Moon Township, Pa. – Esther Castedo, a rising sophomore guard on the Robert Morris University women's basketball team, has been selected to Spain's final roster for the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) Under-19 Women's World Cup.
"Esther impressed us with a work ethic that separated herself from others," said Robert Morris head coach Charlie Buscaglia. "The role she earned on our team during last season's run is a testament to the unwavering passion she has to become a better student-athlete. I'm very excited for these efforts to be recognized in earning her way onto the U19 Spanish National Team. It's going to be a great joy to watch her compete with her homeland as they battle against the best."
A product of Lugo, Spain, Castedo and 15 other players will begin preparations for the World Cup with the Barakaldo Tournament on July 6-7, followed by a single game against Holland, and two versus Portugal. Spain begins World Cup play on Saturday, July 20 in a Group D match against Colombia, faces Japan on Sunday, July 21, and closes group stage action on Tuesday, July 23 against Germany.
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Spain Group Stage Games (all times in EST):
Saturday, July 20 | Colombia vs. Spain | 5:45 AM
Sunday, July 21 | Spain vs. Japan | 5:30 AM
Tuesday, July 23 | Germany vs. Spain | 7:45 AM
Last summer, Castedo was a key contributor in Spain's run to a silver medal at the FIBA U18 Women's European Championship. She saw 19.8 minutes per contest off the bench, pacing the team in plus/minus per game (+7.1) while averaging 7.9 points and 2.0 assists. The guard reached double-figures scoring twice, including a 12-point effort on 5-of-7 shooting in the quarterfinal round against Belgium.
Castedo then carried that momentum into a successful freshman season at RMU, as she helped the team reach its sixth NCAA Tournament. The dynamic guard averaged 6.2 points and 1.9 rebounds in 18.9 minutes per game as a reserve, and ranked ninth in the Northeast Conference (NEC) in three-point percentage (.364). In the NEC Championship Game against Saint Francis U, Castedo buried a three-pointer with 1:04 remaining to seal the Colonials' eighth NEC Tournament title.
Castedo has previously represented her country at the U15, U16, and aforementioned U18 levels. Spain is currently ranked second worldwide in the FIBA World Ranking presented by Nike.
Robert Morris finished the 2018-19 campaign with a 22-11 overall record, capturing its eighth NEC Tournament title and advancing to its sixth NCAA Tournament. The Colonials also won their third straight NEC regular-season crown and are slated to return their top six scorers, headlined by NEC Defensive Player of the Year and First Team selection Nneka Ezeigbo.
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