IRIS JUNIO MBULITO (ESP, 1999, 6’1, G/SF, Spar Gran Canaria/Arizona State University)

Touted as the diamond and future of Spanish basketball as early as just 14 years old when, in 2013, she did her grand debut in Liga Femenina with CB Islas Canarias/SPAR Gran Canaria (at 14 years 6 months 17 days exactly) becoming, regardless of gender, the youngest player since the creation of Spanish basketball leagues (1926: men ; 1964: women) to play in Spain’s first division, surpassing Ricky Rubio’s famous 14 years 11 months 23 days old debut in ACB in 2005. In 2014 she was a main part of the U17 Spanish NT, alongside Angela Salvadores, that came just 3 point short (75-77) of defeating the USA in the legendary U17 World Championship title game, the one where Salvadores entered women’s basketball history by exploding for 40 points while Iris, despite being 2 years younger than the rest of the pack, contributed with a typical-of-her great all-round 13pts-8reb-5ass in 37min effort.

Strong of her great form during the tournament, she received an invitation to come practice for a few days over that same summer with WNBA’s former San Antonio Stars, now Las Vegas Aces, underlying even more her global prospect status. The season following her U17 silver medal, Iris could already take pride, at 15, in averaging 9,9pts-4,9reb-2,4ass per game in the strong Liga Femenina becoming SPAR Gran Canaria’s leader on the court. Her career looked on a golden path and rolling until February and September of 2015 where in dramatic fashion she suffered back-to-back ACL tears forcing her to wait almost 2 years (October 2016) to make her return to a basketball court. It is strong of all these hopes, qualities and experiences that Iris is ready to turn a new page in her career when in the coming Fall she will suit up for Arizona State University and join the NCAA, where her arrival is highly awaited.

. @iris_jmbulito WINS IT FOR @baloncestofeb 🇪🇸! #FIBAU20Europe pic.twitter.com/R74xVPhpW1

— FIBA (@FIBA) July 12, 2018

But before this happens, Iris is busy at the moment in Sopron, Hungary at the U20 European Championship with the Spanish U20 NT where her leadership and talent are key as proved not later than a few days ago when during a thrilling 1/4 Final against France she saved the day for her side by scoring the game-winning basket with 4 seconds left in the game and her team trailing by 1, on her way to a great 12pts-12reb double-double. Followed another victory in the semi-finals versus the Netherlands and Iris now has a chance to add yet another medal to her collection when she plays today against Serbia in the title match.

I got the chance to have a long talk with Iris in June prior to the start of the U20 European Championship where we talked about her present state of mind, her joining Arizona State and the NCAA in the coming Fall, her career goals and much more…

How are you doing Iris? 

I just finished practising. Did two hours with the ball and then did some muscular strengthening after that.

Who do you practice with? 

I practice by myself. I’m rehabing a shoulder injury I sustained at the end of March playing with my club missing the end of the season. So for now I cannot play (editor’s note: she was due to return to full action the following week, right on time for ESP U20 NT 1st camp) but I keep working on all my fundamentals (shooting, dribbling, etc.) and my physical condition.

How does your summer look like?

Next week we start the preparation for the U20 European Championship that will last a month and then we take off for Hungary where we will compete. Then in August I pack my stuff and go to Arizona to start preparing for next season.

Your coach with the U20 team is Miguel Mendez who just won the Euroleague with UMMC Ekaterinbourg. How does that feel?

He is a great coach who knows how to win titles. We don’t know him actually yet so we are all a bit nervous to play for him. We all will give our best but the selection process will not be easy. We know how it works with the national team by now (5 practices, rest, 5 practices, rest, etc.) but the one part that is new is the head coach. I don’t take anything for granted so I’m a bit anxious but I will of course give everything I have and will come in with the desire to perform well and help my team.

Let’s talk a bit about your decision to play in the NCAA. You spent your whole career so far playing for CB Islas Canarias/SPAR Gran Canaria so Arizona State University will be your first experience outside of Spain and outside of your club. How does that feel?

