Paulina Paris Finds Familiarity and a Chance to Reach Full Potential at Arizona
Paulina Paris, a new guard for the Arizona Wildcats, is determined to reach her full potential and pursue a long professional career in basketball. After transferring from North Carolina, she believes Arizona is the place to achieve these goals.
The journey hasn’t been straightforward. During her high school years, COVID-19 disrupted traditional recruiting visits, leading her to initially commit to Penn State based on virtual meetings. She later de-committed and chose UNC. Reflecting on that period, Paris acknowledges the challenges but remains positive about her current position.
“COVID made things difficult,” Paris said. “My class was very talented, and the pandemic impacted our recruiting opportunities. But I’m happy with where I am now.”
Paris declined to discuss her experiences at North Carolina, focusing instead on her future. Recovering from a lower-body injury that required surgery, she has spent the past several months rehabilitating and is now cleared to play. She credits Arizona’s training staff for their support and feels close to regaining her pre-injury form.
“I’ve been working hard to get back to where I was,” Paris explained. “The training staff here has been amazing, and I feel like myself again. It’s exciting.”
Though Paris has a rigorous pre-med major and an interest in physical therapy, her primary focus remains on basketball. She hopes for a successful career in the WNBA before considering her academic pursuits.
Paris’s love for basketball started early, influenced by her father Bryan, who played collegiately and professionally in Puerto Rico. The family’s move to New York didn’t diminish his passion, and he coached Paris in club basketball, instilling in her the drive to succeed.
“Having a supportive family was crucial,” Paris said. “My dad did a lot for me, and I’m thankful for his guidance.”
Paris’s connections in the basketball world extend beyond her family. She’s known freshman teammate Lauryn Swann and fellow transfer Sahnya Jah for years, making her transition to Arizona smoother.
“Knowing Lauryn and Jah before moving made the transition easier,” Paris said. “It’s refreshing to have familiar faces here.”
Paris committed to Arizona before visiting the campus, drawn by the coaching staff’s commitment. Head coach Adia Barnes and assistant coach Bett Shelby, who had previously recruited her to West Virginia, were instrumental in her decision.
“Adia and Bett were the first to reach out when I entered the transfer portal,” Paris said. “Their honesty and belief in me were important. I’m excited to play here.”
At Arizona, Paris aims to develop as a player and pursue her dream of a long WNBA career. Her shooting ability, particularly from beyond the arc, was a key reason Barnes recruited her. In high school, Paris averaged impressive statistics and was known as an outside threat.
Paris is versatile on the court, comfortable playing both on and off the ball. Her ability to control the pace of the game and facilitate plays makes her a valuable asset.
“I like being able to do both,” Paris said. “On the ball, I control the game’s pace. Off the ball, I can score and facilitate.”
Barnes sees similarities between Paris and former Arizona guard Helena Pueyo, praising Paris’s shooting, intelligence, and defensive skills. Her defensive stats from college highlight her potential in this area.
Paris is eager to showcase her talent and help Arizona achieve team goals, including winning championships. She’s ready to prove herself and contribute to the team’s success.
“I want to show the world my talent,” Paris said. “We have the team and the talent to win. I’m excited to see what we can achieve.”
Leave a Reply