Women's Basketball signs international standouts Inés García Monje and Leyre Urdiáin Esperanza
December 06, 2024 | Women's Basketball
Head coach Marisa Moseley announced the additions of two international recruits
MADISON, Wis. – Wisconsin women's basketball head coach Marisa Moseley announced Friday that the program has officially signed Inés García Monje and Leyre Urdiáin Esperanza.
Leyre Urdiáin Esperanza | Guard | Zaragoza, Spain
Urdiáin Esperanza, a 6-foot shooting guard from Zaragoza, Spain, is known for her on-court versatility. She has earned multiple accolades throughout her career in Spain, including being named MVP of the Granollers Tournament, MVP of the MHL Zaragoza Tournament, and receiving the Best Assist Award at the National Tournament.
Coach Moseley on Urdiáin Esperanza: "We are ecstatic to welcome Leyre to the Badger family. The 5-foot-11 guard from Zaragoza possesses a unique combination of size, skill, and basketball IQ. She's a three-level scorer who is a major threat from anywhere on the court. Her international experience has undoubtedly prepared her to make an immediate impact. I'm confident that Leyre will be a valuable asset for years to come in our team's fast-paced style of play. I can't wait for Badger Nation to see her take center stage. Please join me in welcoming Leyre and her family to Madison!"
Urdiáin Esperanza has also contributed to her team's success, helping Casademont Zaragoza win the Queen's Cup in Spain and securing second-place finishes in the National Championship, as well as a third-place finish in another National Championship.
Why Wisconsin: "I chose Wisconsin because I believe it will be the perfect place for me to grow, both as an athlete and as a person. The team's commitment to excellence, combined with the strong academic programs, really stood out to me. I'm excited to join a program with such a rich tradition and contribute to the success of the team."
With her well-rounded skill set, competitive spirit and international experience, Urdiáin Esperanza is set to be a dynamic addition to the Badger roster. She plans to major in Kinesiology during her time at Wisconsin.
🔴 ON, WISCONSIN ⚪️
— Wisconsin Women's Basketball (@BadgerWBB) December 5, 2024
Welcome to the family, Leyre
🏡: Zaragoza, Spain
⛹🏻♀️: Guard
𝓦𝓱𝔂 𝓦𝓲𝓼𝓬𝓸𝓷𝓼𝓲𝓷: "I chose Wisconsin because I believe it will be the perfect place for me to grow both as an athlete and a person. The team's commitment to excellence, combined with the… pic.twitter.com/XT9jh1i48o
Inés García Monje | Forward | Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain
Standing at 6-foot-2, Inés García Monje is a versatile forward with a strong background in the Spanish youth basketball system. She has earned numerous accolades throughout her career, including representing Segle XXI in Barcelona and the Canary Islands National Team on multiple occasions. Her achievements include leading her teams to top finishes in regional and national tournaments, as well as receiving individual honors such as MVP of the Spanish Championship of Autonomic Selections (Under-12) and Top Rebounder at the Benalmadena Tournament.
Coach Moseley on García Monje: "We are thrilled to welcome Inés García Monje to Madison. The 6-foot-2 forward from Santa Cruz de Tenerife brings her versatility, skill, and competitive nature to our program. Inés' ability to stretch the floor, combined with her high basketball IQ, will make her a matchup nightmare in the Big Ten. In addition to her incredible court vision and passing ability, Inés is also a dominant rebounder. Her high motor and ability to push the ball coast-to-coast are perfect fits for our program. I have no doubt Badger fans will fall in love with her game. Please help me welcome Inés and her family to the Badger family!"
García Monje's national team experience is extensive, having been called up to the Spanish National Team at various levels, including U12-U17. Notably, she played a pivotal role in helping Spain secure a third-place finish in the U17 World Championship, where she was named to the Top-10 Players. She also helped Spain capture a championship in the U17 World Championship 3X3 and had a strong showing in the U18 World Championship 3X3, finishing sixth.
In club play, García Monje has been a key contributor to Segle XXI, helping lead the team to a first-place finish in Women's National League 2 (LF2) during the 2023-2024 season. Her leadership has also been instrumental in securing top positions for her teams in the Canary Islands and Catalonia leagues.
Why Wisconsin: "I chose Wisconsin because of its strong academic programs, the team's commitment to excellence, and the opportunity to compete at the highest level. I'm excited to join a program that values both athletics and academics. I look forward to growing as a player and person, while contributing to the team's success."
With her international experience, leadership skills, and high basketball IQ, García Monje is poised to make a significant impact at Wisconsin. She plans to major in Physical Education and Nutritional Sciences – Nutrition and Dietetics.
🔴 ON, WISCONSIN ⚪️
— Wisconsin Women's Basketball (@BadgerWBB) November 13, 2024
Welcome to the family, Inés!
🏡: Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain
⛹🏻♀️: Forward
𝓦𝓱𝔂 𝓦𝓲𝓼𝓬𝓸𝓷𝓼𝓲𝓷: "I chose Wisconsin because of its strong academic programs, the team's commitment to excellence, and the opportunity to compete at the… pic.twitter.com/V6tpFgvlpp
