Mya Hollingshed might not be a household name – yet – but this Houstonian who will be playing for Puerto Rico’s Women’s Olympic Basketball Team in Paris over these next few days is someone who absolutely can make Houston proud.
In fact, she already has.
This former Bellaire High School hoops star also made a name for herself on the local AAU circuit before taking her game to the next level while becoming a basketball legend at the University of Colorado. From there, Hollingshed was drafted number eight overall in the first round of the 2022 WNBA Draft by the Las Vegas Aces.
Since then, Hollingshed has laced them up for various teams overseas, growing her game and becoming a pivotal player at every stop. Most recently, Hollingshed scored 20 points, grabbed 14 rebounds, and had four blocks during Puerto Rico’s 69-67 win over New Zealand in Xian, China, to qualify for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. For her effort, she was named Player of the Game.
The Defender caught up with Hollingshed between practices for the Paris Olympics to learn more about her past, present, and future journeys.
Defender: What was your initial reaction when you got the news that you were on the Olympic team?
Hollingshed: So, being that I was nationalized, it seemed inevitable, but again, you never know on any team. Also, being part of the reason we (the Puerto Rican women’s basketball team) qualified, having a big game in China, it seemed a for sure, and I was all for it.
Defender: Where were you when you got the news?
Hollingshed: I was in Houston when they called me to a training camp in Puerto Rico. The coach sent me my flight information and I immediately was ready and locked in to go prepare for the Olympics.
Defender: What about the Olympic experience are you most looking forward to?
Hollingshed: I’m honestly most looking forward to experiencing everything on the court. And seeing other teams, especially the men’s and women’s USA teams, and being around world-class international athletes.
Defender: What first attracted you to basketball?
Hollingshed: Basketball was actually the last sport I came across, although my dad and grandfather played. I first started out with soccer, tennis, volleyball, and track, and found basketball later. I first got into organized basketball around 8th grade when I started to play AAU. Ever since then I gradually worked on my game and continued to excel in different areas to be a more versatile player.
Defender: What do you remember most about your high school and college hooping experiences?
Hollingshed: What I remember most about high school was always being the tallest. During that time I was only a true post player, playing in the paint. It wasn’t until college that I started to add the 3-point game and mid-range game. College was an experience I will never forget, especially my coaching staff at Colorado who recruited me, and me taking my one and only official visit and committing on my visit. The rest is history. But they are an essential part of my development to where I am today.
Defender: How did you enjoy your WNBA draft and playing experience?
Hollingshed: The WNBA draft experience was unforgettable, with my agent telling me beforehand that he believed I would possibly get picked up late second round or early third, to then be picked number eight overall in the first round, I will never forget. To be surrounded by the very people who were there since the beginning meant the world to me. My mother, grandmother and grandfather had seen everything from a child and always had this continuous belief in me; to then see it for myself only adds to my motivation to be successful.
Defender: Do you foresee a return to the WNBA?
Hollingshed: I do see a return to the WNBA. I know I have the talent and am willing to help any team. It’s just about what that team needs and if the timing is right. Being in the WNBA also allows my family to travel to different states and enjoy the experience of seeing me play professionally, instead of having to travel across the ocean to physically see me play.
Defender: What’s been most exciting and fulfilling about your professional basketball career overseas?
Hollingshed: The most fulfilling things always come off the court. Being able to see the world – for free, I might add – is always incredible. Seeing different things, understanding the culture, and being around different people and ways of living are things I always observe the most. Essentially, overseas, I see a lot of things you don’t get in the U.S., such as the cost of living, how they eat, their lifestyles, and their traditions. I’ve always been willing to adapt to that because it’s different from what I’m used to. But also, things to keep in mind for how I might want to live my life or where I might want to live in the future are always interesting to me.
Defender: What’s your favorite thing about Houston, and do you have a special word for Houstonians tuning into the Olympics?
Hollingshed: Houston is home. Every time I’m home, the first thing I love to do is visit family, sleep in my own bed and be in my own house around my mother. The thing that makes this special for me is that although I might not be well-known in the city, it’s always great to have something Houstonians can be proud of. Whether it’s people I’ve gone to high school with that keep up with me or youth that are coming up and want to get into the sport, they can see how a Houstonian like them did everything the right way even though everyone’s journey might be different. It’s never impossible.
Defender: Any advice for up-and-coming ball players?
Hollingshed: Continue to believe in yourself. Surround yourself with people who believe in you, but who can also tell you when you are right and wrong. I believe that’s the biggest thing. Also, be coachable and accept criticism. It’s a difference between criticism and hate. So, be able to differentiate the two and accept those who are really trying to help you and know that it’s for the betterment of you. Also, having self-awareness is important – knowing what you need to be better at and actually working on those things. Hard work will always beat talent. But when you have talent and a hard work ethic, you can achieve anything in this world.
