Winless TTT Riga may be having a tough time in the EuroCup Women, but there was good news this week as shooting guard Iziane Castro was named the Brazilian Player of the Year.

The 24-year-old Brazil international, who starred for the hosts at the FIBA World Championship for Women earlier this year, was taken aback by the honour, admitting she expected it to go to a veteran.

"I didn't expect to win the award, to be honest," she told PA Sport.

		Castro's Riga club has yet to post a win in the EuroCup Women.

"Janeth [Arcain] or Alessandra Santos could have won it, mainly due their performances at the FIBA World Championship.

"I accept it as the result of my hard work."

Brazil were not strong enough to deliver a home victory at the World Championship in September, but Castro caught the eye with a string of fine performances.

"I think that I assumed a very strong position within the squad," she said.

"I've played to the maximum."

After a heavy 99-59 defeat in the bronze medal game against the United States, Brazil - winners 12 years ago - had to settle for fourth place as Australia took gold.

The result left Castro with few complaints.

"They deserved to win it," he said.

"For us, sadly we got the fourth position."

Castro is taking the opportunity to play for Riga during the off-season of the WNBA, where she is on the Seattle Storm roster.

Her Seattle team-mate, Lauren Jackson, was on the Australia team that collected gold.

"I would have preferred to see myself lifting that trophy, but I'm very happy for her," Castro said.

"She is one of the best players on the planet. That was an award missing in her career. She deserved it."

Since Castro's international exploits, she has come back to earth with a bang as Riga struggle mightily in the EuroCup Women, failing to win any of their opening four games.

With TTT Riga, she is now the EuroCup top scorer with an average of 26
points.

"It has been difficult to win a game (with Riga) because our roster was put together in a short time," she said.

"I joined the team a week before the competition started. So did some other players."

Riga have two games remaining in Group L, which pits them against MBK Ruzomberok, Gospic and Nadezhda, and with both games at home (against Gospic on December 7 and Nadezhda on December 14), Castro remains hopeful they can register some wins.

"The EuroCup is a very competitive event," he said.

"We still have the chance to play the last two games at home, but I recognise that's going be difficult for us. We'll need our fans' support."

This is Castro's fifth season playing in Europe, and after time in Spain, France and Russia she is happy to now be in Latvia with Riga.

"I didn't know what to expect but it's a very nice country," she said.

"I like it. The league is not the most competitive in Europe, but there are two or three very good teams.

"Language has not been an issue because so many people speak English  here, which is helpful."

But there is one thing Castro will never get used to - the weather.

"It's too chilly," she said.

"I come from a country in which we have warm temperatures all over the year.

"I go out as little as I can. I do prefer to stay at home.

"My family is fundamental. They are my main support as I have been out of Brazil for five years."

In January, Castro will return to Rio de Janeiro to collect her award, but she admits she is not too confident about the future of basketball in her home country.

"It's not very promising, mainly because our domestic league deserves better investment and attention," she said.

"I think it's time for the business community to take a different approach to basketball and give it better support."