Orts Runs with the Stags; Helps Spain to Gore Way to Victory in European Championship

Helena Orts, power forward for the Fairfield University Women’s Basketball team, has been safely running with the Stags this past year, not “running with the bulls” in her native Spain like thousands of thrill-seekers. But this summer, the 18-year-old has done plenty of running and enjoyed plenty of thrills as a member of the Spanish National Team in the FIBA Under-20 Euro Basketball Championship. Orts helped Spain to gore France in a 66-47 victory in the final this past Sunday, July 12th, finishing a nine game run to the title. It was Spain’s fourth championship in five years.

The 6-2 Barcelona native completed her first college season this year at Fairfield before heading overseas to participate in the Euro Championship.

“It is an awesome feeling,” Orts said. “Being selected from thousands of people to represent my country, there are no words.”

In the nine games played throughout the tournament in Europe, Orts did a different kind of goring, as a catalyst on the inside, averaging 8.7 ppg and 4.8 rpg. The “Spanish Stag” registered double-digit scoring on four occasions, including a personal high of 18 points against the Czech Republic. Helena was a major contributor in the final with eight points and five boards, as Spain pulled away to the championship. Orts was second among all players competing in the tournament in two-point field goal percentage with 55.9 percent accuracy. Her consistency inside was vital to Spain’s victory.

In her freshman year, Orts played in 31 games, 12 as a starter. The Institut Secretari Coloma High School product averaged 4.4 ppg and 3.3 rebounds in 14.5 minutes a game during a building block rookie season.

“I personally think that I have improved a lot since the end of last year,” Orts said. “My teammates and the staff have taught me many things. I have become stronger and smarter and have learned how to adapt myself in a new environment.”

Other American collegiate players on the Championship Spanish team include: Laia Flores (University of South Florida), Yaiza Rodriguez (Boise St.), Marina Lizarazu (Iona College), Leticia Romero (Florida St. University), Laura Quevedo (Played for University of Miami in 2014-15 Season), Judith Sole (Duquesne University), and Sara Zaragoza (University of Portland).

The experience of playing overseas as a team mate and against other high caliber players in a tournament of this magnitude is sure to help Helena grow as a player and major contributor in the Stags’ lineup. Happy that she’s not running with the bulls in her native land, and elated and more experienced with the international competition, Orts is now poised to run with the Stags for bigger and better things under Fairfield head coach Joe Frager. The coach has to be singing Tito Puente’s hit made famous by Santana, Oye Como Va, and it is going just fine. Frager likes the rhythm of this song very much indeed.