Mike Cortez
| No. 11 – GlobalPort Batang Pier | |
|---|---|
| Position | Point guard |
| League | PBA |
| Personal information | |
| Born |
November 10, 1980 San Jose, California |
| Nationality | Filipino / American |
| Listed height | 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) |
| Listed weight | 170 lb (77 kg) |
| Career information | |
| High school | Carson (Carson, California) |
| College | De La Salle University |
| PBA draft | 2003 Round: 1 / Pick: 1st overall |
| Selected by the Alaska Aces | |
| Playing career | 2003–present |
| Career history | |
| 2003–2008 | Alaska Aces |
| 2008–2010 | San Miguel Beermen |
| 2010 | Air21 Express |
| 2010–2012 | Barangay Ginebra San Miguel |
| 2012–2013 | Air21 Express |
| 2013–2015 | Meralco Bolts |
| 2015–2016 | Blackwater Elite |
| 2016–present | GlobalPort Batang Pier |
| Career highlights and awards | |
|
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Mike Cortez (born November 10, 1980) is a Filipino-American professional basketball player who currently plays for the GlobalPort Batang Pier in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA). Cortez gained prominence in the amateur ranks for the De La Salle Green Archers in the UAAP and the ICTSI Archers in the Philippine Basketball League. In 2003, he was the first overall pick of Alaska Aces in the 2003 PBA draft.
In 2000, Cortez debuted for the De La Salle Green Archers. With him, veterans Ren-Ren Ritualo and later Mark Cardona, the Green Archers won two of the three UAAP titles from 2000-2002.
He also played in the PBL for the ICTSI Archers, a team composed mostly of DLSU players alongside then University of the East star James Yap. With the two playing together, ICTSI almost won a PBL title in 2001 only to be defeated by the veteran-laiden Shark Energy Drink.
By 2002, Cortez's performance had quickly led to him being considered the top prospect for the PBA. He was included in the mythical 5 in the 2000 and 2002 UAAP season.
After the 2002 UAAP season, Cortez applied for the 2003 PBA draft and was quickly drafted by the Alaska Aces as the top overall pick. By then, he was considered as the successor to Johnny Abarrientos as the team's next big star at the point guard position.
However, he struggled in his first season in the pros with inconsistent performances due to Tim Cone's triangle offense system, and the emphasis on Ali Peek, Don Allado and fellow rookie Brandon Cablay. Despite this development, he was a member of the 2003 PBA Invitational Champions defeating the Coca-Cola Tigers.
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