‘You’re putting pressure on yourself’ | Relief

It’s rare for someone so young to have such an organized head. Almost the same as a defense order when it’s on hardwood. He turned 18 last June, but thanks to character, fortitude and vision (for the future and the game), it looks like he has ten more to go. Precisely, despite all this, in addition to the undeniable talent that she possesses and which she has already demonstrated more than clearly at the national level (with the help of Valencia Basket as a minor player) and at the international level. Ava Fam (Santa Pola 2006) is one of the greatest gems (and hopes) of Spanish basketball. And although sometimes the expectations that are formed can do more harm than good for such a young player, in his case it is something that does not directly affect him. “I try to be calm, trust myself, trust the process, trust the work and move forward.”recognizes the turn by observing Relevaux.

This year, although she already knows what it’s like to play in the women’s league for Valencia Basket, Pham will officially make her professional debut as she is already a member of the first team. Of course he does it in a different color than Taronyaalthough she is still involved – and is very aware of it, as was evident at the last Endes Women’s Super Cup, which she did not want to miss as a spectator – with Valencia Basket, the club that signed her until 2029 and to which she hopes to return in the future . “I really want to show that in the future this is the club I want to be at.”he admits. Although Today she is focused on what lies ahead and is trying to take advantage of the opportunity to establish herself and enjoy minutes in the elite alongside Lointek Guernik.where she was transferred this season. It’s a huge change, but she’s welcoming it “with great enthusiasm” because she knows it could be a before and after for her.

“The truth is that I am very enthusiastic about this. This year is like a challenge for me, because it can greatly affect my professional sports career. If I really want to achieve what I want to achieve in a few years, This is the year when I can actually train like a real player, like a professional player. and later as a person. I’m very enthusiastic about this, very enthusiastic, I know that I will have help both in Guernica and in Valencia, as well as my family, friends and coaches, and nothing, we’ll see how it goes, but it’s quite difficult. challenge for me,” says this young woman. An 18-year-old centrist who Today they make their debut in the Endesa Women’s League with Guernica against Duran Maquinaria Encino Lugo (18:30). and that it came at a time of great form after a summer where she was even called up to train with the senior team.

“The summer turned out to be quite busy, but I was able to find time for myself and for relaxation.. Maybe not for two months in a row, but I rest because I compete for three weeks, and then I had two weeks for myself. I’m very happy with what I achieved, so am I, so are my teammates and the team,” says Pham after the marathon. And in June she was invited to train with the adult team in preparation for the competition. Olympic Games in Paris, then he put on the national elastic band European Under-20 Championships in July (at which, despite not winning gold, he was named MVP) in August they will compete again in the same tournament, but in the U-18 category.

Therefore, the fact that his goal is to play for the senior national team is not at all strange. Well, she’s more than hopeful that coach Miguel Mendez will give her a chance soon, and that’s what she wants. Because in addition to her desire to play in the WNBA, she also wants to defend the colors of Spain in an international tournament. “Today my future goal is to play for the senior national team. Either EuroBasket or the Games, hopefully the next ones, and be a national team player.. Then, in the future, I always said it was going to the WNBA, because that’s what I’ve always seen since I was a kid, but the closest I’ll get, hopefully, is making the senior national team,” she explains.

And to do this, she clearly understands that she needs to stand firmly on the ground and continue to work, not allowing the pressure to break down that wall, which is precisely the hardwood: “I try to be calm, trust myself, trust the process, the work and moving forward. This is what ultimately gives. You will feel this pressure yourself if you take it upon yourself. People can talk, coaches can talk, family can talk… but it’s up to you, This is what you need to mentally sit down and realize what you have, what you don’t have, what you can get and what you can’t, that’s all, be calm, trust me and move forward, that’s all. something that doesn’t concern me.”

Although, just because she’s not under pressure doesn’t mean she doesn’t have specific goals for herself this year beyond “improving as a player and a person,” as she admits: “I hope to first get to the Queen’s Cup and then to the playoffs”. “The truth is this year in the League, I think we’re all competing on an equal footing, there’s no one playing against them saying this is how you can win,” he says. And she also highlights how young women like her are gradually gaining a foothold in the continent’s best women’s league.

“Yes, it’s true that This year there are a lot of teams with very young people, in my team in Guernica for example we are very young, but I think we all have the same desire and enthusiasm.. I think we all join teams to have the opportunity to play, especially people our age, but also to improve as people and as players. I think it will be a difficult year for Guernica, as in my case, and for all the teams, because I think we will all fight for what we want to achieve. It will be a cool year, but it will actually be a challenge,” he says.

It remains to be seen how she has adapted to her new club and new teammates, but the truth is that on a personal level, she seems to be perfectly integrated based on the way she talks about her new club and her new city. “It seemed to me that it was a very cold, very small, but hospitable town. It’s very different from anything I’ve experienced because I’ve always been in big cities, but I’m very happy. because it is a very friendly city, they are all family, they try to make you feel very good and the food is very good. I was very surprised by how I was received.. The locals, more accustomed to the north, greet you as if they have known you for a long time. The day I arrived, I remember Itzi (Itziar Aristimugno), Marta (Alberdi) or Lucas (Fernandez), the coach, who came and caught you, asked how you were doing with life, did you need anything… something, if you don’t understand something… the way they greet you makes you feel very comfortable.

Now It was his turn to show that he too was comfortable on the hardwood.something to do this afternoon at the Endesa Women’s League. All this with the aim of perfecting what it already is: one of the greatest gems of Spanish basketball.