Spain’s Olympic campaign tipped off with a bang in a gripping one-point victory over China. Amidst all the excitement, there’s a duo that deserves a standing ovation. One-half of this power pair is none other than Megan Gustafson, the Las Vegas Aces player. But who’s the other half that showed nothing less of a powerhouse performance? 

Let’s talk about the unsung star of Spain’s thrilling 90-89 win over China. While Gustafson scored 29 points, Leonor Rodríguez was right there beside her, lighting up the scoreboard with 25 points of her own. Let’s dive deeper into the 32-year-old player’s basketball journey.

From Spain to the World: Leonor Rodríguez’s Basketball Odyssey

Leonor Rodríguez’s basketball journey kicked off right at home in Spain. She started hooping as a young gun for CB Islas Canarias, which is a pretty big deal because she was playing in Spain’s top league when she was just 16! As she gained experience, she packed her bags and headed to the US to play college ball for the Florida State Seminoles. And guess what? She was a total baller there too, averaging 14.9 points per game in her final year. 

After making a splash in the US, Rodríguez decided it was time to return to her European roots. She joined one of Spain’s top teams, Perfumerías Avenida, and quickly became a star. In just three seasons, she helped them win one league championship and two cup titles. But Leonor’s love for adventure didn’t stop there.

Rodriguez was all over Europe as she took her talents to Uni Girona CB for a season before jetting off to Poland to play for Wisła Can-Pack Kraków in 2017. And just when you thought she was settling down, she surprised everyone by moving to Turkey in 2919 to play for Çukurova Basketbol.

She finally came back home to Spain and reunited with Perfumerías Avenida, and the winning nature never faded away. Rodríguez won the Spanish League once again in 2021. Well, it’s not just franchise basketball that has kept her involved. She has been a long-time soldier for her national team too. Let’s throw some light on her run with the Spain national team.

Leonor Rodríguez’s Rise in International Basketball

Can you believe Leonor Rodríguez started dominating the court for Spain when she was just 15? She racked up an impressive six medals playing for Spain’s youth teams between 2006 and 2011. That’s a pretty incredible start to a career, marking your presence right there in the national squads.

Fast forward a few years and boom, she was living what most athletes dream of. Rodriguez made her debut with Spain national team when she was 22 in 2014. By 2021, she was already a seasoned pro with 97 caps under her belt. And let’s not forget, she’s represented Spain in two Olympics, one World Championship, and three European Championships.

She has found her name on some of the rosters that have bagged a silver medal in the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics, a silver medal in the 2014 World Championship, and a gold and a silver in EuroBasket in 2017 and 2023, respectively.

Leonor Rodríguez’s journey from Spain’s youth teams to the global stage is nothing short of extraordinary. But there’s one thing missing: that elusive Olympic gold medal. However, her recent performances suggest that this might finally be her year. As Spain gears up to face Puerto Rico on July 31, it will be exciting to see if Rodríguez, alongside Megan Gustafson, can continue her stellar play and lead their nation to victory.

Stay tuned for more such updates and join us for the exciting pilot episode of the “Dual Threat Show” as our host BG12 sits down with Georgia Bulldogs star and SEC All-Freshman Team Selection, Silas Demary Jr.