Cortijo to live her family's dream

Injured Bellaire star signs to play basketball at Texas

This is why Angel Cortijo moved to the United States.

His daughter, Carla, was the key to helping the Puerto Rican family get a taste of the American dream.

So when Carla signed her letter of intent Wednesday to play basketball at the University of Texas, no one smiled more than Angel, whose wife, Lourdes, and son, Alex, also moved to Houston 15 months ago when Carla enrolled at Bellaire High School.

"This really does make it all worth it," Carla said. "I feel so good that this got done."

Cortijo was one of three Bellaire seniors signing on the first day of the fall signing period. Nakazi Glover signed with the University of Houston, and Blanca Smith signed with Tulsa.

The Chronicle's preseason girls player of the year, Eboni Mangum, became just the third Houston player to sign with longtime power Louisiana Tech, while boys preseason player of the year David Devezin of Fort Bend Marshall signed with Texas A&M.

Gulf Shores Academy, a charter school that competes as an independent, had four boys sign Division I scholarships, including Gerald Green. The 6-8 senior guard, rated as the No. 1 recruit in the country by rivals.com, signed with Oklahoma State.

Carla Cortijo tore a knee ligament this summer. But that did not deter Texas from recruiting the point guard, who led the Cardinals to their first regional tournament last spring.

Cortijo was not the only injured player the Longhorns signed. Texas also signed Cy-Fair post Aubry Cook, a two-time District 16-5A Most Valuable Player who hurt her knee this year.

niki.herbert@chron.com