Laura Ortega joined the Buccaneer women's basketball program prior to the 2023-24 basketball season. Prior to that, Ortega was a member of the Highland Community College team that won an NJCAA Region IV Championship.
 
A native of San Fernando, Spain, Ortega's journey to Charleston Southern was different from most athletes. She had to persevere from the very beginning of her college career, having come to America for basketball in 2021 without knowing any English and jumping right into a Public Speaking class.
 
"Success isn't about just skill. It is about hard work, believing in yourself when no one else does and giving your best every day," Ortega says in a letter to her younger self.
 
Ortega comes from a basketball family, as her parents own a basketball club in Spain, which both of her brothers play for. Both of her parents, her aunt and uncle also played professionally in Spain. She has appeared in five games this season for Charleston Southern, including in a game against LSU where she picked up her first-career assist and pulled down two rebounds.
 
"Being at CSU has changed [me] in ways that [I] have never expected. It has helped [me] who [I] am and what [I] want in life."
 
Head Coach Clarisse White on Laura Ortega:
"[Laura] is one of the most invested and best teammates I have had the privilege to coach.  She has such a positive outlook and brings so much joy to our program. She has a can-do attitude and really motivates our team to play their hearts out."
 
Ortega will be one of four members of the 2024-25 Charleston Southern women's basketball team that will be recognized prior to Saturday's game against Radford set to tip off at 2:00 PM inside the Buc Dome.