I’m going in August. I’m super happy and excited. I’m realy looking forward for this new experience. Meeting new players, a new coach, a new place. I really can’t wait to take this new step. I’m ready to spread my wings and fly. I will discover a new way of playing. I am thrilled for the opportunity.

You were supposed to join ASU already last year. What happened?

That’s right. The thing is that I decided quite late last season to go to the States, it was in June or something. So I had to prepare everything, the visa, different type documents, take the TOEFL etc. Unfortunately I didn’t manage to pass the TOEFL and had to take it a second time so it was too late to join ASU for the Fall. Then I had the opportunity to join for the second semester but it didn’t really make sense since I would almost lose an entire year with what was left of the season. So after reflection I decided to stay here in the Canary Islands and to play for my club another year and on the side work on my English skills so that I can join Arizona State the following season. That’s why I didn’t go last year and will only join them in August for the next 4 years.

Do you know any of the players from your new team?

Arizona State has been following me for some time now. I went in October for a few days visit where I met everybody and practised with the girls. They’re all great people but I don’t really know anyone yet.

Was it always a dream of yours to join the NCAA or is it something recent?

The truth is that I never thought about it before. When I was younger when I would think about the USA it would be about trying to join the WNBA and play professionally there. But since I sustained serious injuries which on top of not allowing me to play also unallowed me to study for a whole year, after what happened I changed a bit my approach and realized going to the USA to play and study would be my best option and would leave open my chances to join the WNBA afterwards.

When did you actually start playing basketball?

My mother (Puri Mbulito) was playing for CB Islas Canarias and when I was a child she asked me what I wanted to do: play basketball or another sport. I told her I wanted to do the same as her! So I started basketball at the age of 5 and played my first game at the age of 6.

Did your mother coach you?

At first yes she did, until the age of 11. She was coaching as well. At 11 Begoña Santana became my coach.

Things went fast for you then since at age 14 you already made your big debut in Liga Femenina…

SPAR Gran Canaria always gave opportunities to young players and to players from its youth academy. I had the joy to be given the chance to debut at a very very young age. I’m really happy about it even though I wasn’t really aware of what I was achieving.

Do you remember anything specific from that first game in LF at age 14 ?

I was super nervous, excessively nervous. I thought I would not play during the game but when the coach called my name for substitution my legs started to shake and that I didn’t hear properly and it was a mistake. But no, in the end I went on the court and the game went well.

In few words how would you descirbe your 2017-2018 season both on an individual and collective level ?

Well on a collective level I keep thinking we were a very capable team with many possibilities to get the ascension to Liga Femenina (Gran Canaria plays in LF2), despite having a short roster we competed very well in all our games. We didn’t manage it in the end and this was very unfortunate but I’m sure they will manage to do it next season. On an individual level I remember starting the season not at my best physically but after just 10 days into the season I managed to change that and with every new game I was getting more and more confidence. Overall I think my season went pretty fine.

What did the other Spanish players you know tell you about their NCAA experiences ?

The truth is that on a basketball level I didn’t ask much since every university works differently. I asked more questions about the scholar part of things. One of the girls I know studies what I’m planning to study which is Psychology. I would like to specialize in psychology for couples. I’ll see at the end of my first year how things go but for now Psychology catches my attention.

On a basketball level w hat do you feel you need to work on at this point?

There are a lot things I needto be better at!  One of them is defense. I struggle a bit defending players shorter than me and I need to work on lateral movement speed. Then my outside shot is something I really want to improve on as well. These are the two principle aspects I can think of, but my future coach at ASU told me I must improve in all aspects of the game of course! I think I will be able to improve a lot over there. It feels to me that in the US they work a bit less on the collective aspect of the game and stress a lot the individual one. So I will have more opportunities to work on my shot for instance. In Europe a lot is based on the group, on the team in itself. We will see how it goes.

You’re capable to play at various positions on the court (PG, SG, SF, PF), did the ASU coaching staff tell you which position will be yours overseas? Which position do you actually prefer?

I played PG for many years until my knee injuries. When I came back I started playing at the SG position. Right now I play 3 different positions: SG, SF & PF. With my club I play 3 & 4 and with the Spanish NT I play 2 & 3 and this is where I feel most comfortable.

What is so far your best memory in your career?

