Katia Gallegos talks about the start of the pandemic
Katia Gallegos talks about the start of the pandemic
Wochit
Katia Gallegos didn’t need long to arrive exactly where she’s always wanted to be.
Through her time as a star point guard at Franklin, then UTEP, then Tulsa, Gallegos’ goal was to play professionally in Mexico, preferably as close to El Paso. That means Chihuahua City’s Adelitas de Chihuahua in Liga Caliente.mx LNBP Femenil, and while Gallegos is still a way from achieving the stardom she’s enjoyed at every level up to now, her professional journey has begun.
She and her team just returned from sweeping a weekend series at Halcones de Xalapa that kept them in second place in the nine-team league and kept the goal of back-to-back championships alive.
“It’s coming along well,” said Gallegos, who graduated from Tulsa this past spring after playing her last two college years there. “I’m just getting a few minutes, but I’m learning what it’s like to be a pro.
“This is always where I wanted to play. I wanted to be close to home, in front of my family. This is really always where I wanted to be.”
The Juárez native’s addition to the Adelitas was announced in May.
“It was emotional. I’m very proud of my country and my roots, so playing here in front of my people from Chihuahua is great,” said Gallegos, who has played for Mexican age group national teams throughout her career.
Gallegos particularly enjoys being a professional and not having the distractions that come with college and high school basketball.
“It’s much nicer, it’s all about basketball,” Gallegos said. “That’s my whole focus; that’s what I do now. This level is way more physical. There are ex-WNBA players in this league; it’s a really high level of play. I’m just trying to come in with energy and help how I can.”
She’s a backup point guard for an elite with two more weekend series before the playoffs, where they will try to defend their Liga Caliente.mx LNBP Femenil championship.
“That’s the goal, to win another championship,” Gallegos said. “I’m doing whatever I can to help us get it.”
Bret Bloomquist can be reached at bbloomquist@elpasotimes.com; @Bretbloomquist on Twitter.