BRA - Dreaming, hard work pay off for Dantas

PUERTO MONTT (2011 FIBA U19 World Championship for Women) - Damiris Dantas has undoubtedly been the star of the FIBA U19 World Championship for Women so far, leading the tournament in scoring and rebounding, and leading Brazil into the Semi-Finals.

When most people look at Dantas they see natural talent, speed and athleticism. Those close to the Brazilian superstar know this is only part of the story. 
 
"I have been very happy with my form this championship, and this is because of all the hard work we did preparing for it," Dantas said after scoring 23 points and grabbing 17 rebounds against Russia in the Quarter-Finals.

Coach Luis Cicchetto agrees. "She is very strong with her work at training, and (because of this) very strong on the court," he said. "Damiris is a very good player to play around."

Damiris has strong faith that the five months preparation she and the team put in for the world championship will hold them in good stead in their Semi-Final match-up with the USA. "The Americans can play inside with their big pivots, and they are very fast outside too," she said.
 
"It is not too difficult for us though, our team is prepared for tomorrow from the hard work we have done."

While Brazil is an emotional and fearsome unit when firing, ultimately Dantas must have a strong game for the South Americans to defeat the USA and avenge their 43-point loss in last year's FIBA Americas tournament final.

In that game Dantas shot 2/13 and committed seven turnovers, but only a brave person would bet against her firing in Saturday's Semi-Final. Her lowest scoring game this tournament is 15 points, while in all six other games she has scored 19 or more. On the boards, she has not recovered less the nine rebounds in any game.

In her last four games - which included match-ups with France, Australia and Russia - the 192cm Dantas has averaged 24 ppg and 15 rpg, incredible numbers against some of the world's best teams.

Injury aside, there is little question that Dantas will go on to become one of the world's best players. She played at last year's FIBA World Championship for Women at just 17 years of age, and recorded 10 points and 10 rebounds in her first game against Spain.

For a young girl from Sao Paulo though, she is just doing what she has loved most since she first picked up a basketball. "I was 13 years old, and I loved it very much from the start," she said.
 
"I dreamed every night about playing basketball for Brazil."
 


FIBA