Since women’s basketball has been on the rise here in the states as well as in Puerto Rico this is the time for players like Zulymar “ZU” Velazquez to mark zher territory; ZU did just that.. Once touching down in San Juan, Puerto Rico this past summer she had private sessions scheduled with NBA Trainer Steven Garcia from Pro-Bounce. If you’re locked in with FIBA, then you would know that Steven Garcia is also the trainer to Felipe A. Quinones from IMG Academy Class of 2026.
ZU is so passionate about her craft for women’s basketball that she went to social media to explain the reasoning behind her jersey number “5” and honoring Pamela Rosado Roman a Puerto Rico’s Olympian Zuly states “The inspiration you have given me is why I joined Team Puerto Rico and it would only be right for me to keep my jersey number “5” to honor you and the legacy you continue to build!”.
Zulymar’s passion was felt as well as recognized by Felipe Martinez Roman from FoulyvalePR who stated” I can not deny the fact that I have enjoyed seeing the energy and bravery of the Boricua prospect, Zulymar Velazquez making her debut representing Puerto Rico putting numbers coming out of the bank. Zulymar “ZU” Velazquez gives me such a brutal resemblance to the OLYMPIAN, Dayshalee Salaman because of her way of playing and because she’s not afraid of anything or anyone on the court.”. Zulymar and Salaman displayed their founding sisterhood via social media creating a bond like big sis, little sis and that’s what true inspiration looks like.
Team Puerto Rico placed 3rd and received the Bronze medal that qualified them to participate next year at the FIBA Women’s AmeriCup 2025. The FIBA Regional Office in the Americas and the Chilean Basketball Federation announced that Chile for the second time will host the FIBA Women’s AmeriCup 2025. This 18th edition of the most prestigious women’s tournament on the continent will be played in Santiago, the capital of Chile, from June 28 to July 6, 2025.
It’s been speculated that ZU will not be returning to the Puma Circuit and, in fact, will be returning to Nike EYBL 2025 in Los Angeles. We have yet to confirm which club team Zu will be a part of due to the highschool basketball season starting soon. Zu has entered the transfer portal and will no longer attend Northwood High School in California and it’s been said that she will be attending Canyon High School under the direction of Head Coach Sara Brown.
Coach Brown, in her first year at Canyon High School, brought a CIF Championship Banner for the Varsity Women’s Basketball program. Coach Brown is very known for her accomplishments as a CIF player as well as a CIF Championship Coach.
Team Puerto Rico Roster:
Amahya Hernandez #0
Mia Orama #1
Sol Rodriguez #2
Bryanna Terron #3
Nathalia Colon #4
Zulymar Velazquez #5
Yesil Garcia #7
Isabella Figueroa #9
Dalymar Velazquez #11
Jadielys Vazquez #12
Jarymar Flores #13
Glorylis Torres #15
Head Coach: Roberto Canada
Asst Coach 1: Maria Medina
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School: Canyon High School
Sport: Women’s Basketball
Year: Sophomore | Class of 2027
Coach: Sara Brown (Head Coach), Devonn Chowdhury (Asst. Coach)
Zulymar Social Media:
IG: @ZulyVelaz
X: @ZulyVelaz
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@zulyvelaz
(Photo Credit: Via Zulymar’s Instagram\ @assenavfotos)