Tilda Sjökvist

Before I ever stepped foot on American soil, I had already experienced some incredible moments on the court. Representing Sweden on the youth national team, winning the U20 Swedish Championship and being named MVP, then doing it again at the U20 Nordic Championship. Those experiences gave me the confidence to know I could compete at a high level. When U.S. coaches started reaching out through my national team connections and agency, I knew it was time to take the leap.

My American journey began at Presbyterian College in South Carolina in 2022. The head coach believed in me, and that trust meant everything. What happened next exceeded all my expectations. We became conference champions, I was named Conference Tournament MVP, and we made it to the NCAA Tournament. We made history for that program, something I'll carry with me forever.

After two years, I felt ready for a new challenge. The SEC was calling. In 2024, I transferred to the University of Missouri, one of the biggest stages in college basketball. The facilities, the atmosphere, the level of competition, it was everything I hoped for. Playing in the SEC pushed me to elevate my game and showed me what it takes to compete against the best in the country.

Now I'm writing my next chapter at Towson University. The coaching staff, the opportunity for a bigger role, the location, and the facilities all felt right. I'm excited to lead this team as captain and see what we can accomplish together. Even though I'm still in the middle of this journey, the friendships I've already made remind me why I fell in love with this path in the first place.

Playing college basketball in America has taught me discipline, work ethic, and what it truly means to be a leader. Beyond the court, I've made lifelong friends and had experiences I never could have imagined back home in Sweden. I'm still working toward my bachelor's degree in Psychology, still growing as a player and a person and I wouldn't have it any other way.