Introducing the Class of 2026 Beyond Basketball
The Berenson Trophy is given to each inductee, named after founder of women’s basketball Senda Berenson. The Beyond the Berenson series is designed to tell the stories of the members of the Class of 2026 outside of their extraordinary basketball accomplishments. The Class of 2026 features some of the greatest players, coaches, and contributors that women’s basketball has ever seen. Amaya Valdemoro is one of them.
Authentically Amaya
Amaya Valdemoro first wanted to be an Olympian in track and field. When basketball entered her life at age 13, her race to be a track gold medalist concluded. She traded elation at the finish line for hugs and high fives shared with teammates from then on out.
Valdemoro became a professional at a young age when she left her house at age 15 to begin playing for clubs in Spain and the Euroleague. Her parent’s unwavering confidence in her abilities motivated her success and drove her forward.
She also credits her love of the game for being the driver of her success. “That was the motor of my career,” Valdemoro says. “I was loving just going to practice [and] games.”
Valdemoro’s enthusiasm, not only for basketball but for life, is infectious. “I’m goofy, very loyal, and I cry for everything,” Valdemoro says with a laugh. “And I try to make my friends’ lives better.”
Her contagious personality is now on display in her role as an on-screen analyst and commentator for Movistar. Valdemoro says she got the call to join the broadcasting team once she retired in 2013, fittingly right after winning her final European Championship.
“It’s a really hard job. You need to be very prepared, study teams, study the players,” Valdemoro expresses.
Her ability to relate to others allows her to be aware of the number of living rooms she’s welcomed into as a commentator. It’s her job to translate the game to the audiences, allowing them to connect to what they are watching. “One of the things I try to do is try to be natural. I don’t use a lot of basketball terms. I try to explain like very common so everybody at home [can] understand.”
Valdemoro’s warm personality extends to the friendships and relationships she’s made along the way, both in the WNBA and playing in Spain. In fact, Valdemoro credits her parents for molding her into the woman she’s become.
“I’m not proud about how many tournaments I won or everything. It’s because the people really like me for the person who I am,” Valdemoro explains.
Her selflessness drives her aspirations for the next generation to be even better. For Valdemoro, it was never about her. It was about paving the way for those to come after her.
“I’m honored and pleased that I was the first in Spain to open many, many doors for others,” Valdemoro states. “I was so lucky to be one of the players that start to change our basketball. I think that was one of my biggest accomplishments.”
Valdemoro expresses great joy in seeing six Spanish players currently playing in the WNBA. She may be the first Spanish player to be inducted, but Valdemoro firmly believes she won’t be the last.
“My legacy was or is that you can open many doors even if you think it's impossible, you can do it,” Valdemoro expresses.
Still, Valdemoro’s hopes are in growing the game and increasing the visibility for female athletes. “I hope women’s basketball gets more recognized. We are on the way to getting better.”
You can watch Amaya's full interview on our YouTube channel.
Written by Jadyn Zdanvage
