On Sunday, the forward helped Latvia beat Israel and qualify for the European Championship finals for the tenth time. Laksa averaged 17.7 points, 3.3 rebounds and 2.3 assists in 34.7 minutes in the first three qualifying games. The player made 45.7% of shots from the game, including 68.4% of three-point shots.
There were four players born and raised in the USA in Israel’s twelve, while the fifth – Jenny Sims – sat on the team’s bench. Alexandra Cohen, Jennifer Fleischer and Alyssa Byron were allowed by FIBA to play as Israeli players, while Drew Edelman filled in as a naturalized player in the tournament.
“I don’t want to say yes or no. Neither for nor against. My opinion is that we do not need such a thing at this time,” on Monday, the best Latvian basketball player of 2022 said about the naturalization of players in “Sporta studija”. “Of course, we are not blind and we see what is happening. It is possible that teams with several naturalized American players will compete in the European Championship – or, you know, from where.”
The data shows that several national teams use new naturalized players every cycle. For example, Kori Enghuizen (Korel Engin), Kristen Newlin (Nevin Vatansever), Kvanitra Hollingsworth, Latoya “Lara” Sanders, Kaya Stokes and Teaira McCowan have played in the Turkish women’s national team since 2005.
A similar course of events – a new naturalized player in each qualification cycle – has also been observed in other countries of the region. For example, naturalized American players Ashley Paris, Chrissie Givens, Devana Bonner (older sister of Valmiera player Justin McCall) and Merritt Hempe have been admitted to the North Macedonia national team in recent years.
“An interesting point of view – to see that we, Latvian girls, compete against “mixed” national teams. This is probably the direction in which all national teams are going,” said Laksa.
“If we can fight on our own, the pride (of what we have done) is much greater. As long as we can, we must stick to it, unequivocally. If a small opportunity (appears) with some ambition, I don’t think you have to run with it,” said David Ernstreit, head of “Sports Studio”.
Kitty Lacks agreed with the reporter. “Right now, it’s pride. Proud to be and wear the Latvian uniform. I don’t know how proud that other player will be… If we could fill the Olympic Center, the future dream would be to fill the Riga Arena.”
The player believes that Latvian club basketball should be represented at the highest level. “(We) don’t have as many Euroleague players as we would like, but there is room for progress – for girls who want to play in Eurocups and strong national leagues. It is a pity that the level of the Latvian league is falling – it hurts and undermines Latvian women’s basketball. I hope that next year we will get together and arrange to be a domestic club – capable of playing at the European level.”
