From her humble beginnings in Hungary to becoming a key player on international stages, Edina Strausz's story is one of relentless passion and dedication. Every dribble, pass, and shot has been a step on an incredible path, marked by personal growth, teamwork, and the sheer joy of playing the game she loves. Photo: FIBA Europe

Discovering the love for the game

Edina’s journey in basketball began with a simple invitation to a practice session in her hometown. "In my city where I live, there was a practice, and my older sister and I went just to try it," she recalls. "I've been playing ever since." It was this initial exposure that sparked a lifelong passion for the game. "I think it's just the love of the game," she reflects. "Basketball is an extremely good sport because you have to think, use your athleticism, handle the ball, and play in a team. That's a lot of things to do at the same time, but that's what makes it beautiful."

Embracing teamwork and growth

As she honed her skills, Edina found her niche as a post player, embracing the challenges of teamwork and camaraderie. "I'm a post player, and I think I'm like a huge team player," she says. "I'd rather play in a good team than just play by myself. Doing the work all together, you know." This team-first mentality has been a cornerstone of her development as a player. "I think the people that inspire me the most are the players that I play with, my teammates, and the opponents I play against. Sometimes I just see their game and think, 'Okay, I can work with that.'"

Photo: FIBA Europe

Leadership and recognition

Edina found opportunities to extend her talent. In America at Winston Salem Christian National she has made a lot of progression. "We have girls from Brazil, Poland, and Switzerland. The diversity is insane, but it's also hard to put it together as a team," she explains. "I have earned an award: first team all conference. That was a little bit unexpected for me because I'm a team player. So, getting an award as an individual was a little bit new for me, but I was really happy."

International representation and gratitude

Representing Hungary on the international stage has been a highlight of Edina's career. "Being an international youth player is amazing," she expresses with gratitude. "Just looking back where I came from and what I'm able to do with the sport, I can't even describe it. It's truly amazing how a sport can change your life and bring you to different places."

Edina's international experience includes playing for Hungary's youth teams. "In 2021, I made my debut with the under 16 team during the Challengers," she says. "And in 2022, I played for the under 17 team during the World Cup. When I stepped on the court, I felt a sense of pride and responsibility. It's something you want in every team, a special player doing all the hard work, bringing all that passion."