Kortrijk’s top talent Lore Devos (22) returns from the US

As a young player, I played for several years with the national team at several European championships and at the Youth Olympic Games ”, Lore opens the conversation. “The coaches of the colleges attend these European championships, during this period I was contacted by several of these colleges, but I never answered them. It wasn’t until late, in March 2017, that I decided that it would be a good step for me to gain experience and combine basketball and study. Contacts were quickly established, Colorado State University seemed to me the best choice. In combination with top-level sport, I obtained my bachelor’s degree in biochemistry. “For the moment, only 5 Belgian players play in the NCAA. Few girls want to take this step. Personally, however, I would definitely recommend this. The time to start as a professional player will come later. You will have the opportunity to combine your sport with studies in order to obtain a diploma. For me, it was a great experience, an adventure. You will see many unique places and learn about other cultures and ways of life. It taught me a lot as a person and as a basketball player. “For Lore, who moved to the United States four years ago, it was mostly in her first year across the ocean that I had to adjust.” When I was a freshman it was a tough but very educational season, ”begins Lore. “We ended up in the mid-range as a team. In 2nd and 3rd year, we ended up at the bottom of the competition due to a few setbacks, a newly formed team and injuries. This year we were in the lead for a while, but we ended up finishing third. I found that a shame because it was really our goal to play the champions. Unfortunately, Covid ensured that we had a serious break at the end and lost the rhythm with the other teams. All mountain West Team “The last 4 years have been very educational for me, on and off the pitch. I had to adapt a bit to the style of play in which I also had to play in several positions. The coaches had a lot of confidence in me and soon I was part of the “starting five”. I needed to improve certain areas of my game, the coaches helped me enormously in this process. I worked many hours in the gym and in my second season the progress was quickly noticeable. An injury threw a wrench into my third year jobs, but it turned into an educational year in other areas and it also prepared me a bit to make the most of my senior year. During Covid’s short and distinct season, I was able to put myself in the spotlight for several matches. For example, I was elected to the All Mountain West team, a team made up of the best players. Lore went through a difficult time. “In my third year, I did actually have a knee injury in the first official game. It kept me on the sidelines for over 2 months which meant I had lost over half the season and never really got back on track when I got back on track. I suffered a tear in the middle tire, which I did not fully recover from until the summer after the season. Mentally it was difficult not being able to contribute to the team’s results on the pitch. “Am I satisfied with the progress I have made there?” Surely. “(Beams)” In college in America you have a very good environment. In addition to the coach you have 3 assistant coaches, a physiotherapist and a strength trainer. This way I became much stronger physically but also mentally. As the gym is available at any time of the day, you could often find me there. I put many hours into my three point shooting and jumping. It helps me to be dangerous in many areas of the game. “Lore’s adventure ended last weekend. Since the day she returned (Sunday), she had to be quarantined for a minimum of 7 days.” Prior to departure, I had to be able to present a negative covid test, on the day of my arrival I was tested again. A week before my departure I was lucky enough to be able to register at 16 years and over to vaccination against covid. Next weekend, I will be able to continue my quarantine in a nursing home. cances, then I can finally spend time with my family again. “Belgian Cats” The Cats training starts in May. It’s a busy schedule since the European Championship and the Olympic Games are taking place this summer. In preparation, a few matches are being played on Belgian soil. But there are also exhibition matches in Spain and just before the Games in Japan. My goal is certainly to one day be part of the permanent nucleus of the Cats. This summer, I hope to be able to participate as long as possible and gain experience. “” I already worked hard to get to where I am now. My goal now is to be able to work for a European team. Proposals are coming in now, my agent is watching everything. It is important to make the right decisions for my future. Every player with ambition dreams of entering the WNBA. Due to my years at university I start a bit later at a higher level in Europe, I certainly don’t find this a problem as it was a once in a lifetime experience that I will contribute to for the rest of my life. I will take it step by step. The competition in which I work must reach a certain level, playing Eurocup would be a bonus. These are steps that must be taken before eventually starting in the Euroleague, ”concludes Lore Devos. (EL)