Elena Buenavida Named to Spain’s Preliminary World Cup Squad

Elena Buenavida has cemented her status as a key figure in Spanish basketball after being named to the 21-player preliminary squad for the upcoming World Cup in Berlin. In an interview with El Día, the Tenerife-born point guard confirmed she is currently undergoing intensive training across Tenerife, Madrid, and Valencia, all with the goal of securing a spot on Miguel Méndez’s final roster.

This year has been a major turning point in Buenavida’s career. After a successful loan spell at Gernika—a strategy used by Valencia Basket to develop young talent—she returned to the club to take on a leading role. Her return helped the team secure both the League title and the Queen’s Cup. Buenavida noted that these victories were particularly meaningful, as the team overcame a season of roster instability and entered the playoffs without being the favorites.

Beyond team success, fans awarded her the "Effort Trophy," recognizing her impact on the game beyond just the statistics. The club is now entering a period of transition as coach Rubén Burgos departs. He will be replaced by Javi Torralba, a coach Buenavida knows well from her time at the Siglo XXI training center. She views this change as a positive step.

On the international stage, Buenavida remains ambitious about eventually playing in the WNBA. While she acknowledges that the American game requires specific physical and technical adjustments, she is currently focused on 5x5 basketball, putting her previous success in the 3x3 format on the back burner.

With a friendly tournament approaching in Tenerife, Buenavida is eager to showcase the growth of women’s basketball in the Canary Islands. While she remains cautious about the final World Cup roster, she is committed to the national team’s goal of staying competitive at the highest level of European basketball.