Raquel Carrera: From Spanish Prodigy to the WNBA Stage
A Journey from Ourense to the Top XOILAC
Raquel Carrera was born on October 31, 2001, in Ourense, Spain. She left her family at just 13 years old to pursue her basketball dreams, joining Celta and quickly proving her talent by competing in the U17 World Cup at age 14. That journey forged one of the most outstanding centers in Spanish women's basketball today.
Career at Valencia Basket and Achievements
Carrera has been a cornerstone for Valencia Basket, becoming an indispensable part of the team. She has won 10 titles with the club, including 3 Liga Femenina Endesa championships. In the 2026 Liga Femenina final, she was named MVP with a performance index of 22 (9 rebounds, 7 points, 2 assists, 2 steals). In the 2025-26 EuroLeague, she averaged 10.2 points per game with a 51.6% field goal percentage and 46.7% from three-point range.
WNBA Breakthrough and New York Liberty
In April 2026, Carrera officially signed with the New York Liberty. She made her WNBA debut on May 24, 2026, recording an assist just seconds after entering the game. During the 2026 season, she averaged 1.4 points and 1.1 rebounds in 5.5 minutes per game. Despite limited playing time, the Liberty coaching staff highly values her combination of size, skill, and strength.
Role with the Spanish National Team
At the FIBA Women's World Cup 2026, Carrera was a key player in Spain's journey to the bronze medal. In the opening game against Germany, she recorded a double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds. She shared: "I've learned to separate the basketball player from the person. I'm a normal person with a normal life."
Resilience and Life Philosophy
In 2024, Carrera spent 338 days away from competition due to an ACL injury, missing the Paris Olympics. She admitted: "I learned to invest more time in myself. I came back without fear and a better player." When asked about choosing between the WNBA and the national team, she stated: "The national team is the top priority. If I had to choose, I would always choose the national team."
Conclusion
Raquel Carrera is a symbol of resilience and Spanish basketball talent. At just 24 years old, she already possesses an impressive collection of club titles and is steadily making her mark in the WNBA. With her relentless drive to learn and her dedication to the national team, Carrera promises to go even further in her career.
