Vienna, such a beautiful city where historic streets meet the quiet hum of neighborhood life. For about 23 years ago, a six-year-old girl followed her slightly older neighbor to basketball practice. She didn’t know it yet, but that one simple invitation would set the course for a life filled with competition, friendship, and triumph. That girl is Anja Fuchs Robetin, and today, she stands as one of Austria’s most inspiring basketball players, a symbol of passion and perseverance.

The spark

Anja remembers that first practice clearly. “I was playing with the boys, and as a girl I was always the underdog,” she says. Whenever I could beat them, it was even more fun. I loved that from the very beginning.”

From that moment, she began living the dream. Basketball was never just a hobby to her. “Basketball is multi-faceted. You have to be intelligent, fast, and strong. There are so many different elements, and I think that’s what I love about it.”

A young talent on the rise

By the time she was 14, Anja was playing well above her age group. She unexpectedly made Austria’s under 18 national team while still eligible for under 16, competing at the European Youth Championships. “I didn’t expect to make the team. I was the youngest one there, just 14 or 15, but being exposed to that level of international competition so young, it made me grow and made me work harder.”

Her progression was rapid. Year after year, her stats and her presence on the court soared. In 2023, after years without a women’s national team, Austria re-launched its senior squad. “It was an honor to be that first group back. Although we were the underdogs, wearing Austria across my chest has always meant so much to me.”

She has seen Austrian basketball make small steps forward, with youth teams now at every age level and role models like Jakob Pöltl making waves in the NBA. “We’re heading in the right direction, but we still need more young players to join, to build a strong base.”

Chasing the American dream

At 18, Anja knew she had to challenge herself in new ways. “I felt like I had already reached the top in Austria. Going to the US was always the dream.”

In 2015, she crossed the Atlantic to join the Florida Southern College, adapting to the faster, more physical American style. She even shifted positions, from guard in Europe to forward in the US. “It took time to find my role, but my coaches trusted me and encouraged me to do more. That made all the difference.”

Her family, all connected to basketball, were fully behind her. “They saw me chasing my dream and supported me completely. They even came to the US a few times to watch me play. I am so thankful for that.”

Looking back, she has no regrets. “I think I made a great choice. It turned out even better than I expected.”

The professional world

After college, Anja turned professional and almost immediately faced the unexpected. In England, she combined basketball with a master’s degree, but COVID shut down the season just as playoffs approached. “It was a crazy time. But it also made me reflect and appreciate everything basketball had already given me.”

She went on to Germany, choosing a coach and environment focused on personal development over prestige. “Maybe it wasn’t the step some people wanted me to take, but it felt right. For me, it’s about making the best out of wherever you go.”

Her time in Germany ended abruptly when a club went bankrupt mid-season, sending her to Spain, but the fit wasn’t right there either. “They wanted me to lead and score a lot, but I wanted to learn from others at a higher level.”

The Freedom of 3x3

Since 2016, Anja has been part of Austria’s 3x3 basketball team, and it has given her something special. “With Austrian basketball not being at the highest level, 3x3 gave us the chance to compete with anyone: France, Spain or whoever. It is so explosive, so quick, so unpredictable. Two shots can change the whole game.”

One of her most treasured memories is the 3x3 Europe Cup in Vienna in 2024. “The arena was packed, people lining up to watch us represent Austria; it was unforgettable. You hope to inspire someone in the crowd to dream about being in your place one day. On the court, you battle hard. Off the court, everyone is in the same hotel, eating together. It’s a community of encouragement. I love that.”

Through every high and low, Anja has stayed anchored in her love for the game and her belief in building something lasting. “For me, it’s about making the best of where you are, about growth, and about inspiring others. Basketball has given me so much, and I want to pass that on.”

From that first day in a Vienna gym to wearing Austria’s colors on the world stage, Anja Fuchs Robetin has carried her country’s hopes, her own ambitions, and the joy of the game with her everywhere she is played. One thing is certain: her heart still beats to the rhythm of a bouncing ball.