Awa Fam is coming stateside. She grew up in Santa Pola, Spain, and it was there that her two older brothers, Tala and Karim, introduced her to basketball. The rest is history. Or perhaps it\u2019s more accurate to say the rest is history in the making.<\/p>\n
On April 13, Fam was selected as the No. 3 overall pick in the WNBA draft<\/a>, where she became the highest-drafted Spaniard ever. In May, she\u2019ll join the Seattle Storm as a center, leaving behind a four-year run with Valencia Basket<\/a>, a professional basketball club that competes in the EuroLeague<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cEveryone at home has been texting me that they\u2019re proud of me, and I even got a video from [Spanish former power forward] Pau Gasol<\/a>. I\u2019m so proud to represent Spain,\u201d the 19-year-old tells Bustle.<\/p>\n At the draft, Fam walked the orange carpet in a draped red dress from Turkish resortwear brand Siedr\u00e9s<\/a> and waited for her name to be called. \u201cIt was like a dream,\u201d she says of draft night. When she went onstage to get her new team\u2019s jersey, she looked into the crowd and saw her dad, brothers, and friends, who all flew to the U.S. for the occasion.<\/p>\n Her mom was hosting a draft watch party back in Spain. \u201cThat moment when my mom called me and said, \u2018Awa, I\u2019m super proud of you\u2019 was unforgettable,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n Achieving her dream of playing in the W is major for Fam, who loves that the popularity of women\u2019s sports has skyrocketed internationally in recent years.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s really incredible how right now, not only basketball or soccer<\/a>, but also volleyball and handball are all getting more attention,\u201d she says. \u201cI\u2019m so proud of being a female sport player. We need to continue showing people what we love.\u201d<\/p>\n Here, Fam talks about draft night, her basketball hero, and what she\u2019s looking forward to in the W.<\/p>\n How does it feel to be heading to Seattle?<\/p>\n I\u2019m so excited. It\u2019s amazing to go to a historic team. I already know Dominique Malonga<\/a> because I played against her [in Europe], and now I\u2019m going to practice with her and get to know her even more.<\/p>\n How did you choose the red dress<\/a> you wore to the draft?<\/p>\n I worked with a stylist [Courtney Mays], and just one day before the draft I was trying on the dress. For me, the color red is perfect. I saw it in the mirror and knew it was the one.<\/p>\n Do you have any tunnel walk outfits planned yet?<\/p>\n I love fashion, so I know it\u2019s going to be good. I love being comfortable in my clothes, but I also love to be elegant.<\/p>\n Who was your favorite player growing up?<\/p>\n I always have to say A\u2019ja Wilson<\/a>. She\u2019s my idol.<\/p>\n How would you describe your playing style?<\/p>\n I\u2019m a super patient player, and I\u2019m also versatile and smart when I\u2019m on the court. If I have the ball in my hands, I\u2019m always thinking about what\u2019s best for my team. I would say that I\u2019m humble. For my height [6 feet 4 inches], I\u2019m also fast. I like to run and open the court.<\/p>\n What does your schedule look like now?<\/p>\n I\u2019m finishing my career here in Valencia. We have one more game, then after that it\u2019s playoffs [on April 28<\/a>]. I\u2019d feel very lucky to win the championship.<\/p>\n And then it\u2019s off to Seattle! How will you handle the transition?<\/p>\n My family will be there with me, and my friends are going to visit me. My new coach, Sonia [Raman]<\/a>, is so nice, and so are all of the players. We\u2019ve been talking in a group chat. So I feel calm, and I\u2019m looking forward to being there.<\/p>\n What are you most excited about as you head to the WNBA?<\/p>\n I\u2019m looking forward to showing who I am and learning more about the W. It was always my dream to play in the league.<\/p>\n This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.<\/p>\n Get Even More From Bustle \u2014 Sign Up For The Newsletter<\/p>\n From hair trends to relationship advice, our daily newsletter has everything you need to sound like a person who\u2019s on TikTok, even if you aren\u2019t.<\/p>\n