CHEKOV, Russia. – While most 18 year olds will remember their summers by the moments lying at the beach or dipping in the pool, rising sophomore Helena Orts' best recollections will come on a basketball court. After helping her native country Spain to the U20 Euro Basketball Championship Gold Medal, Orts is now playing with Spain in the U19 World Basketball Championship in Russia and doing well.
The forward tallied 12 points and 11 rebounds to help Spain advance to the Quarterfinals with a 73-68 win over the Netherlands. It was the first double-double for Spain this tournament. Sicne that win, Spain defeated Belgium to advance to the Semifinals. Orts finished with eight points and three rebounds in that contest.
“I am just so happy for Helena,” Head Coach Joe Frager said. “I know how much pride she takes in representing Spain and she and her teammates will have these memories for a lifetime.”
"It's great!" Orts said. "The experience is great. Once we are done with the championship we will still have a few days to enjoy summer with friends and family. My Fairfield teammates are constantly asking me how I am and how the summer is going. I can't wait to see them again!"
The third-ranked Spanish national team is five games deep into the tournament, going 3-2 with wins over Egypt, a victory over the Netherlands in the 'knockout stage', and a Quarterfinal win over Belgium. Against the Netherlands, Orts recorded her first career double-double in international competition with 12 points and 11 rebounds.
Spain was dealt one of the toughest draws of any squad in the tournament, with Group B featuring top-ranked and defending world champions the United States, and eighth-ranked China.
“Playing in these games will absolutely help her in her collegiate career,” Coach Frager said. “Helena is a year older, stronger, and wiser. The experience that she gained playing in such a tournament will be an asset for her.”
"One of the best things about playing internationally is having the opportunity to visit different parts of the world," Orts said. "Furthermore I can compete against the best players in each country which is a great exprience to keep learning and improving."
The improvements in Orts' game have been apparent in the two FIBA tournaments this season. In the European Championship, Orts finished fourth on the squad with 8.7 points per game and tied for second with 4.8 boards per outing. Orts started nearly every game and netted eight points and grabbed a team-high five rebounds in the gold medal win over France.
In the World Championships, Orts is second on the squad with 5.2 rebounds per game while averaging 7.8 points per outing, which is third on the team.
In the opening game against the defending champions, the United States she scored seven points and grabbed five rebounds. The most impressive part of those numbers was that she accomplished that against some of the best talent in the world. Most of the roster of the United States is filled with talent from basketball powerhouses such as UCONN, Notre Dame, and Louisville. The American squad also features Lauren Cox, the top-ranked recruit in the country.
Spain finished second in the World Championships last season and was also the runner up in 2011.
UPDATE: Spain defeated Belgium 70-66 in the Quarterfinals (Orts had eight points and three rebounds) and will now face USA/Canada in the Semifinal round tomorrow.
