The guard of Alcudia BC, Paula Valenzuela, wins silver at the U17 World Championship in Brno after losing to the USA (82-73). The Mallorcan scored 9 points in the final.
The Spanish women's U17 basketball team, with Mallorcan Paula Valenzuela as one of its key players, had to settle for the silver medal at the World Championship held in Brno (Czech Republic). The national team lost the final on Sunday to the USA by a close 82-73, in a match that was decided in the final moments.
Outstanding performance by the Alcudia BC guard
The guard of Alcudia BC was one of the standout players in the decisive match. Valenzuela played 28 minutes on the court, during which she scored 9 points and provided one assist. Her performance was crucial in keeping Spain in the game until the final stretch.
The team, coached by Isabel Fernández, reached the last two minutes with real chances of victory, but a 9-0 run by the Americans in the decisive moments broke the game open. The North Americans, the clear favourites for the title, imposed their physicality and experience at key moments.
Despite the defeat, Spain adds its third consecutive medal in the category: silver in 2022, bronze in 2024, and silver again in 2026. This record demonstrates the consistency of the Spanish women's youth development.
Unstoppable progression of the Mallorcan player
Paula Valenzuela was already the U16 European champion last summer, and her progression has only been confirmed with this new medal. In the World Championship, she averaged 7.8 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 3 assists per game, figures that place her among the most promising guards in national basketball.
The Alcudia BC player has shown in Brno that she is a step above the average, with a playmaking and scoring ability that catches the attention of scouts. Her future, barring surprises, involves continuing to grow at the Mallorcan club or making the leap to a more prominent academy.
From the Spanish Federation, her competitive maturity and ability to take on responsibilities in crucial moments are highlighted. At just 16 years old, Valenzuela already knows what it is to play and decide in a world final.
Bronze for Mallorcans Enabulele, Torres, and Blanco at the U20 European Championship
In addition to Valenzuela's success, Balearic basketball also celebrated the bronze medal won by Mallorcans Michael Enabulele, Adrián Torres, and Álex Blanco at the men's U20 European Championship held in Slovenia. The three players contributed to Spain climbing to the third step of the continental podium.
Enabulele, a large interior player, was an important piece in the paint; Torres provided direction and game vision from the guard position; and Blanco demonstrated his scoring ability from the perimeter. All three are examples of the good moment of Balearic youth development, which continues to export talent to the lower categories of the national team.
The combination of results leaves a bittersweet taste: the silver from the U17s feels lacking due to how close they were to gold, while the bronze from the U20s feels glorious given the difficulty of breaking into the best in Europe. In any case, Mallorcan basketball has reasons to smile.
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