Jordan Garzon Eyes WNBA After Joining Top European Club
Translated & summarized from Sport5 by baba
Israeli basketball player Jordan Garzon has joined Spain's Zaragoza after a college career and a brief stint with the WNBA's Phoenix Mercury, where she was released due to injury. The 22-year-old forward aims to reach the WNBA while playing for a top European team. Garzon is adapting to the more physical European game and feels welcomed in Spain, despite concerns about antisemitism. She also expressed optimism about the growing talent in Israeli women's basketball.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Jordan Garzon joined Spanish club Zaragoza after not being drafted into the WNBA.
- Garzon was released by the WNBA's Phoenix Mercury due to a shoulder injury.
- She described the transition to European basketball as a significant step up in physicality and tactics.
- Garzon stated that the WNBA remains a future career goal.
- She has not personally experienced antisemitism in Spain and feels welcomed.
- Garzon expressed optimism about the current generation of young Israeli women's basketball players.
Israeli basketball player Jordan Garzon has joined Spanish club Zaragoza, a top team in one of Europe's premier leagues. At 22, Garzon's move to Zaragoza comes after a successful college career in the NCAA, where she played for Indiana and Maryland. Despite her collegiate achievements, she was not selected in the WNBA draft earlier this year. She later signed a non-guaranteed rookie contract with the Phoenix Mercury but was released due to a shoulder injury before training camp.
Garzon described the WNBA draft disappointment as "surprising" and "a bit hurtful," but quickly shifted focus to her new team. She acknowledged the significant difference in playstyle between college basketball and top European leagues, noting the increased pace, physicality, and tactical complexity. "It's a completely different world," she stated, emphasizing that her college experience was preparation for reaching elite levels like the EuroLeague and the WNBA.
Zaragoza has started the Spanish league season with three wins, with Garzon averaging 11 points per game. The team finished third in the EuroLeague and was the Spanish league runner-up last season, with ambitions to win all titles this year. Garzon is adapting to the more physical style of play in Europe, where referees allow more contact. She also highlighted the higher level of game understanding required at this level.
Looking ahead, Garzon affirmed that the path to the WNBA remains open. "Absolutely," she said, pointing to her young age and the presence of WNBA players on her current team as indicators. She also addressed concerns about antisemitism in Spain, stating that she has personally experienced no negative incidents and feels welcomed by the team and fans.
Garzon also commented on the promising generation of young Israeli women's basketball players, including the success of the U20 national team and players like Gal Raviv and Daniel Re'em. She expressed hope that this talent will lead to more Israeli players reaching high levels in Europe and potentially the WNBA, contributing to the growth of women's basketball in Israel.
