https://football24.news Fri, 16 Apr 2021 00:59:34 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=5.7.1
Raquel Carrera makes history: number 15 in the WNBA draft
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Fri, 16 Apr 2021 00:59:31 +0000
https://football24.news/basketball/238540/raquel-carrera-makes-history-number-15-in-the-wnba-draft-2.html
Raquel Carrera (19 years old and 1.88 meters) has made history in Spanish basketball. The center was selected by Atlanta Dreams in the 15th position (second round): It is the best position ever for a player from our country. Leti Romero and Astou Ndour were the top with number 16.
She was not the only Spanish lucky: Aina Ayusa (20 years and 1.75 meters) It was the big surprise of the night when she was selected in pick 34 by the Los Angeles Sparks. The Catalan base of the Casademont Zaragoza was below the radar. This season, he has averaged 3.9 points and 1.9 assists for a 3.8 PIR. Blanca Millán had no luck and was left out of the 36 chosen.
The Galician and the Catalan become the ninth and the tenth Spanish to be drafted by a North American franchise. Maite Cazorla, Ángela Salvadores and María Conde were the last before her, in 2019. Previously to these three, the aforementioned Romero and Ndour. Nuría Martínez and Alba Torrens were the pioneers together with Amaya Valdemor, the first to be drafted in 1998. In total, 15th Spanish players debuted in the WNBA.
The premiere of Carrera, however, can be complicated by dates: if Valencia reaches the third game of the final of the Women’s League, Endesa would close the season on May 6, eight days before starting a regular phase that would last until on September 19, with a break between July 15 and August 11 for the Olympic Games (the women’s tournament is held from July 25 to August 8). But before the Asian event, the Eurobasket plays: from July 17 to 27, in the middle of the WNBA.
This selection is another chapter in the sweet and meteoric career of Raquel, who already last Sunday, April 11, touched glory in Hungary with both hands. With a cold blood unfit for a girl of her age, gave the first title in its history to Valencia from the personal, with two free throws with one tenth remaining to finish the Eurocup final against the Italian Reyer Venice. They entered clean. There was no shadow of a doubt in her or the ball. “I launched them with more enthusiasm than pressure,” he confessed in an interview with Levante EMV. The Galician had already made her mark in the semifinals: 22 points and 8 rebounds.
Having seen what has been seen, nothing can surprise when it comes to Carrera, who has matured by leaps and bounds. At the age of 13 he left his native Ourense to embark on the Celta Zorka project, where other greats of national basketball such as Alba Torrens, Laura Nicholls, Tamara Abalde and María Araújo gave their first pots. In Vigo, he was close to achieving promotion at the age of 16 … but he ran into the great Valencian project of which he is now a part. In that final she already showed what would come next (and also put fear in the hosts’ bodies) with 11 points and 7 rebounds in 37 minutes of play.
From Galicia to Valencia with a previous step in the Basque Country. The taronjas signed her in the summer of 2019 for five seasons, until 2024, to cede her to Araski last year, the incomplete one due to the pandemic: there she was awarded as the Player with the Greatest Projection of the Endesa Women’s League. “It is a club that only wants to grow. It is a very ambitious project in which I believe I can grow … and also achieve a title, ”said the AS Promesas 2020 Award in December. And he has already achieved it, his first trophy as a Valencian player after remaining at the gates in the Queen’s Cup. One more award after gold and silver with the National Team in the U16 and U18 European Championships. Add up and go on. Unstoppable.
Charli Collier, number 1
Number 1 went to Charli Collier. The four–five from Texas was chosen by Dallas Wings. Also number 2, Awak Kuier: of South Sudanese origin, she was born in Egypt and grew up in Finland, where she took her first steps in basketball. This season he has played in Italy, in the Virtus Eirene Raguse. On the 3rd, in the hands of Atlanta Dreams, he landed at Aari McDonald (pronounced AIR-e, as he remembers), partner of Helena Pueyo and Marta García in Arizona, current NCAA runner-up.
