Pamela Rosado, Puerto Rico making history in Women's Olympic Basketball Tournament

MIAMI (USA) - While some of her current teammates were just learning how to walk and talk, Pamela Rosado was making her debut for the Puerto Rico women’s national team appearance in 2004.

Now, after almost two decades with the team, Rosado, who is the oldest player on the roster at 35 years old, is making history for her country, as they are currently competing in their first ever Olympic games for the country.

The current Puerto Rico’s women’s national team has made history many times over the last few months: first, the team appeared in the first ever FIBA Women’s AmeriCup Final and secured their best-ever result with a silver medal.

"It has been a beautiful experience to take Puerto Rico to such a high level. It's spectacular to be here after so many women have fought to achieve this, and we finally did it. We have them in our heart while we're here," Rosado told the Puerto Rican Olympic committee in a recent interview.

Now in their first Olympics games, a sport they clinched with an upset win over top ranked Brazil at the Olympic Qualifying tournament, Rosado continues to lead the charge as the team’s point guard who not only provides leadership and playmaking expertise, but also is a force from the floor when it comes to shooting.

Though their first game against China - the Group C pool leader - was not the debut the team had hoped for, Rosado still scored over a quarter of the team’s 55 points, leading the team in scoring with 14.

Rosado was also the most consistent player from beyond the three-point arc, shooting 60 percent and getting nine of her 15 points from the three.

The scrappy guard also had a game-high of four steals, and Puerto Rico was able to score 14 points from turnovers due to forcing errors while on defense - a style of play she has been executing since she began with the squad.

"Stepping onto this court was a priceless experience, and we know that we're facing the best 12 teams in the world. We have the heart to continue showing up and playing our best in the remaining games and try to get the win to go to the next round," Rosado said.

The game against China may be the first time many basketball fans on a global level have seen Rosado’s gritty style of play come to life, but it’s far from the first time the veteran has led the charge for Puerto Rico when they need it most.

In March, during the Centrobasket tournament in El Salvador, Rosado was named MVP of the tournament and averaged 13.5 points and 5.8 rebounds for her team to help them secure gold and a spot at the AmeriCup, which led to a spot at the FIBA Women’s World Cup Qualifiers.

Since Rosado joined the team, their potential has risen and Puerto Rico has recruited many talents to allow them to grow the game at a national level, and leaders like Rosado are a main reason why many choose to play for the team - to get to learn from one of the best female basketball players that Puerto Rico has ever seen.

Top finishes at the AmeriCup, Pan American Games and Centrobasket titles, World Cup and now Olympic appearances are all focal points on any resume. But for Rosado, it is a testament to not only her work as an individual, but of her effort to grow women's basketball in Puerto Rico as a member of the team and beyond. Her impact has changed the landscape of Puerto Rican women’s basketball forever.

FIBA