Elena Buenavida (Santa Cruz de Tenerife, 2004) is one of the great pearls of Spanish basketball. The point guard (19 years old and 1.74 m) has made his debut this season with Valencia Basket: 17 games in the Euroleague and 26 games in an Endesa Women’s League that the taronjas won after defeating Perfumerías Avenida in the final. One more title for this Canary Island that has already hung three European medals around its neck with the training categories: gold with the Under-20 and silver with the Under-18 in 2022, and a bronze with the Under-16 in 2019.
Now, it is his turn to lead the Under-19s in this World Cup, which is held in Madrid from Saturday 15 to Sunday 23 July: the first phase and the round of 16 will be held between the Espartales Sports Complex in Alcalá de Henares and the Jorge Garbajosa Pavilion in Torrejón de Ardoz. The final phase (quarter, semifinal and final) will be at the WiZink Center of the Community of Madrid. “It puts a little pressure here”, he assures AS Buenavida, who has also triumphed in 3×3 with a European gold and a world silver with the Under-19 two years ago: “I like it a lot. See it, live it, but I really want to dedicate myself to 5×5″, continues the base of a team that will face off in the group stage with Australia (Saturday 15, at 8:15 p.m.), France (Sunday 16, at 8:15 p.m.) and Argentina (Tuesday 18, at 8:45 p.m.). The first two will be played in Alcalá de Henares, while the third, in Torrejón de Ardoz.
How do you face this World Cup?
Very, very excited, I’m not going to lie to you. We know what is coming our way, that it will not be easy. But with a lot of desire.
The group seems to be tough with Argentina, Australia and France…
Yes Yes. Quite. We had a very strong first contact with this World Cup in the Alcalá de Henares tournament in which we played against Australia, the United States and Canada. We go with our heads settled: go little by little, facing what comes our way with the greatest enthusiasm and desire possible, but from the effort and unity of the team.
And how are you doing before the tournament?
Good. Very excited. It had been so long since I had been with my generation for a whole month that I missed it because I have always been lucky enough to go from one place to another. I like this generation, this team, this staff. I feel very comfortable in it. And eager to enjoy the World Cup.
If someone who doesn’t know you asks you: which teammate would you recommend to follow during this championship?
Sincerely, Awa Fam. It’s a show. He is a fundamental part of this team. It’s nice to see her, it’s nice how she moves, it’s nice how with two years less she constantly dominates the game. I’m sorry, but I drool with my partner.
FIBA has placed her among the 20 players to watch in this tournament. It’s a source of pride I suppose, isn’t it?
Yes, but also responsibility. I am in charge of this team and I have to show my face both personally and collectively. It’s a source of pride because everyone likes to be kept in mind, but it’s also a reason to settle down and say ‘I want to do well, but I want the team to win, to meet its goals’. That is above individual achievements.
The World Cup comes after your first season with the ‘majors’ at Valencia. Euroleague, League… Has it been hard or fun?
A mix you could say. I have been lucky to live this year, which has been incredible. Personally, I think I’ve taken a brutal step forward. I hope that everything I have learned during the season will be able to be reflected both in me and in my team during this World Cup.
I imagine that this league title would taste like glory…
It was the straw that broke the camel’s back. Super happy that after three years this was the final one and that I was a bit of a part of the team. It made me super happy for my teammates and for the team.
What is it like to share a dressing room with players like Alba Torrens, Raquel Carrera, Queralt Casas…?
Brutal. I felt super lucky. They welcomed me very well from the first moment. They are the aunts who know the most about basketball and they welcome you that way, with the desire to make you part of something… It was a great pride and I will be extremely grateful to them all my life.
Her teammates have won silver in the Eurobasket. She’s going to have to, at least, match that so she doesn’t get bullied next season…
I’ll try! I have already told them that if they come to see me they will take a little surprise.
Any advice you have been given that you remember?
In general, they all tell me to enjoy it a lot, that very few people experience these training cycles with Spain. May he learn as much as possible and leave me nothing to give.
Is there one that you notice more than another in that locker room full of gamers?
Alba Torrens, obviously. I pay attention because for me he will be the biggest Spanish reference that Spanish basketball has had in a long time and because of his way of being off the court. She is lovely. She’s like my mother, basically. If he listens to it, he’s going to kill me (laughs). And one of those who are a little closer to my social circle, Raquel Carrera. At 21, what he’s doing… I think he’s something to admire and he’s amazing. I am very happy because she is my friend and I want her to achieve everything she sets her mind to because she has a talent for it. I’m the half-fan of hers, if you will.
He had the option of going to the United States, but decided to sign for Valencia. What was the reason?
In the United States they have a very different way of playing, much more physical. Here I like the game much more. Honestly, I planted it quite a bit. I liked the option to try that style, to get out of my comfort zone. I would like to go because I do not want to be left with the feeling that, in the future, I regret not having done it. But, honestly, staying and being in Valencia is one of the best decisions I’ve made in my career.
