SAN ANTONIO – University of the Incarnate Word women's basketball standout Nina De Leon Negron has taken her talents back home to Puerto Rico this summer to play with the Under-23 National Team.  

Beginning on July 12, Nina will head to Toronto, Canada as a member of the first Under-23 Team to represent Puerto Rico. Her team will be playing at Globl Jam, a five-game showcase of talent from all across the globe, including the United States, Canada, and the Basketball Africa League (BAL Select).  

Nina has been representing her home country since securing a spot on the U16 team where she played in several international tournaments including the 2021 Centrobasket Women's Championship in Chile to classify for the 2021 FIBA Women's AmriCup. Nina worked her way up from the Under-17 Team all the way to playing with the Puerto Rican National Team in a tournament in El Salvador in 2021.  

When asked what it means to be able to play for her home country Nina said, "It means a lot because not everyone that's from Puerto Rico gets to represent their country and it's not that easy to play for the team. There is a lot of talent, people that play in the states that want to be a part of it. It's definitely a pleasure and I'm glad I have the opportunity to play and represent Puerto Rico." 

While playing internationally is great for both experience and exposure, it is very different from the game she plays here in the states. "It's more physical," Nina said, "I would say the pace here [UIW] is faster, playing in the NCAA is definitely faster." 

Even though the international game differs from the brand of basketball she plays here at UIW, Nina has found ways to translate her experiences with the Puerto Rican team to the court here at UIW.  

"They [Puerto Rican National Team] play me physical so that helped me with my mind set and the way I would see the game," Nina said. "I feel like practicing with the national team will help me see the game different."  

Nina is coming off a stellar junior season where she was named Southland Conference Newcomer of the Year, along with appearing on the All-Defensive Team and Second Team All-Conference. She still has two more years to play at UIW, but she doesn't plan on stopping there.  

"I want to make my life out of basketball, so I want to keep playing wherever, I want to keep playing." 

You find more information about Nina and the U23 Puerto Rican national team at the Globl Jam website. 

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