Post by beaverwbb fan on Sept 8, 2020 5:32:45 GMT -8
Ana Teresa Faustino crossed the Atlantic to play at the listed University of Oregon State. The former athlete of GDESSA Barreiro, emblem that she represented for 14 years, received a full scholarship to study Bioengineering and the invitation to play in the NCAA was “impossible to refuse”. In an interview with FPB, the 19-year-old base talks about how it was received and reveals the objectives for this new adventure in the United States of America.
How are the first days on that side of the Atlantic going?
The first two weeks were complicated as I had to be quarantined, so I couldn't do much or almost nothing. However, after that, things improved significantly once I stepped back on the four lines and I have been able to visit magnificent sites here in Oregon. In addition, I am fortunate to have people who have made this whole ‘’ adjustment ’’ easier. On the other hand, family, friends and Portuguese food, above all, are sometimes needed.
How did this invitation from the University of Oregon State come about?
This invitation came in a late period and outside the normal recruitment time, since one of the former players asked to be transferred to another college, thus leaving an open place in the team. I received a full scholarship, which was important for me, since I will have the best of both worlds: basketball at a very high level and have the privilege of studying at a privileged college, this with regard to Bioengineering.
After the initial contact, how did the whole process go?
The pandemic made any visit to college impossible and, as such, my main focus and that of my family was, above all, dealing with those bureaucracies necessary to enter, study and play in the United States. It was undoubtedly an exhausting process, a race against time, but both the people and coaches connected to the University, as well as my family and other entities were central to me having the opportunity to be here. Everything ended up fitting perfectly.
What references did you have from the university, which is one of the NCAA's highly rated university programs?
College basketball has always fascinated me since I was young and I already knew the value of this University. On the other hand, I also have the privilege of having contact with coaches who are very knowledgeable about the NCAA competition and they were important in guiding me in that regard. It is undoubtedly a basketball program at the highest level and now that I am here I realize it even more.
Was academic and sports training in the United States a goal?
I believe it was an ambition that I had at the age of 15/16. However, honestly, it was not in my plans to go to the United States when this proposal came up. I intended to stay in Portugal to study and play, but after seriously considering it, I realized that this is an opportunity that does not appear every day. I will play in one of the best teams in D1 and have the opportunity to study what I really like. Impossible to refuse.
What are the first impressions of the place where you are, the university, the team, the coaches and the whole community?
Oregon State University is located in Corvallis, which is a small university town and that makes me enjoy being here, because there is that feeling of fellowship. People are very kind and are always ready to help when you need it most. Regarding the team and coaches, I only have good things to say. My colleagues have helped me to enter the community, as they realize that it is not easy for international players. And my coaches have been impeccable, they have worked with me every day, with each training session I feel that I am leaving a more mature player. They have been important, above all, in the mental aspect of the game, they highly value focused players, who know how to deal with the pressure and get the best out of those moments.
What do you expect from your first year on the team?
I hope to have the opportunity to absorb the knowledge transmitted by my colleagues and by my coaches, so that I can apply it in games. In collective terms, helping the team to get as far as possible, because we have the skills to do that. In individual terms, I want to excel, get out of my comfort zone and work to play an important role in the team. I am aware that this is a process and as such I intend to try to be as patient and consistent as possible.
This year, your university put an athlete in the WNBA (Mikayla Pivec was chosen in the 25th position of the draft). Is it an ambition that you have?
An ambition I still don't know, honestly. It is something that I have not yet thought much or almost nothing. Right now, my only ambition is to evolve as much as possible on the field and I believe that topics such as the WNBA will eventually emerge naturally.
In Portugal you represented only one club, and for 14 years: GDESSA Barreiro. What words do you want to leave to the club and to all the people you met during your training?
I just have to say that without them I wouldn't be here, without wanting to devalue my work. They helped me to work and evolve so that today I can be playing at this level. This is the most difficult question, because there is always so much to thank and talk about when it comes to GDESSA. It's a family, no doubt. I will always be rooting for the people involved in the club and I am sure they will do the same for me.
How are the first days on that side of the Atlantic going?
The first two weeks were complicated as I had to be quarantined, so I couldn't do much or almost nothing. However, after that, things improved significantly once I stepped back on the four lines and I have been able to visit magnificent sites here in Oregon. In addition, I am fortunate to have people who have made this whole ‘’ adjustment ’’ easier. On the other hand, family, friends and Portuguese food, above all, are sometimes needed.
How did this invitation from the University of Oregon State come about?
This invitation came in a late period and outside the normal recruitment time, since one of the former players asked to be transferred to another college, thus leaving an open place in the team. I received a full scholarship, which was important for me, since I will have the best of both worlds: basketball at a very high level and have the privilege of studying at a privileged college, this with regard to Bioengineering.
After the initial contact, how did the whole process go?
The pandemic made any visit to college impossible and, as such, my main focus and that of my family was, above all, dealing with those bureaucracies necessary to enter, study and play in the United States. It was undoubtedly an exhausting process, a race against time, but both the people and coaches connected to the University, as well as my family and other entities were central to me having the opportunity to be here. Everything ended up fitting perfectly.
What references did you have from the university, which is one of the NCAA's highly rated university programs?
College basketball has always fascinated me since I was young and I already knew the value of this University. On the other hand, I also have the privilege of having contact with coaches who are very knowledgeable about the NCAA competition and they were important in guiding me in that regard. It is undoubtedly a basketball program at the highest level and now that I am here I realize it even more.
Was academic and sports training in the United States a goal?
I believe it was an ambition that I had at the age of 15/16. However, honestly, it was not in my plans to go to the United States when this proposal came up. I intended to stay in Portugal to study and play, but after seriously considering it, I realized that this is an opportunity that does not appear every day. I will play in one of the best teams in D1 and have the opportunity to study what I really like. Impossible to refuse.
What are the first impressions of the place where you are, the university, the team, the coaches and the whole community?
Oregon State University is located in Corvallis, which is a small university town and that makes me enjoy being here, because there is that feeling of fellowship. People are very kind and are always ready to help when you need it most. Regarding the team and coaches, I only have good things to say. My colleagues have helped me to enter the community, as they realize that it is not easy for international players. And my coaches have been impeccable, they have worked with me every day, with each training session I feel that I am leaving a more mature player. They have been important, above all, in the mental aspect of the game, they highly value focused players, who know how to deal with the pressure and get the best out of those moments.
What do you expect from your first year on the team?
I hope to have the opportunity to absorb the knowledge transmitted by my colleagues and by my coaches, so that I can apply it in games. In collective terms, helping the team to get as far as possible, because we have the skills to do that. In individual terms, I want to excel, get out of my comfort zone and work to play an important role in the team. I am aware that this is a process and as such I intend to try to be as patient and consistent as possible.
This year, your university put an athlete in the WNBA (Mikayla Pivec was chosen in the 25th position of the draft). Is it an ambition that you have?
An ambition I still don't know, honestly. It is something that I have not yet thought much or almost nothing. Right now, my only ambition is to evolve as much as possible on the field and I believe that topics such as the WNBA will eventually emerge naturally.
In Portugal you represented only one club, and for 14 years: GDESSA Barreiro. What words do you want to leave to the club and to all the people you met during your training?
I just have to say that without them I wouldn't be here, without wanting to devalue my work. They helped me to work and evolve so that today I can be playing at this level. This is the most difficult question, because there is always so much to thank and talk about when it comes to GDESSA. It's a family, no doubt. I will always be rooting for the people involved in the club and I am sure they will do the same for me.
