University of Minnesota Athletics
Garrido Adjusting to New Home
11/18/2017 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Irene Garrido Perez was an all-region honoree during both her junior college seasons. The sharp-shooting forward connected on 47.4 perecent of her field goal attempts as a sophomore last year, including a conference-leading 48.8-percent mark behind the 3-point line.
Irene Garrido Perez is from a small town near Granada, Spain. She first came to the United States to play for Western Wyoming Community College, located in Rock Springs, Wyo., population 6,388.
Now at the University of Minnesota for her junior year, Garrido is still getting used to Minneapolis.
"A big city is a big difference from home because everything is so much bigger," Garrido said. "I really like it, because there's so much. The city has everything. There's places to eat, things to do and the university is so much bigger than my old school."
Coming from a small basketball program in Wyoming to a Big Ten basketball program has also been an adjustment. The game is bigger, faster and on a larger stage.
"It's been a hard transition with the pace," Garrido said. "But since we came during the summer, it's been a long time working together, so it's easy to play with them. I've really liked my time here so far."
Although the transition has been difficult on the court, off the court is a different story. Her teammates and coaches have helped her make the jump to the Twin Cities and worked hard to make her feel welcome.
"When I came to visit the University of Minnesota, the first thing I was looking at was the team and the coaches, and how they worked together," Garrido said. "I really enjoyed being around them. I chose this school because of the team."
Garrido arrived on campus in June and began taking classes and practicing with her teammates. She found an early friendship with Destiny Pitts, an incoming freshman from Detroit, and one of the three newcomers on the team. Pitts began taking Spanish classes so that she could speak with Garrido in her first language, as well as with her fellow freshman Paloma Gonzalez, who arrived in the fall from Spain.
For Garrido, the close-knit team she saw last year has carried into this year as well. The team worked hard over the summer and when practices began, but they also spent time together off the court.
"I think we work really well together," Garrido said. "We have chemistry, and we have a lot of fun on and off the court. We like to watch movies and go out to eat together, but we also just like to hang out on normal days or after practice."
As for school? Garrido isn't playing it easy. She plans on studying math and has already begun classes for her major.
"It's kind of hard," she said. "It's been difficult, but it's what I want to do, so I have to just study a lot and manage my time."
She doesn't have specific career ideas for a mathematics degree yet, but she does know one thing: When she's done with school, she'd like to go overseas and play basketball. With La Liga Feminista de Baloncesto (Women's Basketball League) at home in Spain, it would be a chance to play the sport she loves in her native country.
But for now, Garrido is focusing on the place, team and opportunities in front of her.
"I love everything here so far," she said. "I really like the school, the team and the city, and I'm excited for the season."
Story by athletic communications assistant Ellen Larson
