Brazil rising star Lopes looks to bounce back at U17 Worlds
SAO PAULO (FIBA U17 Women’s World Championship) – It’s been a memorable and historic year for Geovana Fonseca Lopes and the Brazilian starlet is ready to use it a launch-pad for her global debut at the 2016 FIBA U17 Women’s World Championship.
One of a crop of exciting and burgeoning talents coming through the ranks in her homeland, it seems inconceivable that the towering 1.90 center has been left in the shadows a little – despite playing a central role in a result that shook women’s youth basketball to its very core.
Lopes and her team-mates handed USA their first ever defeat at the 2015 FIBA Americas U16 Women’s Championship, when they recorded an impressively comfortable 72-63 success.
#FIBAU16Americas Semifinal #1: Brazil 72 - 63 USA / Brazil plays CANvsMEX winner for the Gold tomorrow. @CBB_basquete pic.twitter.com/0uakZXc1Sa
— FIBA (@FIBA) June 28, 2015
Her colleagues Obalunanma Ugwu and Izabela Nicolette Leite took the plaudits afer they combined for 44 points, the latter impressing so much that she earned a call-up to the senior team at the subsequent FIBA Americas Women’s Championship.
Lopes certainly did her bit too – commanding the glass and harvesting 13 rebounds. She then bettered her tally with 16 boards in the Final as her team fell agonisingly short 72-71 against Canada.
“It was an unforgettable championship and there is no better feeling than taking down the USA,” she reflected, after a landmark tournament.
Notably, it followed a serious knee injury which had threatened to deny her such an inspirational moment.
“It was eight months away from the court, but the motivation of my family and my team made me stay focused and never give up on playing,” revealed Lopes.
“I was so new to the game, but wondered if I could ever get back onto the court.
“I had only just discovered my love for the sport and it would have been very sad [to have not recovered].”
Brazil are relieved she did.
Even if an injury struck her again at the FIBA South American U17 Women’s Championship in early December. After a couple of familiar powerful displays on the glass, she missed the latter stages.
At least Brazil showed their depth and were able to still ride to the top of the podium, inspired by leading scorer Raphaella Marciano da Silva.
A carioca Raphaella Silva, que foi um dos destaques da Seleção no Sul-Americano Sub-17: https://t.co/zYwo4rUe3a pic.twitter.com/ESByxudvXp
— Basquete Brasil (@basquetebrasil) December 7, 2015
While undoubtedly a setback, Lopes is expected to be back on the court in coming months and ready to head to Spain with some valuable outings already behind her.
“I'm a little more experienced and I know this adds to the decisions I make on the court,” mused Lopes.
“I have been involved in competitions and I am getting more confidence and finding the way to play and to win with more responsibility.
“The pressure can immense, but I'm firm in terms of the goal of being successful with this group.
“My height helps a lot on the rebounds, but have to be smart.
“I look to score steadily and for help from my team-mates so I can do a good job.
“Basketball is a team sport, so one does not do anything without the help of others.”
She added, “My colleagues are always there to help me after my injuries and one good attitude on the court is always is followed by another – so it's all a big team effort.”
With the Olympic Games looming large on the horizon, that sense of unity is likely to permeate stronger than ever throughout Brazil’s various national teams in 2016.
And, if Lopes and her team manage to make a splash in Spain at the FIBA U17 Women’s World Championship, it would be a perfect appetiser ahead of the seniors taking to the hardwood in Rio.
FIBA
