We knew the journey was far from over for Forever Buff Mya Hollingshed. She was chosen as the No. 8th overall pick in the WNBA Draft back in April to the Las Vegas Aces. While they did see a promising future in Mya they decided not to keep her in the end. But as one door closes another door opens. She never gave up hope that a better future in basketball was lurking just around the corner. It was.
The Puerto Rico Basketball Federation got approved from FIBA for Mya Hollingshed to join their national team and represent them. She has been interested in playing for Puerto Rico for quite some time now, and now is able to do it. According to PRBF and Jerry Batista they had been looking to naturalize a player like Mya who is already capable of being a professional star, and one who can broaden their program to challenge the best in basketball.
Mya Hollingshed is Colorado royalty. There will be probably be few athletes who come along in Boulder as great as she was. For the Buffaloes she was a team member who enjoyed and took pride in making everyone around her better. An unselfish player who took a once struggling team all the way back to the NCAAW Tournament. She is equipped with that kind of experience to help a team climb that ladder.
Though not heavily recruited out of high school, her collegiate head coach JR Payne always saw huge potential in her. When Mya commits to something she has the work ethic and drive to go all the way. She helped Payne turn the program into one of the most successful ones in the Pac-12, so when have no doubt she can continue that at the next level.
Mya was just coming off a dream season before being drafted to the WNBA. Once again selected to the All-Pac-12 first-team. And for another year had an All-America honorable-mention. She punched her name in a lot of the record books in Boulder. After spending 5 years leading the Buffaloes she finished off her collegiate career getting the Buffs back to the first NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament since 2013. A promise she made to team after finishing her 4th year, and a dream she made come true.
The FIBA Basketball World Cup will take place in Sydney, Australia on September 22nd thru October 1st. While we won’t get to see Mya shine in a WNBA jersey just yet we now have the chance to see her shine for Puerto Rico, and continue to make everyone in Buff Nation proud. Puerto Rico will now be adopting a large set of Colorado fans as we are in full support of Mya and the success of Puerto Rico basketball. Best of luck in September and for years to come.