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Raquel Carrera makes history: number 15 in the WNBA draft
https://football24.news/wnba/238490/raquel-carrera-makes-history-number-15-in-the-wnba-draft.html https://football24.news/wnba/238490/raquel-carrera-makes-history-number-15-in-the-wnba-draft.html#respond
Fri, 16 Apr 2021 00:45:53 +0000
https://football24.news/wnba/238490/raquel-carrera-makes-history-number-15-in-the-wnba-draft.html
Raquel Carrera (19 years old and 1.88 meters) has made history in Spanish basketball. The center was selected by Atlanta Dreams in the 15th position (second round): It is the best position ever for a player from our country. Leti Romero and Astou Ndour were the top with number 16.
The Galician becomes the ninth Spanish drafted by a North American franchise. Maite Cazorla, Ángela Salvadores and María Conde were the last before her, in 2019. Previously to these three, the aforementioned Romero and Ndour. Nuría Martínez and Alba Torrens were the pioneers together with Amaya Valdemor, the first to be drafted in 1998. If the Valencia player decides to make the leap, she would become the 16th Spanish player to debut.
This selection is another chapter in the sweet and meteoric career of Raquel, who already last Sunday, April 11, touched glory in Hungary with both hands. With a cold blood unfit for a girl of her age, gave the first title in its history to Valencia from the personal, with two free throws with one tenth remaining to finish the Eurocup final against the Italian Reyer Venice. They entered clean. There was no shadow of a doubt in her or the ball. “I launched them with more enthusiasm than pressure,” he confessed in an interview with Levante EMV. The Galician had already made her mark in the semifinals: 22 points and 8 rebounds.
Having seen what has been seen, nothing can surprise when it comes to Carrera, who has matured by leaps and bounds. At the age of 13 he left his native Ourense to embark on the Celta Zorka project, where other greats of national basketball such as Alba Torrens, Laura Nicholls, Tamara Abalde and María Araújo gave their first pots. In Vigo, he was close to achieving promotion at the age of 16 … but he ran into the great Valencian project of which he is now a part. In that final she already showed what would come next (and also put fear in the hosts’ bodies) with 11 points and 7 rebounds in 37 minutes of play.
From Galicia to Valencia with a previous step in the Basque Country. The taronjas signed her in the summer of 2019 for five seasons, until 2024, to cede her to Araski last year, the incomplete one due to the pandemic: there she was awarded as the Player with the Greatest Projection of the Endesa Women’s League. “It is a club that only wants to grow. It is a very ambitious project in which I believe I can grow … and also achieve a title, ”said the AS Promesas 2020 Award in December. And he has already achieved it, his first trophy as a Valencian player after remaining at the gates in the Queen’s Cup. One more award after gold and silver with the National Team in the U16 and U18 European Championships. Add up and go on. Unstoppable.
Charli Collier, number 1
Number 1 went to Charli Collier. The four–five from Texas was chosen by Dallas Wings. Also number 2, Awak Kuier: of South Sudanese origin, she was born in Egypt and grew up in Finland, where she took her first steps in basketball. This season he has played in Italy, in the Virtus Eirene Raguse. On the 3rd, in the hands of Atlanta Dreams, he landed at Aari McDonald (pronounced AIR-e, as he remembers), partner of Helena Pueyo and Marta García in Arizona, current NCAA runner-up.
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The WNBA sets its eyes on Raquel Carrera
https://football24.news/wnba/236912/the-wnba-sets-its-eyes-on-raquel-carrera-2.html https://football24.news/wnba/236912/the-wnba-sets-its-eyes-on-raquel-carrera-2.html#respond
Thu, 15 Apr 2021 18:04:45 +0000
https://football24.news/wnba/236912/the-wnba-sets-its-eyes-on-raquel-carrera-2.html
Raquel Carrera (19 years old and 1.88 meters) has lived in a cloud since last Sunday, April 11. With an improper cold blood for a girl of her age, she gave the first title in its history to Valencia from the personal, with two free throws with one tenth remaining to finish the Eurocup final against the Italian Reyer Venice. They entered clean. There was no shadow of a doubt in her or the ball. “I launched them with more enthusiasm than pressure,” he confessed in an interview with Levante EMV. The Galician had already made her mark in the semifinals: 22 points and 8 rebounds.
