Spain names 12-player squad for Women's World Cup in Berlin
Spain women's basketball head coach Miguel Mendez has announced the final 12-player roster for the World Cup in Berlin, leaving out Ainhoa Ajuzo and Maria Araujo.
Spain's women's national basketball team head coach Miguel Mendez announced on Monday, August 31, the list of 12 players who will represent the country at the Women's World Cup in Berlin. Spanish media have reacted positively to the selection, noting that the coach managed to bring together nearly all of the country's strongest players. Ainhoa Ajuzo and Maria Araujo did not make the final cut.
Squad breakdown by position
Playmaking duties will fall to Maite Cazorla of USK Praha and Mariona Ortiz of Zaragoza, with Valencia Basket's Elena Buenavida available as an experienced backup. The wing positions will also include guards Iyana Martin and Alicia Florez.
The small forward spot is particularly well stocked, with playing time shared between Maria Conde, Helena Pueyo and longtime national team leader Alba Torrens. At power forward, Spain will field Raquel Carrera, who plays for both Valencia Basket and WNBA side New York Liberty, along with Paula Ginzo of the Czech club Zabiny Brno.
At center, the squad features two players of differing backgrounds — Spanish-born Awa Fam, who has Senegalese roots, and naturalized American Megan Gustafson. Several of the selected players also compete in the WNBA, including for Seattle Storm, Portland Fire and Washington Mystics.
The team at the World Cup will be led by head coach Miguel Mendez, assisted by coaches Cristina Cantero, Raquel Romo and Anna Montanana, while physical preparation will be overseen by fitness coach Oscar Viana.
