Feature by Shawn Moran -- Sun Devil Athletics Feature Writer
TEMPE, Ariz. -- Three members of the Arizona State women's basketball team enjoyed one of the most rewarding experiences available to athletes when they represented their countries in international competition.
Kiara Russell played for the USA, Taya Hanson represented Canada and Iris Mbulito competed for Spain in three tournaments on three continents.
All three returned home after a summer full of experiences on and off the court with precious medals draped around their necks.
Russell, who played for the United States at the FISU America Games in Brazil, said volunteering to help others in need will be her most cherished memory.
"We volunteered at Samaritan's feet," Russell said. "We actually wash the kids' feet and it's for families and kids that don't really have a lot. We had an opportunity to just hang out and wash their feet and give them shoes. We actually did eye-checks too, because they were saying in Sao Paulo it takes over a year for kids to even get their eyes checked."
The whole experience was unexpected for Russell, who was not even supposed to be in Brazil. After suffering an ankle injury, she was unable to participate in the FIBA 3x3 World Cup in Colorado Springs in June as planned. That is when ASU coach Charli Turner Thorne approached her about the opportunity to play in the FISU America Games in late July.
"I was kind of nervous because you never know what's gonna go on overseas, but it was cool," Russell said. "It was a fun experience. We didn't only play basketball, we also got to share our faith and share our stories after the games."
North of the border, Hanson, a freshman guard for the Sun Devils, believed the experience of playing against international competition in an electric atmosphere was an important stepping stone for her ahead of the upcoming season.
In the FIBA U18 Women's Americas Championship in Mexico City, Hanson's Team Canada was 2-0 in group play when the team faced host nation Mexico at a packed Gimnasio Olimpico Juan de la Barrera.
"There were so many fans and it was such a high-energy, fast-paced game that everyone on my team came together as one because we knew that we had to stay connected playing against such a massive crowd," Hanson said. "It was just a crazy experience."
Hanson scored 11 points for Team Canada in a 65-54 win against Mexico and the Canadians went on to win the silver medal, falling 84-60 to Team USA in the gold medal game.
"International competition always gives you challenges. … You face more teams and you see different styles of play and you have to guard them in different ways and work as a team," Hanson said. "It's given me more confidence to come here and be with this team."
Mbulito, a freshman guard-forward, was the most dominant player on the court at the FIBA U20 Women's European Championship in Sopron, Hungary. After leading her team in minutes and rebounds per game, Mbulito put on a dominating performance in the gold medal game against Serbia, posting 21 points and 12 rebounds in a 69-50 win for Spain. After her standout performance, she was named tournament MVP.
"If I want to achieve something, I work so hard to do it," Mbulito said. "I want to be a very good player. The kind where if you say my name, people know who I am."
With a few more performances like Mbulito had in the FIBA final, it will not take long for the women's basketball world to take notice. Still, Mbulito believes she still has a lot to learn about the nuances of the American game.
"The way we play in Europe is completely different than the way the game is played here [in the U.S.]," she said. "I need to adjust the way I play."
With the season opener two months away, there is still plenty of time for Mbulito to adjust to her new playing style and teammates before the opening tip.
The international experience the three ASU players gained gives them even more confidence in the team's potential.
"I'd love to be in the NCAA Tournament every single year and then win a championship," Hanson said. "I think that's the ultimate goal of everyone on this team and there's a lot of things that we have to do prior to that, but I think that's our ultimate goal."
After a medal-filled offseason, Russell wants fans to know the Sun Devils will be a force this season and beyond.
"Get ready for an exciting year because we're coming at 'em," Russell said while clapping emphatically.
TEMPE, Ariz. -- Three members of the Arizona State women's basketball team enjoyed one of the most rewarding experiences available to athletes when they represented their countries in international competition.
Kiara Russell played for the USA, Taya Hanson represented Canada and Iris Mbulito competed for Spain in three tournaments on three continents.
All three returned home after a summer full of experiences on and off the court with precious medals draped around their necks.
Russell, who played for the United States at the FISU America Games in Brazil, said volunteering to help others in need will be her most cherished memory.
"We volunteered at Samaritan's feet," Russell said. "We actually wash the kids' feet and it's for families and kids that don't really have a lot. We had an opportunity to just hang out and wash their feet and give them shoes. We actually did eye-checks too, because they were saying in Sao Paulo it takes over a year for kids to even get their eyes checked."
The whole experience was unexpected for Russell, who was not even supposed to be in Brazil. After suffering an ankle injury, she was unable to participate in the FIBA 3x3 World Cup in Colorado Springs in June as planned. That is when ASU coach Charli Turner Thorne approached her about the opportunity to play in the FISU America Games in late July.
"I was kind of nervous because you never know what's gonna go on overseas, but it was cool," Russell said. "It was a fun experience. We didn't only play basketball, we also got to share our faith and share our stories after the games."
North of the border, Hanson, a freshman guard for the Sun Devils, believed the experience of playing against international competition in an electric atmosphere was an important stepping stone for her ahead of the upcoming season.
In the FIBA U18 Women's Americas Championship in Mexico City, Hanson's Team Canada was 2-0 in group play when the team faced host nation Mexico at a packed Gimnasio Olimpico Juan de la Barrera.
"There were so many fans and it was such a high-energy, fast-paced game that everyone on my team came together as one because we knew that we had to stay connected playing against such a massive crowd," Hanson said. "It was just a crazy experience."
Hanson scored 11 points for Team Canada in a 65-54 win against Mexico and the Canadians went on to win the silver medal, falling 84-60 to Team USA in the gold medal game.
"International competition always gives you challenges. … You face more teams and you see different styles of play and you have to guard them in different ways and work as a team," Hanson said. "It's given me more confidence to come here and be with this team."
Mbulito, a freshman guard-forward, was the most dominant player on the court at the FIBA U20 Women's European Championship in Sopron, Hungary. After leading her team in minutes and rebounds per game, Mbulito put on a dominating performance in the gold medal game against Serbia, posting 21 points and 12 rebounds in a 69-50 win for Spain. After her standout performance, she was named tournament MVP.
"If I want to achieve something, I work so hard to do it," Mbulito said. "I want to be a very good player. The kind where if you say my name, people know who I am."
With a few more performances like Mbulito had in the FIBA final, it will not take long for the women's basketball world to take notice. Still, Mbulito believes she still has a lot to learn about the nuances of the American game.
"The way we play in Europe is completely different than the way the game is played here [in the U.S.]," she said. "I need to adjust the way I play."
With the season opener two months away, there is still plenty of time for Mbulito to adjust to her new playing style and teammates before the opening tip.
The international experience the three ASU players gained gives them even more confidence in the team's potential.
"I'd love to be in the NCAA Tournament every single year and then win a championship," Hanson said. "I think that's the ultimate goal of everyone on this team and there's a lot of things that we have to do prior to that, but I think that's our ultimate goal."
After a medal-filled offseason, Russell wants fans to know the Sun Devils will be a force this season and beyond.
"Get ready for an exciting year because we're coming at 'em," Russell said while clapping emphatically.