It was another chapter in a sweet and meteoric career that can continue this morning from Thursday to Friday, at 01:00, with the WNBA draft. The mock draft (forecasts) of the North American League place it in the third round: ESPN in 25th place; Swish Appeal, at 30; and Sport Media Pass and Lines, at 35.
It would be the ninth Spanish to be elected. Maite Cazorla, Ángela Salvadores and María Conde were the last, in 2019. Leticia Romero and Astou Ndour were the ones that reached the highest: 16th position. Nuría Martínez and Alba Torrens were the pioneers together with Amaya Valdemor, the first to be drafted in 1998. If she decided to make the leap, she would become the 16th Spanish player to debut.
Last years
Having seen what has been seen, nothing can be surprising when it comes to Carrera, who has matured by leaps and bounds. At the age of 13 he left his native Ourense to embark on the Celta Zorka project, where other national basketball greats such as Alba Torrens, Laura Nicholls, Tamara Abalde and María Araújo gave their first pots. In Vigo, he was close to achieving promotion at the age of 16 … but he ran into the great Valencian project of which he is now a part. In that final she already showed what would come next (and also put fear in the hosts’ bodies) with 11 points and 7 rebounds in 37 minutes of play.
From Galicia to Valencia with a previous step in the Basque Country. The taronjas signed her in the summer of 2019 for five seasons, until 2024, to cede her to Araski last year, the incomplete one due to the pandemic: there she was awarded as the Player with the Most Projection of the Endesa Women’s League. “It is a club that only wants to grow. It is a very ambitious project in which I think I can grow … and also achieve a degree”Said the 2020 AS Promises Award in December. And he has already achieved it, his first trophy as a Valencian player after remaining at the gates in the Copa de la Reina. One more award after gold and silver with the National Team in the U16 and U18 European Championships. Add up and go on. Unstoppable.
Blanca Millán also in the draft
Your adventure in the WNBA may not be alone: Blanca Millán. The 23-year-old, 1.79-meter forward is 20th for Lines. Trained in the Peleteiro, the also, who has studied the career of physiotherapist, was once again named the best player and the best defender of the America East conference this season, a double achievement that she already achieved in 2019, with the University of Maine.
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The WNBA sets its eyes on Raquel Carrera
https://football24.news/wnba/235125/the-wnba-sets-its-eyes-on-raquel-carrera.html https://football24.news/wnba/235125/the-wnba-sets-its-eyes-on-raquel-carrera.html#respond
Thu, 15 Apr 2021 09:58:09 +0000
https://football24.news/wnba/235125/the-wnba-sets-its-eyes-on-raquel-carrera.html
Raquel Carrera (19 years old and 1.88 meters) has lived in a cloud since last Sunday, April 11. With an improper cold blood for a girl of her age, she gave the first title in its history to Valencia from the personal, with two free throws with one tenth remaining to finish the Eurocup final against the Italian Reyer Venice. They entered clean. There was no shadow of a doubt in her or the ball. “I launched them with more enthusiasm than pressure,” he confessed in an interview with Levante EMV. The Galician had already made her mark in the semifinals: 22 points and 8 rebounds.
It was another chapter in a sweet and meteoric career that can continue this morning from Thursday to Friday, at 01:00, with the WNBA draft. The mock draft (forecasts) of the North American League place it in the third round: ESPN in 25th place; Swish Appeal, at 30; and Sport Media Pass and Lines, at 35.
It would be the ninth Spanish to be elected. Maite Cazorla, Ángela Salvadores and María Conde were the last, in 2019. Leticia Romero and Astou Ndour were the ones that reached the highest: 16th position. Nuría Martínez and Alba Torrens were the pioneers together with Amaya Valdemor, the first to be drafted in 1998. If she decided to make the leap, she would become the 16th Spanish player to debut.
