THUNDER BAY -- The Lakehead Thunderwolves have turned to Spain once again.
The women's basketball team on Thursday announced the signing of 5-foot-8 scoring guard Paula Lopez Sanchez, who hails from Zaragoza, Spain and will join the OUA team this fall.
“When I heard about Lakehead University, I felt that I couldn’t miss the opportunity to study and play there. At Lakehead University I will be able to improve and grow as a player under coach (Jon) Kreiner and his staff. Moreover, Lakehead University gives me the opportunity to study for a bioinformatic degree which I’m really excited to start because I think Lakehead is going to give me a quality education,” Lopez said in a release.
Kreiner has already dipped into the Spanish well twice, bringing all-star Sofia Lluch into the fold. Lluch will also be back in 2021-22 after spending last season playing professionally in her home country. Eva Guilera will also join the Wolves this season.
Kreiner said Sanchez can make an immediate difference on an LU team in transition.
“Paula is exactly what we need and will be an impact player immediately,” said Kreiner. “Paula has had a lot of experience and success with her regional team at the national level and she will provide our program with scoring.
"Paula is a very hard worker who strives to be the absolute best she can be. She has the ability to play multiple positions and is a terrific shooter. She also has great length and athleticism for her position and has great upside. She has the potential to be a great all-around player on both ends of the floor. I am excited for what Paula will bring to our team and I can’t wait to coach her this season.”
Her previous coach says the Thunderwolves are getting a gem, a player every coach wants on their roster.
"She is engaged, hard-working and always thinking about the proper functioning of the team. On the court she is a tactically organized player with a great capacity for outside shooting," said Sanchez's regional team coach Dani Rubio.
"This, along with her physical abilities, allows her to play in any position on the back-court. Throughout her training stage she has adapted well to the different roles and challenges of each season, which means she has a really good work ethic. Paula is a well-mannered person, she is outgoing and she always tries to make people around her feel comfortable.”
