Lucas looking forward to playing for Angola at FIBA Women's AfroBasket 2017

LUANDA (FIBA Women's AfroBasket 2017) - Angolan-American Italee Lucas is looking to become more than a household name on the continent of Africa.

In her fifth season in the Angolan National League, the 28-year-old point guard has won countless competitions at domestic level as well as three FIBA Africa Champions Cup Women (ACCW) dating back to 2013.

Nevertheless, the FIBA Women's AfroBasket title is yet to be added to her trophy cabinet.

The [Angolan] players are some of the top players in Africa so to be able to play alongside some of them on a national level would have been an honour." - Lucas

FIBA ACCW 2016 All-Star Five - from left to right: Mireille Nyota, Leia Dongue, Sequoia Holmes, Italee Lucas and Anabela Cossa.

Now, the 2013 FIBA ACCW MVP has set big goals for her adoptive country.

"I would love to see Angola grow not only stronger and faster but mature mentally as players," she said to FIBA.Basketball when asked about her prospect of representing Angola.

Two years ago, the US-born was granted Angolan citizenship, which ultimately made eligible to represent the Southern Africans at the FIBA Women's AfroBasket 2015 in Cameroon.

At the time, she was part of former African champions' preparations and travelled to Yaounde.

However, a last-minute FIBA decision ruled Lucas - who represented the USA at the 2007 FIBA U19 World Championship Women, ineligible to make her FIBA Women's AfroBasket debut.

Despite the disappointment, the 1.75m guard refused to throw in the towel and kept her dream of playing for Angola alive.

As this year’s African championship fast approaches - Mali (August, 18-27) - and with her status as a naturalized player cleared (according to the Angolan Basketball Federation), Lucas describes it as a special moment for her.

"It has been a privilege to be granted citizenship to play with the Angolan National team. The players are some of the top players in Africa so to be able to play alongside some of them on a national level would have been an honour.

"I was crushed when I didn't get the opportunity to play with them on the court, but it's always much bigger than basketball so the experiences I learned from, and had the chance to be part of during that [preparation of the national team] time I wouldn't have traded that for the world," she explained.

Lucas has been key to InterClube's success in recent years, prompting observers to describe her as present and future of Angola women’s basketball.

Italee Lucas hit 5 three-pointers in the FIBA ACCW Final against Ferroviario de Maputo

"I'm humbled by that complement," the former North Carolina University standout said. "As for the present, my passion for the game and work ethic will always be hard to match, and as the future."

Last week, Lucas propelled her InterClube to the Angolan League title after edging archrivals Primeiro D'Agosto 3-0.

Last December, Lucas scored 15 of her game-high 26 points from the beyond the arc as InterClube beat hosts Ferroviario de Maputo 67-49 in the 2016 FIBA ACCW Final in Maputo.

The key for InterClube’s latest success wasn't one moment, Lucas explained. "It was our mental capacity, our focus and heart every time we stepped on the court. We knew it wasn't going to be easy, but we took responsibility as individual players and as a team to bring our strengths every game and to encourage one another.

"Our chemistry is what put us ahead of every other team we played against. I wouldn't have wanted to play against us in this tournament."

During the Angolan league offseason, Lucas usually can be seen playing professionally in Europe.

How does she handle it?, FIBA.basketball asked her.

"It works for me because I'm a competitor. It's as simple as that," she offered.

And how a Las Vegas native adjusted to life in Angola?

"Angola has embraced me with open arms from day one. The adjustment hasn't always been easy but it has helped me not only grow as a basketball player but as a person, I have my InterClube family and teammates to thank for that I will forever be grateful."

FIBA