began the weekend with a 24-point, 10-rebound performance in Southern Arkansas' 70-61 win over Ouachita Baptist. She followed that up with 20 points and 10 boards in Southern Arkansas' victory over Arkansas Tech on March 1, 68-60.
In her lone season at the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma, Ortiz played in all 29 games for the Drovers, starting in 23 games. She averaged 10.1 points and 6.3 rebounds in her tenure, scoring in double figures in 12 of the past 13 games enroute to earning All-Sooner Athletic Conference Honorable Mention. Ortiz's best game in a Drover uniform came in the home season finale (Feb. 24, 2024) against Langston, scoring 23 points and grabbing 12 rebounds In the 83-73 victory.
In her three seasons at Eastern Oklahoma State College, Ortiz suited up for 80 games, collecting 57 starts. In her final season with the Mountaineers, she averaged 16.2 points and 6.7 rebounds per game enroute to earning First Team All-Region Two honors. In her freshman year, Ortiz contributed to the Mountaineers securing the 2021 National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Region 2 Championship and a berth into the NJCAA National Tournament. She finished her time in Wilburton, Oklah. with 1,054 total points
, 450 total rebounds and 33 blocks with the Mountaineers.
Growing up in Sallisaw, Oklah. Ortiz attended Central High School (2016-20) and competed on the varsity women's basketball team during her tenure.
Ortiz is the fifth student-athlete to join the UIC women's basketball team, joining
Jessica Carrothers, Amelia Strong, Samantha Serrano and Jaya McClure.
For more information on UIC women's basketball, fans are encouraged to visit
UICFlames.com, or follow the Flames on social media through X
(@UIC_WBB and
@UICFlames) and Instagram
(@uic_wbb and
@uicflames).
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