“My father has undoubtedly been the MVP of my life”
MADRID, 23 Ago. (EUROPA PRESS) –
The former basketball player Amaya Valdemoro has officially become the first Spanish player to be inducted into the Hall of Fame of the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) this Wednesday, after a ceremony held in Manila (Philippines) and where she has shared honors with other great players. figures in the history of this sport.
Penny Taylor (Australia), Yuko Oga (Japan), Katrina McClain (USA), Wlamir Marques (Brazil), Yao Ming (China), Liem Tjien Siong / Sonny Hendrawan (Indonesia), Angelo Monteiro dos Santos Victoriano (Angola ), Carlos Loyzaga (Philippines) and Zurab Sakandelidze (Georgia), the latter posthumously, have completed the list along with Amaya Valdemoro.
Representing the Spanish Basketball Federation (FEB), its Director of Competitions, Elisa Aguilar, was at the gala. Not surprisingly, as the FEB itself recalled in a note, Aguilar has been Valdemoro’s “friend and partner” during many of the years in which both were two of the great references of Spanish women’s basketball, both with the national team and in his career in clubs”.
With her induction into the Hall of Fame, FIBA has recognized the successful on-court career of Valdemoro, winner of three WNBA rings with the Houston Comets. After making her debut in the Women’s League at the age of 15, she has eight league titles, nine Queen’s Cups and four Super Cups in her Spanish record. She also won the 1993 Euroleague with Dorna Godella.
With the Spanish team he participated in four World Cups (1998, 2002, 2006 and 2010), and in the last one he won the bronze medal. He also represented Spain in two Olympic Games (2004 and 2008). His track record in the Eurobasket is especially brilliant, since he participated in eight editions and won five medals: silver in 2007, bronze in 2003, 2005 and 2009, and especially gold in 2013, at his farewell.
“MY FATHER WITHOUT A DOUBT HAS BEEN THE MVP OF MY LIFE”
“Until this morning, every time I thought about the Hall of Fame I was moved, and today as the day progressed I had tremendous nerves. Especially since every time I rehearsed the speech I would cry,” he declared. Valdemoro herself.
During his speech at the ceremony, he dedicated such honors “to four people.” “One is my coach Miki Vukovic, who was a benchmark for me and the one who believed in me the most,” she commented. “To Elisa [Aguilar]with whom I coincided since I was 13 years old and I have spent a lifetime both sporting and of friendship linked to her, and with whom we have lived through very important moments”, Valdemoro continued.
Regarding Aguilar, he added: “I love living this moment by her side. I have had to be the first Spanish player in the FIBA Hall of Fame, and I hope and wish that she will break down a very important wall for women as the first FEB president.
“And of course, I also dedicate it to my father and mother, who are no longer with us; and to all my family, who have always supported me. I lost my mother at the age of 18, and my father is the person who he has supported me the most and without a doubt he has been the MVP of my life”, she stated excitedly.
Valdemoro has not forgotten “all” his “companions, rivals, coaches and trainers.” “And also my appreciation to María Planas, who a year ago was able to experience the emotion that I have experienced on this day, a pioneering coach of our women’s basketball, the first Spaniard to appear in this Hall of Fame”, he concluded.