Elena Tsineke

Growing up in Thessaloniki, Greece, I was playing in the pro leagues by the time I was 15. I earned three MVP awards and was the best scorer in the youth finals, eventually getting called up to the senior national team at 17. When I competed at the D1 U18 European Championship in Hungary, Daniel Prince approached my dad, and that moment changed everything.

The road to America wasn't easy. I barely knew any English, which made communication difficult. The visa process meant traveling to Athens for the US Embassy, staying in hotels with my twin sister. The SAT was a huge challenge since nobody in Greece was familiar with the program. The biggest setback came when the NCAA wouldn't clear me due to two gap years, and I arrived late, so they took away a year of eligibility. I was only allowed to play three years. Then COVID happened, and every athlete got an extra year back. Sometimes setbacks become setups.

I chose the University of South Florida the moment I visited campus. The warmth, the family environment, the international roster that Coach Jose Fernandez built, it all felt like home. I listened to my heart, and it was the best decision I ever made.

From 2019 to 2023, I gave everything to USF. The competition was surreal. Playing against top-25 teams, facing South Carolina in March Madness, these experiences pushed me to grow in ways I never imagined. The game was faster, the talent and athleticism far beyond what I experienced in Greece. In my senior year, I was named AAC Co-Player of the Year alongside my teammate Dulcy Fankam Mendjiadeu, and we led the Bulls to a conference championship.

The night I'll never forget was the 2023 WNBA Draft. My name was called as the 20th overall pick by the Washington Mystics. Seconds later, Dulcy went 21st to Seattle. Back-to-back draft picks from USF. That night was the reward for all those early mornings when we met in the gym at 6 AM before team practice, committed to making our dreams reality. Elena and Dulcy, WNBA Draft picks. That night was special.

Beyond basketball, I earned my Bachelor's degree in Psychology with a 3.3 GPA. I served as team captain and was a member of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee. But what I treasure most are the friendships I made with teammates from different countries who are now like family. I discovered Thanksgiving and fell in love with fried chicken wings. I traveled to places I never thought I would see, like Cancun, the Bahamas, and Miami.

Playing college sports shaped me into a more disciplined version of myself. It taught me sacrifice and work ethic. I embraced American culture and became part of it. Most importantly, I learned that to be great at what you do, you have to own your mindset every day. College was where my identity began to shape, both mentally and spiritually.