Lundquist: From baby baller to reluctant star and a sleepless senior night

SODERTALJE (FIBA Women's EuroBasket 2019 / EuroCup Women) – Most young children shed tears when losing a favorite toy, but it’s the memory of not being able to make a basket that is indelibly marked in the memory of Klara Lundquist.

Not that the Swedish rising star needs to push the rewind button for too long to recall the incident.

A BABY BALLER

Still a teenager at 19-years-old, Lundquist is one of the most talented players of her generation in Europe and has never been destined for anything other than a career in hoops.

 
"I was born into a typical basketball family since my sisters, mom and dad all played, so basically I grew up in a basketball gym," she revealed.

"It all started at Alvik Baskets summer camps that took place every summer. I've been at that camp every year since I was a baby.

"I especially remember one summer when I first felt that feeling of striving after something. The feeling of stubbornness. I was only 4-years-old when me and my mom where practicing some shots on the basket and I was crying because I couldn't make a single one."

 
It sparked what was to follow during the next decade or so, as Lundquist set in motion her plans to put in endless and often unseen hours of work in pursuit of success.

"I've always been a player that wants to do everything perfectly and I've always practiced a lot to become the best player I can," declared Lundquist.

"I got up at 5 in the morning to have time to practice before school and if I played bad in a game, I would go to the gym at 12 at night, practicing the situations I did wrong.

"I just really love to win and I hate to lose," she added.

A RELUCTANT STAR MAKING PEACE WITH SPOTLIGHT

Lundquist is brutally honest in admitting that despite having this unwavering determination, there is still an imbalance in terms of her reluctance to lap-up the recognition for her accomplishments. 

 
Slowly but surely, basketball is re-calibrating her evolution on and off the court - although there is still some way to go.

"I was shy when I was a kid and even as a younger teenager, but as I developed my game and my basketball skills I have also changed as a person," she confessed.

"I would say that on the court, I'm ambitious, distinct, serious and that I have a big head for winning – certainly compared to off the court, where my friends would probably describe me as relaxed, kind, spontaneous and funny.

"So, I guess that I am one person on the court and another off the court. I always want to be remembered as a good teammate and a good person. This is so very important to me."

 
Meanwhile her leadership skills, which are often scrutinized due to her status as a marquee player, are slowly beginning to rise to the fore – albeit in a non-traditional sense.

"As a point guard, you need to have leadership and that I've also been told all the time - but my leadership is quite different to others," said Lundquist.

"I don't have that screaming and pointing personality as many point guards have and that's something I'm growing into and still learning. The leadership that I have more naturally, is taking that responsibility in different situations.

"The spotlight that inevitably comes with careers and success has not been a favorite for me. I mean I really love to take the last shot and winning games, but the thing I'm not so comfortable with is the attention around it.

"I just want to play, have fun and achieve my goals. So I've been good at focusing on what's important for me, in terms of building my career and not being distracted with some of the things that come with it.

"That also describes my humility in the game. I don't let anything go to my head," she stressed.

A SLEEPLESS SENIOR NIGHT

During recent times, Lundquist has come of basketball age by taking her place with the senior team – one that is now looking forward to lining up at FIBA Women's EuroBasket 2019.
 
But even if Lundquist has been given the moniker as the most exciting Swedish talent to emerge in years, that does not mean the player herself was able to stride into the camp without a few butterflies in the stomach.

"Of course, I was nervous and I remember that I barely got any sleep at all," recalled the guard.

"But my nervousness did turn into something good and it eventually turned me into being brave and playing without respect.

"That's something I've carried with me during all the years. No matter who I'm playing against, it can't disturb my game and my self-confidence. I couldn't wait to get the chance to practice with the best players in our country. I couldn't wait to learn and compete against players I've been following all the years.

 
"I was most excited to work with Elin and Frida Eldebrink, because they are really good guards and have been playing at the highest level in Europe for many years. Their winning mentality is something I really look up to and I feel very connected to this."

REALIZING THE DREAM

If things go well and Lundquist stays healthy and works hard, a debut at FIBA Women's EuroBasket 2019 looks a no-brainer.

Considering Sweden missed out at the previous edition and their belated return will be accompanied by a massive fan following in Latvia, every player in contention is now counting down the days.

"I'm super excited for the summer as it will be my first major championship with the seniors and I can't wait," said Lundquist.

"It's always special to represent your country, but what I've heard and seen is that this is a whole other level. To play against the best players in Europe is huge for me, since it has always been a dream that now comes true.

"We want to show that we're up to something here in Sweden and that we can be one of the top teams in Europe. Also, it would be great if people in Sweden can get their eyes open for the sport and maybe grow it so more people can start to play."

She continued, "France, Montenegro and Czech Republic are three good teams and yes it could have been worse, because we were the last seeds in the draw.

 
"I'm so excited to play against France since they are a great team from a big basketball country with players I enjoy watching, such as Marine Johannes.

"Our goal is to take a medal or at least end up in a spot where we can reach the Qualifying Tournament for the Olympics. That means that we must beat the top teams too, so we need to contain that focus through the preparations and through the championship to achieve our goal."

ALL GUNS BLAZING IN EUROCUP WOMEN

For anyone that has perhaps not yet fully digested the immense potential of Lundquist, look no further than her exploits in EuroCup Women recently. Not least, when she poured in 32 points during a game for Sodertalje.

“It's been fun to see that I can play against these great players out there and to see that I'm ready to take the step out to play internationally," claimed Lundquist.

"Getting that confirmation that the work you put in every day is paying off means a lot to me. That also inspires me to work even more to see how far I can go with my talent."

And, judging by her showings so far, Lundquist is going to go quite some distance and all women's basketball fans can thankfully sit back and enjoy watching her impressive journey.

FIBA