Brent Mutis, CapU Sport Information & Compliance Officer
Ida Jonsson-Ojala joined the Capilano Blues in the second half of the 2021-22 PACWEST season and in just eight regular-season games, she showed enough to earn a conference Second-Team All-Star nod.
The native of Norrköpping, Sweden is not slowing down in the offseason. She's earned a spot on the Swedish national U20 team and she and her teammates will be at the A-Division European Championships in Sopron, Hungary from July 6 to 17. Sweden is in Group B along with Italy, Finland and Belgium.
It will be the fourth time Jonsson-Ojala has worn the blue and yellow of Sweden's national team, having previously played on the U15, U16 and U18 teams. The 6-foot-2 forward took time to respond via email about the upcoming tournament.
BM: What was the tryout process like for the team and when did you find out you’d made it?
Ida Jonsson-Ojala: In May I found out that I was one of the 18 players who have been called for this practice camp. For eight days we practiced two times a day. The day before the camp finished we had individual meetings and there I found out that I was one of the 12 players who had made the team. The day after the camp we were going directly to France to play a tournament. We played against France, Latvia and Germany.
BM: How big of an accomplishment is this for you and what was your reaction when you found out you’d been selected for the team?
IJO: Before the camp I was really nervous how everyone had developed because many of my friends have played in the (United) States. First of all, I did not know how much playing time they had or what the season has been like. When I found out that I made the team, it was a confirmation for me that I have worked really hard this year and developed as a player. At the same time I had a good feeling before I found out, because in my opinion I did a really good job on the camp. It will be really exciting to play once again with the national team and the European championship.
BM: What position will you be playing and what do you think the team expects of you?
IJO: I play as a forward/center in the national team depending on where my coaches want me. My role is to help my teammates to get open and get good shots and layups through screens and sealing. If I have the open shot, they want me to take it, and the same if I get the ball in the post. Also, working hard on defence.
BM: What kind of training are you currently doing with the team?
IJO: Our morning practice was mostly going through plays and shooting but sometimes we were playing half-court. In the evening practice, we were building together everything from the morning practice and played a lot. Starting July 4, we are going to have a practice camp again for two days before we go to the European championship.
BM: Has your time playing at CapU helped you become a better player?
IJO: I think the time at CapU has helped me. I have got a lot of trust from my coaches, which has helped my confidence on the court. Accessibility to the gym has created the possibility to work extra on individual stuff and made me a better basketball player. Also, the weight room has helped me get stronger and it is something I have noticed in the camp, taking positions under the basket and getting rebounds. The team and my teammates have also been an important factor to my development and I am so thankful to be on the team. I’m already looking forward to the next season.
Sweden begins their U20 journey against Italy on Friday, July 8 in a tip-off set for 6:45 am Pacific time.
