Helena Pueyo was chosen by the Connecticut Solar within the second spherical of the 2024 WNBA Draft. Born and raised in Spain, she moved to Arizona in 2019 to play for the College of Arizona Wildcats. Final season, her first as a starter, she averaged 9.7 factors, 3.6 assists and three.2 steals per sport. She received’t be suiting up for the Solar this season, however she’ll play for Zaragoza, top-of-the-line groups in Europe.
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What had been your basketball beginnings in Mallorca? That’s a fantastic place to dwell in or go to, however is there a basketball tradition there?
I began enjoying basketball when i used to be 3-4 years outdated at my college as a result of my older brother was enjoying too, so I wished to strive. And I performed at my college La Salle for round 12 years. Mallorca doesn’t have lots of basketball tradition; [it] just isn’t a spot identified for basketball.
How had been you recruited by the Arizona Wildcats? Did the transfer to the US take lots of convincing?
I used to be being recruited by the Arizona Wildcats whereas I used to be enjoying basketball in Barcelona, the 12 months earlier than i used to be supposed to begin faculty. They had been sending lots of movies, footage and every little thing to indicate me who they’re, their tradition and the way they play and why they wished me. It was a protracted course of as a result of I had totally different choices from totally different colleges, too. The transfer to the US, it was laborious due to the language, tradition, basketball…. however I wished to dwell that have, and after a 12 months or two I used to be feeling far more comfy. It’s only a course of that you need to undergo as a result of you’re going distant from house, however on the similar time, it provides you lots of alternatives.
When did you turn out to be a defensive specialist and the way did you good the craft of the steal? What’s your secret?
I actually don’t have a secret for that. Once I was enjoying in Spain, I used to be extra [of] an offensive participant and folks used to inform me that I didn’t know learn how to play protection. And once I went to varsity, we practiced lots and so they centered on all the small print, so I actually wished to indicate that I used to be capable of play protection, too.
You had been picked by the Solar with the twenty second decide within the 2024 WNBA Draft. What did you are feeling? How did you react? Had been there celebrations or did you instantly go to the fitness center and work?
Once I noticed my identify on the draft, I used to be feeling like a dream come true as a result of it was one thing that I all the time dreamed about. I used to be actually blissful and pleased with all my work throughout faculty. I celebrated the identical day, however after that I stored working and dealing.
Did something shock you in the course of the coaching camp? For those who had been to summarize the expertise, what did you be taught there?
It was an unbelievable expertise the place I met lots of new individuals and professional gamers that I all the time watched on television earlier than. All of the self-discipline that everybody has and the way they work for the sport. They actually work on each single element of the sport and you need to know who’re you enjoying with and in opposition to to seek out the benefit.
What’s subsequent for you after getting a style of the WNBA? Do you propose on giving it a strive subsequent 12 months?
In fact I need to return and take a look at it once more as a result of that’s one in all my desires, [to] play within the WNBA. Taking part in for Zaragoza subsequent 12 months goes to offer me lots of new experiences and realizing the professional leagues that now we have.