Last years
Having seen what has been seen, nothing can be surprising when it comes to Carrera, who has matured by leaps and bounds. At the age of 13, he left his native Ourense to embark on the Celta Zorka project, where other national basketball greats such as Alba Torrens, Laura Nicholls, Tamara Abalde and María Araújo gave their first pots. In Vigo, he was close to achieving promotion at the age of 16 … but he ran into the great Valencian project of which he is now a part. In that final she already showed what would come next (and also put fear in the hosts’ bodies) with 11 points and 7 rebounds in 37 minutes of play.
From Galicia to Valencia with a previous step in the Basque Country. The taronjas signed her in the summer of 2019 for five seasons, until 2024, to cede her to Araski last year, the incomplete one due to the pandemic: there she was awarded as the Player with the Most Projection of the Endesa Women’s League. “It is a club that only wants to grow. It is a very ambitious project in which I think I can grow … and also achieve a degree”Stated the 2020 AS Promises Award in December. And he has already achieved it, his first trophy as a Valencian player after remaining at the gates in the Copa de la Reina. One more award after gold and silver with the National Team in the U16 and U18 European Championships. Add up and go on. Unstoppable.
Blanca Millán also in the draft
Your adventure in the WNBA may not be alone: Blanca Millán. The 23-year-old, 1.79-meter forward is 20th for Lines. Trained in the Peleteiro, the also, who has studied the career of physiotherapist, was once again named the best player and the best defender of the America East conference this season, a double achievement that she already achieved in 2019, with the University of Maine.
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Raquel Carrera falls in love in Europe
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Tue, 13 Apr 2021 20:49:29 +0000
https://football24.news/basketball/228954/raquel-carrera-falls-in-love-in-europe.html
The process of growth and confirmation of a player of the future must be carved with the precise doses of the present and a lot of work. In the life of Raquel Carrera (Ourense, 2001) everything has been simmering, with the support of a family that has allowed her to choose and has always advised her well.
Both Luis Carrera and Isabel Quintana are aware that their daughter is a diamond that has been polished with precision since she left the family home at the age of 13. Although he tried other sports in his childhood such as handball, dance or rhythmic gymnastics, basketball caught him or fell in love with him. His first baskets at the San José de Ourense school did not go unnoticed. The girl Raquel grew a lot and in the process of stretching, she is currently 190 centimeters tall, in Vigo they opened the door for her.
At Celta, one of the clubs that best takes care of the quarry and, under the guidance of Cristina Cantero, began to impose its law in the Women’s League 2. And the calls came with the Spanish team and the U17 World Cup when he was only 14 years old. His track record began to grow: a gold and a silver in the European Under-16 and Under-18 Championships. The Carrera girl was the object of desire of American universities and teams in Women’s League.
The Galician decided to complete her four years in the Vigo project and accept the dizzying offer of 5 years that Valencia Basket put on the table. Even in that contract it was smart, choosing to play on loan for one year in Vitoria, in a team like Araski. His year in the green club was confirmation. He got down to work on individual work, on improving his game with his back to the basket, even in his way of running to avoid injuries. Hence the affectionate nickname of ‘Caballito’ with which her companions baptized the youngest of the group in the 2019-20 season. It was the best course in the history of the Vitoria club with a key player; Raquel Carrera. He came of age in a suitable place, embroidering his progression in the Copa de la Reina de Salamanca where his leadership on the track was recognized and applauded. In Valencia they rubbed their hands.
After maturing in Vitoria, he has not been out of place in a team built to win everything
It is difficult for a 19-year-old ‘rookie’ to earn the minutes in a team made to win, but the Galician has not out of tune with Cristina Ouviña, Queralt Casas, Laura Gil, Rebecca Allen or captain Anna Gómez. His contribution to the Eurocup has been vital. So much so that on the last play of the final against Reyer Venezia, with one second and two tenths to go, Queralt Casas looked for her, in the middle of the area where his long arms were hungry for the ball. He received a foul, they decreed two free throws in the act of shooting and his hand did not tremble to execute with improper parsimony the two launches that were worth a continental title.
