Vanesa Marinova

Bulgaria, born in 2001

F / 5'8'' / 150 lbs / Basketball

Available / 2020

Athlete Info

Introduction

The meaning of life is to find your greatest passion that gives you purpose and makes you happy. I found mine very early and it was Basketball. I believe that I can achieve everything that I want with a lot of hard work, dedication and a bit of madness. I sacrificed a lot for basketball, but I would do it over and over again if I have to because basketball makes me feel alive. I am also an excellent student because I work as hard as I do on the court. I love learning because it broadens my horizons and it challenges me intellectually.

Sport

Sport	Basketball
Team/Club	BC Slavia and Bulgarian National Teams
Position/Discipline	Small Forward
NAIA ID
NCAA ID

Top Athletic Achievements

U16 and U18 Bulgarian National Team Captain

Multiple National Champion

Competitions & Tournaments

2015

Winner - Tournament “Young stars”

2016

International Tournament “Vanya Voynova” 2^nd place

National Team Tournament in Kosovo

National Team Tournament “Balkanic Next Star Cup”

International Tournament in Italy

2017

National Champions U16

Bulgaria Cup U16 - Winner

Women Cup 1^st place

European Championship U16 - Captain of the National Team

2018

WABA league

International Tournament “Vanya Voynova” 2^nd place

Bulgarian Women League 3^rd place

2019

European Championship U18 - Captain of the National Team

2020

National Champions U19

Other Athletic Info

Individual awards:

2015 - MVP

2017 - U16 National Championships - Best rebounder

Academics

GPA	4.0
SAT	1220
TOEFL	97
High School	International School “Uwekind”

Other Achievements

IELTS: 7.5

International Baccalaureate certificates:

Environmental systems and societies

Bulgarian, Language and Literature High level

German Language Standard level

English Language High level

Math Standard level

Interview

What makes you different

Everyone is different somehow, I think that the question here is what makes you better than everybody else. The answer is simple – energy. My coach always says that I am like a giant ball full of positive energy on and off the court. This helps me a lot in my everyday life, but it also helps my teammates and improves the atmosphere in the team.

Why do you want to compete in college?

I am always aiming high and I want to be the best, therefore I want to compete at the highest level. In my opinion this will happen in college. Also, I want to continue my education because it is important for my future. The balance between professional sports and education is almost impossible in Europe, that is why I want to go to college in the USA.

College goals

I have been an excellent student and player my whole life, so I plan to keep things this way. I am very ambitious, so I will also try to be better, in order to grow.

Basketball and life Goals?

My main goal is to be happy. I have understood so far that doing what makes you smile should be your number one priority. I also want to be the best at what I am doing. I have always dreamed to play on the highest level in WNBA and in the Euro League women. I believe that I am capable enough to achieve my dreams and I will do whatever it takes.

My other dream after the end of my basketball career is related to the environment. I want to contribute to finding solutions to the global environmental issues.

Anything else we should know?

My other passion besides basketball is writing. I enjoy writing poetry, articles, stories and I hope one day to write a novel.

I also love music and cooking.

Besides that, I love to travel and explore new cultures, I have been part in two Erasmus + youth programs. I was also part of an UN model in 2018.