Awa Fam (Santa Pola, 2006) She had never set foot in the United States before attending the WNBA draft ceremony. Now, his journey there has only just begun. The 19-year-old, 1.98 meter Spanish center was selected in third place by the Seattle Storma franchise that leads the competition’s record with four titles, the same as the Houston Comets and the Minnesota Lynx.
Being in the WNBA has always been my dream since I was 12 years old.
Excited, Fam was interviewed after being chosen. “Representing Spain for me is special. Always being with the national team is special and being here in the WNBA has always been my dream since I was 12 years old. It’s a source of pride”said the center, who thanked her brothers, who were present, for their support and for having been an influence in basketball. “I want to give my best”assured about his participation in the best League in the world.
Awa Fam and Iyana Martín pose in a photo session prior to the World Cup.
On a unique night for Spanish basketball, her close friend Iyana Martína base of 1.75 meters and 20 years old who plays in the Perfumerías Avenida, was chosen by the Portland Fire in seventh place. He is the first choice in the history of the newly created franchise, although they have already said that he will not go next season. Marta Suárez, a 1.91 meter, 23-year-old power forward from Texas Christian University, was also selected by the Storm in the first place in the second round although she was later sent to Golden State.
Fampresent at the ceremony, was considered in draft forecasts as a possible number 1. She would have been the first foreign player to achieve it since the Australian Lauren Jackson in 2001. guard Azzi Fudd, chosen first by the Dallas Wings, and Olivia Miles, another outside player who was chosen second by the Minnesota Lynx.
The Valencia Basket center did not take the number 1, but the third place makes her the Spanish woman who has been chosen the highest, surpassing Raquel Carrera’s 15her current teammate in the Taronja club, whom the Atlanta Dream selected in 2021. His place equals that of Pau Gasol, chosen by the Hawks in 2001, as the best of a national basketball player.
many virtues
Fam had long made a name for himself in the United States. All the franchises had it on their agendas and highlighted its many virtues: a prodigious physique, perfect for basketball, attacking resources – including the three-pointer -, great mobility, good vision of the game, extraordinary defensive intensity… The prestigious magazine SLAM recently did a report on her about the possibility of her being chosen very high and Some time ago, ESPN had described her as “the best international project in this draft”.
Fam will make the WNBA compatible with Project Ba newly created global tournament that will precisely make one of its stops at the Roig Arena in Valencia. The center will finish the season with the Taronja club and then will pay a termination clause of 500,000 euros to leave and be able to participate in this new competition in which they will join stars such as Jewell Loyd, Jonquel Jones, Leo Fiebich, Juste Jocyte, Alyssa Thomas, Sophie Cunningham, Nneka Ogwumike…
The Spanish player will benefit from the new collective agreement which was recently signed and will come into effect next season. Salaries have increased considerably. The number 1 in the draft will receive $500,000. Two years ago, the media Caitlin Clark, chosen first place, won 76,000. Fam’s salary will be around $440,000.