Dreamed ending
«I did the best I could during the match. Now it’s time to enjoy. It’s exciting to win a European title like this“He explained after playing glory at the Hungarian Szekszardi Sports Center. Her competitive spirit led her to be the most reliable player for her coach Rubén Burgos. In the semifinal against Carolo Basket, he had 22 points, 8 rebounds and a PIR of 27 in 29 minutes. In the final, he played 32 minutes, with 13 points and 4 rebounds. From his hand, a title with an emotional value of enormous dimension when one remembers that Dorna Godella of the late Serbian coach Miki Vukovic who with two titles of the Women’s European Cup in 1992 and 1993 that put Valencia on the map of the best women’s basketball international.
A summer of confirmations awaits the young Raquel Carrera. After conquering Europe with his club, now the goal is to conquer the world with the Spanish team, both at the Eurobasket and at the Tokyo Olympics. It seems that Lucas Mondelo has it clear.
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Raquel Carrera, the greatest exponent of the great quarry of Spanish basketball: these are her pearls of tomorrow
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Tue, 13 Apr 2021 12:14:35 +0000
https://football24.news/basketball/227183/raquel-carrera-the-greatest-exponent-of-the-great-quarry-of-spanish-basketball-these-are-her-pearls-of-tomorrow.html
EThe name of Raquel Carrera has finished settling in the elite of Spanish basketball, confirming a meteoric trajectory in the lower categories and demonstrating the good health of the national quarry. A future in which the success achieved in recent years by the senior team seems to have continuity thanks to names such as the Valencia player, Helena Pueyo, Mama Dembele or Nerea Hermosa. Names that invite optimism to continue seeing Spain as one of the great powers of the international concert. But there is more, much more than them.
RAQUEL CARRERA, A REALITY THAT ALREADY WINS TITLES
Long ago he left behind the poster of promise to be one of the great realities of Spanish basketball. At 19 he has already made his debut in a call-up of the Lucas Mondelo team and has become the great interior reference of his generation. Since the paint each time it is expanding its range to more open positions, being a threat also from 6.75. He stands out for his intelligence on the court and for his versatility thanks to an extraordinary mobility for someone of his size: “His mix of genetics and head make him unique. There has not been an inside player like that in Spain, someone so great that he does so many things”, Carlos Colinas explained in a recent report on MARCA.
HELENA PUEYO HAS MADE HISTORY IN THE NCAA
He has become one of the proper names of the Spanish legion in the NCAA after reaching the final with Arizona State along with Marta Garca. Pueyo has been the protagonist in the great season of the Wildcats with which he has averaged 5.4 points with 37.8% from the triple and 1.7 assists in his two campaigns with the University of Arizona and being a protagonist in the semifinals of this season against UConn. The Balearic player stands out for her versatility and for her physical characteristics and knowledge of the game, she can occupy almost any position on the court, although she excels in the outside game thanks to her good long-distance shooting.
MAMA DEMBELE, AN ‘ALL STAR’ PLAYER
The 19-year-old point guard already knows what it’s like to shine among the best of her generation. The player born in Manlleu drew the attention of the scouts of Basketball Without Borders, the international campus that the NBA celebrates during the All Star. There the Catalan player drew attention for her defensive ability, her physique and her speed, which allowed her to signing for the University of Missouri with which he has played his first season in which he has averaged 3.4 points and 2.7 assists in the 22 games he has played with the Tigers. She is evolving in the control of the game and direction, as well as in the shooting of three, aspects in which she must continue to influence to become this differential player that she can become.
PAULA FRAILE, ANOTHER ROOF FOR SPAA
Together with Dembele he was at the All Star in Chicago representing the Spanish quarry of which he is one of the roofs with his 1.93. He has missed his first season with the Miami Hurricanes due to injury. However, he already attracted attention last season with 18 years in Segle XXI of Liga Femenina 2 with which he averaged 5.4 rebounds and five points. He is still in the process of controlling his body, which generates some instability in the reception in movement and in the actions with his back to the basket. Run and finish the counterattack very well. And in defense he changes many shots for his size and very important in the rebound.
