For University of Maine Women’s Basketball first-year forward Laia Sole, a native of Spain, choosing to play for the Black Bears was about more than just the basketball opportunities the school provided. It meant that she would become part of a family.
Sole began playing for her home country of Spain at the U13 level when she was 12 years old. In 2014 she earned a bronze medal in the U16 European Championships. In 2015 she was a member of the 3×3 (three players vs. three players) National Team that went to both the European Championships and the World Championships. Then, this year, she won a bronze medal at the FIBA (International Basketball Federation) 3×3 World Championships.
Maine Head Coach Richard Barron, whose team features eight players from Europe, likes the high level of play that athletes experience in the international arena.
Few people know Sole’s basketball abilities as well as Maine first-year guard Naira Caceres, who’s been playing with Sole since they were on the Spanish National Team together at the age of 14. Caceres says Sole’s humility and work ethic are what sets her apart as a teammate.
Caceres also knows the off-the-court Laia Sole that the fans don’t necessarily see. The one that’s not just a great teammate, but also a great friend.
Barron echoed Caceres’ praise, demonstrating that he takes more than just a player’s on-court abilities into account during recruitment.
Sole, a 6-foot 2-inch forward, made her debut for the Black Bears in an exhibition game against Stonehill College last Sunday, scoring 21 points in a dominant first game. One might think for someone who’s been playing at the national level for so long, the game would be just another game. But that was hardly the case.
A team-first Sole is realistic about where her young team is right now. But she also has expectations and a mission for this season.
It won’t take long for the amiable Sole to become a Black Bear fan favorite. With a vibrant smile and breathtaking post-moves to match, she’ll be a fun player to watch this season and for seasons to come.