Irene Noya Catoira Named to Spain's 2026 FIBA U20 World Cup Team Roster
June 29, 2026 | Women's Basketball
News
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - Fighting Illini women's basketball rising junior Irene Noya Catoira has been named to Spain's roster for the 2026 FIBA U20 World Cup. Action will take place from July 4-12 in Altus and Klaipeda, Lithuania.
Noya Catoira is a 6-3 forward who hails from Vilagarcía de Arousa, Pontevedra, Spain. The junior attended Institut Joaquim Blume.
During her sophomore season with the Fighting Illini, Noya Catoira appeared in 17 games, averaging 1.2 points, and 1.2 rebounds in 5.6 minutes per game. She shot 56.3% from the field (9-for-16) and additionally contributed five assists and five steals on the season. Noya Catoira earned Academic All-Big Ten accolades in the classroom as well.
Noya Catoira also represented Spain last year at the 2025 FIBA U19 World Cup where the team placed third, defeating Canada. Additionally, Noya Catoira represented Spain at the age of 15 in the Ciudad de Toledo International Tournament and helped the team to a runner-up finish at the 2023 FIBA 3x3 U17 Europe Cup following a second-place finish at the 2023 FIBA 3x3 U17 Europe Cup Qualifier. She also played for Segle XXI in the Spain-LF2 league from 2022-24, helping the team win the Group B regular season championship both seasons.
The Illini was one of 15 players called up for the Spain U20 team's early summer training action. Mini-camp started on June 8 and was followed by tournament play featuring Spain, Belgium, Germany, and Hungary from June 19-21. The team played two matches in Latvia from June 28-29, which were followed by the final cuts to the roster of 12.
In the 2026 FIBA U20 Women's World Cup, Spain is in Group A alongside Israel, Lithuania, and Croatia. More information on the 2026 FIBA U20 World Cup can be found HERE.
