Arizona women’s basketball signs ‘long, versatile’ Spanish forward Gisela Sanchez

The Arizona women’s basketball team officially signed Spanish forward Gisela Sanchez on Thursday, the fourth incoming freshman to ink with the Wildcats for the 2021-22 season.

“We are thrilled to welcome Gisela to the program,” Arizona head coach Adia Barnes said. “She is an athletic, long versatile player that can play inside and out with a high basketball IQ. She comes from Segle XXI, the same club that Helena (Pueyo) played at which is one of the best clubs in Europe, and they produce top talent. I’m so excited to coach her and can’t wait for her to get here.”

A 6-foot-3 forward, Sanchez averaged 10.3 points, 6.6 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 0.8 steals in 26.0 minutes for Segle XXI this season. She shot 42% from the field, 12 for 62 (19.4%) from 3 and 72% from the free throw line.

Sanchez committed to Arizona in February, but it’s notable that she signed because international recruits often weigh professional options. Not to mention the coronavirus pandemic makes it all the more difficult to move overseas.

Arizona’s other 2021 recruits are 4.5-star combo guard Anna Gret Asi, 4-star post Aaronette Vonleh and 4-star shooting guard Madison Conner, who joined the Wildcats in January.

In November, ESPN ranked the class as the 16th-best in the country but that did not account for Sanchez.

The Wildcats also added Alabama transfer Ariyah Copeland, Vanderbilt transfer Koi Love, Oregon transfer Taylor Chavez and could be in the market for one more—a point guard.