Not everyone is cutout for Division I college basketball. Sophomore Lucia Alonso makes that clear in her explanation of the team motto "Made for It."

Alonso, born and raised in León, Spain, is definitely cut out for this program. She has been a member of the Spanish National team since 2014 and just came off an eighth place finish in the U-19 Women's Basketball World Cup in Italy this July. The second-year starter shot 43% from the 3-point line last season and looks to hone in on her ball-handling skills, which, in suit, will free up her shot more.

ArizonaWildcats.com sat down with Alonso to better understand the meaning behind the motto "Made for it" and how she looks to contribute to her teammates this season.
 
What does the phrase "Made for It" to you?
A: "It means the people who are in this program are special, they have something that makes them made for it to be in this program, practice with these coaches and be here. It's hard to take time out for all the practices, all the weights, it's tough and I don't think everyone is prepared for that and that's why they [Coaches] brought people here who are prepared for all of that."

What does a typical week look like for you?
A: "I have class Monday, Wednesday, Friday and we have practice four days a week, weights four days a week, along with conditioning.

What skills do you look to improve on this season?
A: "My ball handling, defense and my booster step.

What would you say is the biggest difference between playing here versus playing back home?
A: "I would say the athleticism. The people here are more athletic, they jump higher and they're faster. In Europe, the style is more tactical. Here you don't have to run as many plays as you would in Europe, because in Europe we have about twenty plays. Here we have maybe six.

At what age did you realize that basketball was your thing?
A: "I'd have to say I was about twelve."

How often do you make it back home?
A: "This summer I went home for two months and I played with the Spain U-19 national team and we played in the world championship. I was practicing pretty much the whole summer.

What keeps you hyped or motivates you to do this day-in and day-out?
A: "I talk to my mom because sometimes we'll talk and I don't think about basketball. Sometimes I think it is important to step off the court when it comes to other parts of your life. I think it's important to have balance. Everything can't be basketball-basketball-basketball, you have to have friends not just on the team, you have to do other things then just play basketball.

What do you hope to accomplish by the end of this season?
A: "I would like to go to March Madness. One year we were like one game away and it was very frustrating. This year we have a lot of freshmen so we have to work a lot; everything is new for them and I know how that feels, because last year I was a freshman. So, I think we have to work a lot, but I think we are doing good and I think we can get some key wins in the Pac-12 too and I think the goal is to make it into the postseason."

How do you feel about this new recruiting class coming in next year?
A: "I think they are great! We are ranked fourth. Yeah, that's awesome, we're gonna have a great team next year.

Alonso and the Wildcats are currently 1-0 on the season and are set to play at Utah State on Friday November 17 in Logan, Utah at 7pm MST.

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