I don’t have a favorite memory. I love to go play with the NT. We’re like a family, I’m really enjoying being with the girls! We spend so many hours together, on and off the court. We know each other very well. We laugh a lot together. Basketball is what brings us together but outside basketball we talk a lot and have a lot of fun. I love it, it’s great.

Do you have a player that inspires you?

I get this question a lot and I always answer the same: I don’t have a specific idol. I’m more interested in different plays from various players that I try to copy and add to my arsenal.

And right now what action/play are you trying to incorporate?

I really dig Sergio Llul’s 3 point shot in transition. I definitely would like to have that one down. For the moment I still need more confidence and efficiency to be able to do it on a regular base. But I’m working on it a lot.

5 years after starting to play at the senior level, do you see a difference in your approach of the game? Do you feel more mature or are you still in a phase of discovering?

There is a big difference between playing with adults and playing with players from your age category. By playing with older players I learned a lot, especially on the mental/focus aspect of the game. I feel like there is much more concentration and seriousness with older players than with players from the youth teams. On a personal levle I prefer to play with and against older players.

Since your two knee injuries, did you make any changes in your preparation routine?

By now these injuries are history for me. I overcame really difficult times but my sensations are great, I don’t feel any pain besides when the weather is changing. Since the injuries I did change a lot of stuff. Now I spend a lot of time warming up, doing specific exercices to prepare my body for the effort so that it doesn’t happen again. I learned to strengthen my upper part and my lower part in order to prevent future injuries. I spend many hours in the lifting room now and I didn’t before. But it also made me change my way of playing. Between before and after the injuries I feel like I’m a totally different player. Before the injury I was more aggressive, more “brutal”. Now I calmed down a bit. I play more precautiously, I don’t jump on all loose balls like before. But I play with a lot of confidence in my body nevertheless.

Who is the most difficult player you got to play against?

Maria Vadeeva! She is so strong and tough. I played against her at the U19 Worlds. She gives me extra motivation to try to beat her. She’s the one I can think of like that.

What does your mother tell you at this point of your development? What kind of tips do you get from her?

My mother has always been supportive of me and always made sure I was happy. She told me that if basketball is what makes me happy then I have to give my 100% to it. The fact that I will leave to the US soon makes her a bit sad because I’m still and will always be her little girl but on the other hand she is really proud of me, for the opportunity that comes my way to playfor a great university, with great players. And further up she wished me to achieve playing in the WNBA and to get a call from the Spanish senior NT.

Do you know anything about the PAC-12?

When I visited Arizona State I wasn’t really aware of the system in the NCAA, which conferences, which teams were strong etc. But by now I heard more about it and I know PAC-12 is a really tough conference, very physical with great players in every team.

How did the coaching staff of Arizona State present to you your role, what they expect from you ?

They want me to be an important player on my own but also that I play well collectively with the rest of the team. They insisted that I must work on my outside shot, which i totally agree with, and on my defense because the team’s defense is very aggressive. Besides that they like my way of playing.

Knowing you’re the #2 international prospect of your generation and come in with a 5-star recruit sign, does that put any sort of added pressure on you?

When I discovered I was #2 I was really surprised but in the same time very happy. I had no idea there even was such a thing as a ranking for prospects. Rather than adding pressure, it only gives me more motivation to improve and to become a key player, a player that is recognized. I wouldn’t mind if people would know who I am, like Pau Gasol.

What do you remember the most from your visit to Arizona State ?

How people were with one another, the respect among everybody (players and staff), the trust and the good spirit. Also the way they worked. That’s why i chose ASU. Moreover I remember the infrastructure on campus. I come from a humble club here in Spain, so when I visited I coudn’t believe all what I was seeing. I am super excited to go there.

Is there a specific player or team from the PAC-12 that you look forward playing against ?

The truth is that I didn’t think about it yet. So for the moment no one. Once the season will be over next year I will be able to know exactly who I’m looking forward to playing against again !

What are your hobbies outside of basketball ?

I love to listen to music, to read, to go shopping but above all i love to sleep. I consider myself a big sleepyhead !

MUCHAS GRACIAS IRIS!