TAMPA, FL. - There is one word that keeps getting used to describe Maria Alvarez.
“She’s a winner,” said USF women’s basketball head coach Jose Fernandez.
- Maria Alvarez was born in Colombia
- Alvarez starred at Miami Country Day – winning six FHSAA state titles
- Alvarez was rated a four-star recruit by ESPN
Alvarez hasn’t done a lot of losing in her time on a basketball court. She won six state titles at Miami Country Day. That’s every year between seventh grade and her senior season.
“I started off in seventh grade playing with these varsity people and I think I really grew in their shadows throughout all those years,” said Alvarez.
What could be seen in the shadows was a star; and it was getting brighter and brighter. By her senior year in high school Alvarez blossomed into a four star recruit. Her resume included MVP of the prestigious Nike Tournament of Champions (held annually in Phoenix, AZ) and a member of the Colombian U17 national team. She could’ve gone anywhere for college – but there was only one place she wanted to be.
“I only took one visit and it was (to USF),” said Alvarez, who was recruiting by the likes of Kentucky and Virginia Tech. “That’s all I really needed to see. All the diversity, and I really felt comfortable with Coach Jose (Fernandez).”
In just a handful of games Maria has made an immediate impact for the Bulls. And she’s felt right at home with a team that is more like one big family.
“The team really pushes you and we all push each other,” said Alvarez. “We are always there for each other. No one ever gets on each other if we do something bad. We are always there for each other.”
Respect is easy to find at the Yuengling Center; especially when you’re as gifted as Alvarez.
“Offensively, with the ball in her hands, and also away from the ball, she’s just got something that you can’t teach,” said Fernandez. “She just has a really good feel.”
“Most of the time I’m just looking to score,” said Alvarez. “When the ball is in my hands I just think that I have to be effective – always scoring and always just being that extra backup for all my players on the floor.”
That mix of confidence and humility carried Maria Alvarez throughout her life on the court. Now the hope is it will guide her and this USF team to big things not only this season, but her entire career at USF.
“She’s going to be a special player,” said Fernandez. “She’s going to have a great career here at USF.”