The sound of bouncing basketballs fills the air in the beautiful Hungarian city Szekszárd, as Carolina Rodrigues became part of her new team since this season: TARR KSC. At 27, she radiates calm confidence and effortless strength. Graceful and composed, yet intensely focused, Carolina represents the new generation of Portuguese basketball. Her story is one of passion, dedication, and the relentless pursuit of a dream that began years ago in a Lisbon schoolyard.

From the schoolyard to the court

“I started playing at school with friends,” Carolina recalls with a smile. “A lot of them were already playing in clubs, and I was just playing during recess. But then the passion for basketball began to grow until I finally convinced my parents to bring me to a club.”

She laughs when she remembers how confident she used to be. “At school, I thought I was so good. But when I started playing for real, I realized I wasn’t that good at all. I was just fast and strong. I had no technique and I didn’t understand tactics or defense. It was a process, but those first years were so much fun. I made friends that I still have today, and that’s awesome.”

Carolina grew up in Amadora, a district of Lisbon, where she played all her youth years. “All my youth, I stayed home,” she says. “Then, when I joined the senior teams, I left Lisbon for a year, but my foundation was there.” Those early seasons, filled with energy and discovery, shaped her into the athlete she would later become.

The beauty of the game

When asked what makes basketball her biggest passion, Carolina’s eyes light up. “I just think basketball is such a cool sport. It connects people all over the world. I’ve had the chance to travel so much thanks to basketball and to get to know other countries, other cultures, and different styles of playing. It’s unpredictable. You have to be so focused all the time to perform well. It’s tough, but that’s why I love it.”

For Carolina, basketball is as much about beauty as it is about competition. “I’m in love with the beauty of the game,” she explains. “My favorite player is Marine Johannès. She’s the human form of basketball beauty. She plays with so much technique and passion. She’s one of my biggest references.”

Becoming a professional basketball player

Carolina’s journey to professionalism was far from easy. “After my youth years, I went to university,” she says. “I was studying physical therapy while playing in the Portuguese first league. But I wouldn’t call it professional because I had to study at the same time, and in Portugal, schools are not very flexible with sports.”

She pauses for a moment before continuing. “Those years were hard. I played for Quinta dos Lombos, then for Olivais de Coimbra, and later for Benfica. My second year at Benfica was my first as a full professional. I had finished my studies and finally became a 100% professional athlete. That was my dream, to finish my degree and then be free to move to any country and play professionally.”

Her first experience abroad came soon after. “I moved to Belgium and played for Namur Capitale,” she says. “My coach was José Araújo, and he gave me the opportunity to play abroad in a strong league and in the EuroCup. I’m so grateful for that. It was a big step, and it helped me grow so much.”

After that, she joined Kangoeroes Mechelen and later moved to Elfic Fribourg in Switzerland. “Every year I try to challenge myself,” she says. “The Hungarian league, where I play now, is one of the top leagues in Europe. There are EuroLeague and EuroCup teams here, and it’s incredibly competitive. I feel privileged to be part of it. The championship has just started, and I’m excited to learn even more.”

Wearing the Portuguese jersey

Carolina’s relationship with the national team began early. “My first experience with the national team was when I was 15,” she remembers. “I couldn’t believe it. I felt like I had just started playing basketball, and suddenly I was going to play against other countries. Looking back, I wish I had enjoyed it more. I was too focused on mistakes (on turnovers or missed shots), but now I understand how special that was.”

Years later, she was a key player in the under 20 European Championship in 2018, held in Sopron, Hungary. “We had a really good team that year,” she says. “We beat the Netherlands in the group phase, but they went on to win the bronze medal. That’s the funny thing about basketball. You don’t need to win all games, you just need to win the right ones.”

The dream realized: EuroBasket 2025

Last summer, Carolina fulfilled a lifelong dream by representing Portugal at the EuroBasket, the country’s first-ever participation in the tournament. “Honestly, I don’t have the words to describe the feeling,” she says. “The national team had been working for this moment for so long. Some of my teammates had been trying to qualify for more than ten years. When we finally made it, it was insane. Of course we wanted to perform well, but the qualification itself was already something incredible.”

She smiles as she remembers the first game. “We played against Belgium, the team that became champions. It was surreal. Julie Allemand, one of my favorite players, was guarding me. I was so nervous but so happy. It was one of the most special days of my life.”

That tournament brought a defining moment for Portugal: the victory against Montenegro. “Our goal was to get at least one win,” Carolina says proudly. “After losing to the Czech Republic, that win meant everything. Everyone was crying after the game. It was so emotional, but we deserved it. We worked so hard for that moment.”

Carolina’s journey is not only about the game but also about growth, resilience, and love for what she does. “Basketball gave me so much,” she reflects. “It made me grow not only as a player but also as a person. You leave your country, your family, your friends, but it’s all worth it. I couldn’t imagine a better way to live right now. I love playing basketball. I’m living my dream.”

From the playgrounds of Lisbon to the arenas of Europe, Carolina Rodrigues embodies what it means to chase a dream with courage and heart. She carries Portugal’s colors with pride and grace, and her story continues to inspire a new generation of players who believe that passion can take them anywhere. “Basketball connects people all over the world,” she says. “It’s tough, it’s beautiful, and it’s unpredictable. And that’s exactly why I love it.”