BRA - Karen determined to make her mark

SAO PAULO (South American Championship for Women) – Karen Gustavo Rocha wants to become a key player for Brazil after receiving her first call-up to the national team.

In an interview with the Brazilian Basketball Confederation (CBB), Karen showed her desire to impress in the upcoming FIBA South American Championship for Women, to be held in Paraguay from August 1-5.
 
Basketball runs in the family for the 22-year-old, who was a member of the team that were runners-up in the 2003 Under-21 World Championship in Croatia and is one of the new generation of women players coming through for Brazil.

She started playing at 12 years old thanks to her aunt Roseli Gustavo, who won the 1994 FIBA World Championship in Australia, while sister Silvia Cristina played for Sao Caetano and cousin Nezinho plays for Ribeirao Preto and the Brazilian national team.

"My family always played basketball and it is a dream for me to be called-up by (Brazil coach) Antonio Carlos Barbosa. I am very happy," she said. "I want to battle for a place in the first team, although it will be difficult. I must work hard but that’s what I can do."

Karen has previously played for Microcamp/Campinas, Americana Ribeirao Preto and Sport Recife, and believes she is in top form with current club Ourinhos after undergoing surgery last year.

"I was in good form at Sport Recife in the Campeonato Nacional," she added. "Now I am looking for a place in the Ourinhos team for the Sao Paulo State tournament. I worked towards making the national team and, luckily, my hour has arrived.
 
"It is very important for me to be playing at Ourinhos, with coach Vendramini and a lot of experienced players."
 
Karen hopes to make the most of the opportunity and keep her place in the squad for the FIBA World Championship, which Brazil hosts in September.
 
"Our main rivals will be the Americans, the Russians and the Australians," she added.
 
by PA Sport, Exclusively for FIBA.com