We cought up with Spanish U20 international and Perfumerias Avenida guard Silvia Dominguez. 

Here's what Dominguez had to say about playing among giants, her game rituals and her love for the sport.

Why did you choose basketball?

Dominguez: I started playing when I was six. I used to watch my older brother play and he taught me how to play.  My brother no longer plays. He is the tallest in the family at 1.92m while I have remained small. But he always tells me that he got the height and I got the quality.

If you weren’t a basketball player, what would you do?

		Dominguez is Halcon Avenida's starting point guard.

Dominguez: It's difficult to say because ever since I was six I have been playing basketball and each day I enjoy it more and more.

What are your pre-game rituals?

Dominguez: I listen to hip-hop before games because  it motivates me, it gets me ready for the game.

What do you do after a game?

Dominguez: Here in Sofia, we go to the swimming pool and relax.  We have a great atmposphere in the group, so we tend to hang out together and play cards or watch films on the computer.

How important have youth tournaments been for the development of your career?

Dominguez: The youth tournaments have really helped me mature a lot. You play against the best players in Europe and tall players, an in my case (1.67m tall) it forces me to change my style of play. These tournaments have also allowed you to meet people and learn to be a part of a group. You travel to different countries and it's an opportunity that not many people of my age have, so you have to enjoy it.

You are described as the Sergio Rodriguez of women.  How does that make you feel?

Dominguez: It's great. Sergio and I are good friends so it's a nice compliment. We are both young and we are both improving our games. I may not be scoring 20 points as I have done in past European youth tournaments but I am more involved in the team play more. If you want to be a champion that is what a team requires, players that can help the team, not so much individualism.

The EuroBasket for men will be hosted by Spain later this summer,  how do you rate your nation's chances?

Dominguez: Considering our men's national team won the FIBA World Championship, it would be great for them to win the EuroBasket, especially as they will be playing at home. The EuroBasket is a very difficult tournament, with very strong teams so I agree, it's not going to be easy.

Spain Women will be competiting at the EuroBasket Women in Italy. How far can Spain go in the tournament?

Dominguez: Right now the senior women team is facing a generational change so it's difficult to say. However, as it has been in the past, we always seem to do well with what we have, which  is always positive.

Who is your favourite player?

Dominguez: In the women's game I really enjoy watching Ticha Penichero. I like her style and what she has achieved. As for the men's game, I like Allen Iverson because he is small and he is playing among giants. However, I would change several things from his game, such as the fact that he takes 20 to 30 shots per game.  I think basketball has richer things to offer than that, such as team play, I think the game Spain plays just proves that.

What’s the best thing about being a professional basketball player?

Dominguez: I love the game but more importantly, I have fun playing good basketball.