Texas women’s basketball signs Penn State transfer Karisma Ortiz

Just a few days after committed to the Texas Longhorns, Penn State transfer guard Karisma Ortiz is officially a member of Karen Aston’s program after signing with the Horns on Thursday.

“I am excited to welcome Karisma to our Texas family. She comes from a winning pedigree, having played for Coach Phillips at Mitty. She understands the game at a very high level,” Aston said, per TexasSports.com. “Our staff and players felt an immediate connection and we are so thrilled that Karisma chose Texas. She will make an immediate impact on our team at the guard position, but also will be the embodiment of a student-athlete here.”

Originally a member of the 2018 class, Ortiz is a former four-star guard out of San Jose (Calif.) Archbishop Mitty, where she guided the program to a 29-1 effort as a senior and an 80-8 record throughout three seasons on varsity. From California, Ortiz traveled all the way across the country to Penn State, where she made 24 starts in 30 appearances last season, averaging 3.6 points and 4.2 assists in 25.4 minutes per game.

In mid-April, however, Ortiz announced her intention to enter the NCAA Transfer Portal. A little more than a month later, on May 18, she pledged to Aston’s program, and has now put pen to paper, officially becoming a Longhorn.

“Karisma will bring to Texas a floor-general mentality, a high basketball I.Q., and the skill set to make an immediate impact,” Archbishop Mitty head coach Sue Phillips said, per UT. “Her quality of character is second to none and her style of play is a great fit for Coach Aston’s system. Karisma is thrilled to be a Longhorn.”

Ortiz will have three seasons of eligibility remaining, and per Rick Cantu of the Austin American-Statesman, she’ll apply for a waiver to become eligible immediately.