Unicaja Mijas: Building on Continuity and Youth for the Next Season
The young academy project that propelled Unicaja Mijas to promotion remains a fundamental pillar as the team prepares for the upcoming season in the LF Challenge.
A Youthful Approach
Unicaja Mijas is once again placing a strong emphasis on its young project, rooted in the club’s academy, for its new venture in the LF Challenge. Following their successful promotion, the team has retained eight players for the upcoming campaign. Leading the group is coach Francis Trujillo, with Elena Moreno, Clara Vieitas, Andrea Gutiérrez, Salomé García, Carmen Ruiz, Rocío Ramírez, Fatou Filor, and Marta Ortega all returning.
Joining this talented group are Clara Cáceres and Wiktoria Keller. Despite being only 25 years old, Cáceres brings extensive experience in national women’s basketball. On the other hand, Keller, a 23-year-old Polish forward, will embark on her first Spanish basketball adventure, having already showcased her skills in the EuroCup Women and the Polish league.
A Rising Generation
Among the promising young talents, Elena Moreno stands out, having recently won a silver medal in the U-19 World Cup. Another player to watch is Clara Vieitas, who will be entering her fifth year with the club at just 17 years old, continuously evolving as a player and becoming a key figure in the team. The leadership of experienced players like Salomé García and Marta Ortega will also be crucial in bolstering the team’s aspirations, as Trujillo emphasizes during the preseason.
Preparation and Challenges Ahead
The team’s preparation phase will commence on August 21, with all first-team players and selected junior team members training together in anticipation of the season’s start in September. Trujillo explains, “Our goal is to adapt to the new category as quickly as possible. We have scheduled four friendly matches against Estepona (twice), Sevilla, and Melilla. This league will demand more from us physically, and the pace of the game will be different.”