SEN - Traore, a dominant force in Spanish Liga Femenina

BARCELONA (Afrobasket for Women/FIBA World Championship for Women) - Just four rounds into the Spanish Liga Feminina season and Senegal international Astou Traore has already become one of the most dominant players, averaging 17 points and 6.7 rebounds.

Last weekend, the Cadi ICG Software forward registered a season-high with 21 points in an 86-83 home defeat to Rivas Ecopolis. Despite her team ending up on the losing end, her individual performance still earned her MVP of the round honours.

In that game, Traore managed a staggering 78% shooting in the paint, but her team stumbled to its second loss of the season.

The 31-year-old says her team has “to get focused and be patient” if they are to turn things around after suffering two losses at home.

Senegal's leading scorer at the 2011 Afrobasket Women says that despite playing at a different position from what she is used to with her national team, it hasn't stopped her from scoring.

“It is not a big deal playing in a different position. I am just committed to help my team reaching the best results,” Traore told FIBA.com.

Cadi ICG Software plays away to Tintos de Toro Caja Rural this Saturday.

“For now I am focused on my team, I am trying to keep fit as I am aware that this is going to be a long season,” she said.

Ten-time Afrobasket winners Senegal are Africa's most successful women’s national team, although they lost last year’s Final to Angola, which saw Traore miss out the chance to play at the London Olympics.

Traore played at the last two FIBA World Championship for Women - in Brazil six years ago and at the 2010 Czech Republic showdown - but she does not to stop there.

“We will be playing the African Championship [Afrobasket for Women] and battle to make it to the world championship,” Traore said of her goals for 2013.

“There have been some changes in the national team, after last year’s African championship, but I am sure it won’t alter much of the team’s ambition, it will rather encourage us to do better.”

Traore has won three Afrobasket silver medals (2005, 2007 and 2011), but is yet to lift a gold medal in the Afrobasket tournaments.

FIBA