PARIS, France — Former Iowa Hawkeye women's basketball star Megan Gustafson is making her mark in her first Olympics.
Averaging 17 points and 10 rebounds per game in group play, the 6'4" Gustafson helped Spain qualify for the women's basketball quarterfinals after winning all three of their group round games.
Gustafson has been The Associated Press women's basketball player of the year and is currently a backup on the WNBA's Las Vegas Aces.
But how did she end up playing for Team Spain?
Like other Americans playing for other countries in the Olympics, Gustafson became a naturalized citizen after Spain asked her if she'd be interested in playing for them.
Gustafson told El Mundo in an interview that the naturalization process started last spring after the Spanish Basketball Federation (Federación Española de Baloncesto) contacted her agent. After filling out the paperwork and visiting the embassy a few times, she said it was worth it.
"It was a great opportunity for me, because Spain was a great team and I was very motivated by the experience," she said.
Although she had visited Spain a couple of times while playing in Europe for the London Lions, she would like to get to know the country better especially as she didn't think she would get the opportunity to go to the Olympics.
"I'm really grateful for the opportunity that Spain has given me," Gustafson told El Mundo. "They took me in and welcomed me like a family and I really appreciate that everyone has been so great, so welcoming."
She has had to make quite the adjustment as all the plays are called in Spanish. With the help of her teammates, and a Spanish teacher, Gustafson is learning and contributing to a team that is looking to compete with the U.S. for a gold medal.
Fourth-ranked Spain will play sixth-ranked Belgium on Wednesday at 7:30 a.m. CT.
The Associated Press contributed to this report
EDITOR'S NOTE: The quotes from the El Mundo interview have been translated from Spanish