Conde still in dreamland after gold rush
GIRONA (EuroCup Women) – Few players in the history of the women's game can boast the kind of gold rush which has characterized the blossoming career of Spanish star Maria Conde, who is about to take her first EuroCup Women footsteps.
The standout summer signing for Spar Citylift Girona, the winger is back on home soil and eager to transfer the skills and success which have been the hallmark of her youth and NCAA career, into the pro-game.
Her medal haul with Spain swelled even further earlier this year when she won FIBA EuroBasket Women 2017 on her major tournament debut with the senior side in Prague. She then put the cherry on the cake by making the All-Star Five as she signed off her youth career with yet another gold at the FIBA U20 Women's European Championship, in Matosinhos.
Could 2017 have been any better?
"Not in my best dreams," laughed the Florida State graduate.
"I am a person who likes to live in the present quite a lot and who does not usually fantasize or speculate about what might happen in the future - but if I had to imagine a summer like that just a few months ago, I do not know if it would have been so perfect.
"The two medals are the reward for many hours of work."
Even just receiving the call to the senior team for EuroBasket Women was a thrill – let alone the golden outcome.
"It was a very beautiful moment, because as the days pass [during preparation], you see that you are having more possibilities of being able to stay," explained Conde.
"You think you have it practically in your hands, but it wasn't until I spoke with Lucas Mondelo and he confirmed it to me that I actually finished believing. It's one of those moments that you will always have recorded in your mind.
"I also shared a room with Bea Sanchez and we practically learned at the same time that we would both be at FIBA EuroBasket Women, so you can imagine the joy."
It was a rather large tick in the box for her maturity and intensely focused approach to the game – something which now has her destined to be a central figure with the senior side for many years to come. Indeed, next on the agenda is the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup 2018, which will take place in her homeland.
"This will certainly be an extremely beautiful challenge for me," admitted Conde.
"But, as I said before, I am a player who likes to go day-by-day and who does not usually think much beyond that.
"Right now, I am only thinking about the preseason and being able to have the best year possible with Spar CityLift Girona. The World Cup is one more motivation to continue working, but the important thing now is the season.
"When I considered my return to Spain to play Liga Femenina, I was clear that I wanted a team that played two important competitions to be able to have a high number of games with which to continue progressing.
"In addition to the league, we will compete again in a competition as demanding as EuroCup Women and I think it can be a very positive year to continue taking steps forward in my development as a player."
Although the truth is that Conde was almost lost to soccer – something that was her first passion and led to her having trials with Atletico Madrid where her brother was a goalkeeper.
"Well, I will never know what would have happened, or how far I could have gone if I had continued in the football world," mused the 20-year-old.
"But when I made the decision, I made it being very sure of myself, and knowing that I wanted to enjoy basketball.
"I have never regretted it and this sport has always given me many joys and, right now, I would not change it for anything in the world," smiled Conde.
Spar Citylift Girona will compete in Group G against Basket Landes, Lointek Gernika Bizkaia and VBW CEKK Cegled.
FIBA
