U18 WOMEN
Leticia Romero is one of Spain's top prospects on the already crowded guard positions
Stat lines don't always tell the whole story.
Two points, one rebound, one assist and one steal in 10:50 minutes leave room for improvement.
Considering the circumstances, the numbers become memorable.
It was 9 October 2010 when Leticia Romero produced these numbers.
She was 15 years old, making her debut for Gran Canaria 2014 in Spain's top flight Liga Femenina.
The 1.74 m guard had come to stay.
This season, the 17-year-old has played 25 games for the senior team in the Liga Feminina and ten games in the EuroCup Women.
Leticia Romero is one of Spain's top prospects
on the already crowded guard positionsin 30.7
minutes, establishing herself in the starting five.
In EuroCup Women, she averaged 6.0 points, 2.7 rebounds and 2.5 assists
Playing for Gran Canaria on top level has helped her to consistently improve her game.
"My club is very important to me because it is the place where I have learned to be a basketball player," Romero told FIBAEurope.com.
"I get a lot of experience playing lots of minutes in the Spanish first league and I have improved in team direction and as a play-maker to organize the team."
It is her quick mind and the ability to read the game that make her a great point guard, and her sheer talent that promises a bright future.
Romero has become essential in both, her club and the national team.
So far, she has gone through all youth selections in Spain and was one of the main reasons Spain won Gold at the U16 European Championship in 2011.
In the 67-43 victory over Belgium in the final, she contributed 15 points, six rebounds and five assists.
Over the tournament, Romero showcased her versatility in a balanced Spanish team, scoring 9.8 points to go along with 4.1 rebounds and 2.4 assists.
Her performance earned her a spot on the All-Tournament Team.
This summer, two new challenges are waiting for the youngster.
"I expect to be part of the U17 team in the World Championship and maybe I have the chance to participate also in the U18 European Championship," she said.
The U18 European Championship is held from 26 July to 5 August in Bucharest, Romania, while the U17 World Championship is staged from 17 to 26 August in the Netherlands.
To play for the national team means a lot to Romero.
"In Spain there are a lot of very good players, and be part of the 12 best players is a big honour."
On top of that, the international experience gained is crucial for her individual development as a player.
"I can learn a lot from good coaches, different teammates, and learn to adjust my game to other basketball styles," Romero stated.
The goals for the summer are clear.
"With my club I wish to win the U18 Spanish Championship, and with the national team I'd like to compete with both teams and try to win a medal," Romero said.
One dream has already come true, as the first title is in the bag.
On 19 May, Gran Canaria won the Spanish Junior Championship for the fifth time in a row, defeating Sant Adria 83-60 in the final.
Romero and her teammate Astou Ndour took all individual awards. Ndour scooped honours for the best rebounder and was named MVP as well as Final MVP.
Romero finished the tournament first in points and assists.
The 17-year-old aligned impressive statistics on the way to the title, compiling an efficiency rating of 39.3 on average.
Sometimes numbers do show the truth.
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| Team-mates Leticia Romero and Astou Ndour at the FIBA Europe 3on3 on Gran Canaria |
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