TXELL ALARCN, LDER OF AN ENTIRE GENERATION
The 17-year-old junior, trained in Sant Adri, has been one of the leading stars of the season in the Endesa Women’s League in the ranks of Campus Promete. She has been uncovered as one of the best shooters in the championship, averaging more than 15 minutes per game and more than 56% correct from the triple and reached up to 58% correct. A real outrage that speaks of the impudence of an escort who dominates many aspects of the game: a good shooter, a good defender, she can help in situations of pressure on the ball. Very mature in decision-making and with a great work ethic and commitment.
ELENA BUENDA, A GIANT TWO ‘OLDER’
Awarded by Gigantes as one of the revelations of the national scene in 2020, Buenda is a benchmark for her generation for her offensive ability and the leadership she transmits to her teammates on the field. A leadership ability that has also shown with her elders as she did in the 2019 U16 European Championship, standing out among players older than her. She is a highly skilled player with the ball in her hands and a speed that allows her to be very vertical when playing and overflow in one on one. He has made a very good evolution to outside positions, improving every day his percentages in the outside shots.
CRISTINA MATO AND BEGOA DE SANTIAGO, APPLIED STUDENTS
Two players from the prolific Movistar Estudiantes quarry, which has already had one of them in the first team this season in the Endesa Women’s League. De Santiago has been part of Alberto Ortega’s squad and has confirmed her lineup as a talented player and a very good shot of three, as well as a good reading in the direct blocking game. For her part, Mato is another of the important players of the generation, with a defensive profile of intensity, anticipation and finishing very effectively.
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Hospitalized because of Covid-19, in intensive care and intubated, is how the first actress and singer Raquel Olmedo is, as reported through her social networks, her friend the singer Lolita de la Colina.
It was from the early hours of this Thursday, when the news broke that Raquel Olmedo had to be hospitalized after presenting problems derived from the coronavirus.
Moments later, de la Colina confirmed the news after a publication she made on her Facebook account, which, despite the fact that she deleted it hours later, revealed that the 83-year-old actress was in intensive care and that she had to be connected to a mechanical ventilator.
“My great friend Raquel Olmedo has been admitted to a Hospital in Mexico City. With COVID. Her real name is Anisia Xiomara Orama Leal, She is in tubed intensive care… If anyone can find out about Raquel, please call me in Miami, Florida. 305-444-8892. “
However, minutes later, Lolita herself wrote two more posts; In the first, he announced that the actress is improving, while in another he asked the press for respect and reported that so far, there has been no more information.
“I just spoke with Mexico and in the most recent report the doctor says that Raquel is improving … that she is able to breathe better, and that they will be communicating daily … XIOMA … we have to record a new song.”
“I ask my friends in the press not to speak to me … there is nothing more to say at the moment. I’ll keep you posted via my Facebook as soon as I have parts of Raquel. Hopefully he continues to take steps to improve … Minutes later, he confirmed that the actress was out of her tubes.
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It is important to mention that Siomara Anicia Orama Leal, better known as Raquel Olmedo, is originally from Caibarién, Las Villas, Cuba; She was born on December 30, 1937 and is recognized for her work as a Mexican actress and singer of Cuban origin.
Her career began in her native Cuba before emigrating to Mexico after the Cuban Revolution of 1959 and at the beginning she was an opera singer, although later life took her to the world of soap operas and cinema.
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Raquel Carrera, the future is here | sports
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Fri, 05 Mar 2021 21:17:06 +0000
https://football24.news/basketball/108335/raquel-carrera-the-future-is-here-sports.html
The Spanish team closed the past decade as the country with the most medals won in the FIBA training championships (42), ahead of the United States (31), Australia (27) and France (26). In total, 19 podiums for the men’s teams and 23 for the women’s teams, 12 of them with gold around their neck. In 2016, Raquel Carrera played her first World Cup at the age of 14, among 17-year-old girls, and, shortly after, she achieved the first gold of her record. This weekend, in the Copa de la Reina, the Galician player, 19 years old and 1.90m, is looking for her first title with Valencia while applying with force to be with the senior team in the Eurobasket and the Games of this summer after its brilliant evolution.
