Lucia Alonso is a freshman, so everything is new. She’s living on her own for the first time and taking classes in a variety of new, obscure subjects.
As a member of the Arizona’s women’s basketball team, Alonso is also adjusting to a new style of play on the court and a new language. Alonso hails from Leon, Spain.
One thing that isn’t new is the basketball court. This is home for the 5-foot-7-inch guard; in fact, it’s her favorite place on campus.
“I don’t have much time,” said Alonso, who was new coach Adia Barnes’ second recruit. “I have to go to class and practice, and at the end of the day I am so tired. I can go to the gym and shoot whenever I want. It’s the best thing, I like it so much.”
Alonso spent extra time after practice working on her shot last week.
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It paid off Thursday. Alonso scored a season-high 15 points and carried the team in the first quarter, tallying 10 of the Wildcats’ 15 points in a win over Florida Atlantic.
“I am here because I am a shooter and I have to practice, practice, practice,” said Alonso, who hit three 3-pointers and had four assists in the game. “I don’t care if I spend an hour after practice. I like it.”
Alonso brings international experience to the team. She was a member of Spain’s U16 and U18 National Teams. This past summer she competed in the European Championships and helped Spain take home the silver medal. She averaged 7.4 points per game and 2.9 assists per game over seven games.
After playing against the best players in Europe, she’s now learning a new style of play.
“In Spain we run the play all the way through,” said Alonso. ”Here, if we have a shot, we take it.”
While she studied English in school, having to speak it every day has been the biggest challenge for her so far.
“It’s different, every day, every practice,” said Alonso. “The basketball language — I know things I have to say, and on the court it is easier. It’s harder when I have to explain things. At first I didn’t know what (my teammates) wanted. Now I know LB (LaBrittney Jones) likes to post up and Melena (Washington) likes to drive and shoot.”
Her teammates have been adjusting, too. Some have learned a few Spanish words.
“Her speech many be different, but there is no language on the basketball court, just play,” said JaLea Bennett, a junior guard who came off the bench to score 21 points against Southern Utah. “We echo the call when it’s a little difficult to understand.
“One time Dejza (James) was going for a rebound and Lucia yelled “Mira! Mira!” Luckily, Dejza knew a little Spanish and knew that it meant ‘Look!’ That was funny.”
Alonso has cracked the starting lineup, no easy feat with multiple guards on the team. Her international play may have contributed to this. In the first half of Thursday’s game, Alonso was firing off shots and being a little more vocal. With seconds ticking off on the shot clock, she called for the ball and nailed a 3-pointer from the top of the key. The basket cut FAU’s lead to one point. She has hit second in the Pac-12 in three-point shooting (60 percent) and is averaging 33.4 minutes per game, the most of any Wildcat.
“She’s doing a good job,” Barnes said. “We have to remember she’s a freshman, and given all her barriers, she’s doing better and better every day.
“I’d like to see her get eight, 10 shot attempts every game and be a little more selfish. She has to be more vocal, as a point guard, which is the hardest — because of the language, she’s not as vocal.”