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“I have been assimilating everything naturally. Everything is coming in due time and I hope that many more things will continue to arrive. The key to everything is to work and work hard, “says Carrera from Valencia, in the midst of the fight for the Queen’s Cup – today the semifinals are held: Uni Girona-Perfumerías Avenida (13.00, Tdp) and XXXXX-XXXX (17.00, Tdp ) -, with a mature and humble speech, oblivious to the expectations that place her as the player with the greatest projection in Spanish women’s basketball. “I have always had the responsibility. The idea is to continue growing and training in the sport that I am passionate about. And the key is that the illusion is always above the pressure. I cannot get frustrated or excited based on people’s expectations ”, points out the center from Ourense, who, after passing the selectivity last year, is now studying a nutrition degree, with the prospect of pursuing a degree in physiotherapy.
“My mother got it into my head from a very young age that I had to study. That he played basketball or whatever he wanted, but that he studied, to be someone of benefit, “says Raquel when she reviews her young biography. A path that soon led her to basketball. “I had tried handball, dance, rhythmic gymnastics… but basketball was what hooked me. My friends also played basketball and it was where I most enjoyed the camaraderie, the team concept, the collective emotion, ”she continues. His first baskets were at the Colegio de San José, his school in Ourense. Soon came the stretch and the first turning point: leaving home at the age of 13 to develop his talent at Celta de Vigo, one of the best quarries in Spanish basketball.
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Carlos Colinas, technical director of the team where Alba Torrens, Laura Nicholls, Tamara Abalde and María Araujo grew up, recalls the impression that little Raquel Carrera made on him. “With her minibasket team in Ourense, at just 11 years old, you could see that she was a very smart girl on the track, she stood out for her competitive instinct. We gave her scholarships for her training, we signed her and she made her debut in Liga Femenina 2 at the age of 14 ”, Colinas reviews, before listing the characteristics that have driven her rapid projection. “From very early on it was seen that she was a special player. The naturalness with which he deals with everything is surprising. In Spain there has never been a player so great who contributes so much and has such an impact on the game, none. He has a tremendous defensive performance, he arrives a second before everything. She bounces, scores, steals, assists, makes her teammates better … She has a sixth sense for the game and the desire to want to be a basketball player, ”emphasizes Celta’s technical director, who also experienced first-hand the second crossing of Career paths.
“In her third year with us in Vigo, everything was called from American universities and from Spanish League 1 clubs. But she was always clear that she had come to complete a four-year cycle. Someone who is not very mature is not capable of managing that bombing as she managed it, ”says Colinas. “She has a very great capacity for concentration in the competition and that allows her to carry everything naturally. He transforms in the face of challenges and enjoys what he does a lot. She is a brutal competitor ”, he completes.
Finally, Carrera opted for the stability of the five-year project offered by Valencia Basket – the first of which was transferred to Araski de Vitoria to progressively forge himself into the elite. A decision supported by José Ignacio Hernández, former coach and current technical director of the women’s teams. “Not everything is the United States. Being in the Women’s League since the age of 18 means playing at a competitive level much higher than that of the players who are in the American university league. The NCAA would be too small for him. It has succeeded in that, because it has quickly consolidated its evolution, we refer to the tests ”, he points out. If a gap is made between the final 12 for the Eurobasket and the Games, she will not have that role of the young player who arrives to gain experience. It will contribute from the beginning. The ceiling is going to mark her and she has an enormous capacity to work to go far ”, adds Hernández.
His coach at Valencia Basket, Rubén Burgos, confirms Carrera’s competitive maturity. “It is a great project for the future, but it is already a great reality. With her we have never looked at the days and in the selection they will not do it either. It has always been up to the challenge that has been placed before it and now it is being that way. It was born for this ”, closes the technician. “When I grow up I would like to be a basketball player,” completes Raquel, laughing, between innocence and unlimited ambition. The future is here. Her name is Raquel Carrera.