FORT MYERS, Fla. — Out of the hundreds of FSW women’s basketball players that have taken the court inside Suncoast Credit Union Arena, only one since 2018 has been given the opportunity to stay in Southwest Florida and play for FGCU — but that is set to change.
Coming to FSW from Chile to play basketball was always the goal for Macarena Retamales.
“I came here because, well, for me it was like a dream to come here,” the FSW sophomore said.
Retamales was discovered by head coach Dr. Jerald Ellis while playing for Chile in the FIBA games.
At that time, she was playing for the U-18 team and was coming off the bench. But even then, Coach Ellis saw qualities that could make a star.
She was granted an extra year of eligibility due to COVID-19 and never expected to be playing at the junior college level for three seasons.
But that doesn’t mean the experience wasn’t worth it.
“I feel like I have been growing a lot as a player and as a person as well,” Retamales said.
This season she has started every single game and currently leads the team with over 16 points per game after averaging more than 15 points per game last season.
She has steadily improved each season she has been in Southwest Florida, which led to her receiving an offer and eventually signing with mid-major powerhouse Florida Gulf Coast and head coach Karl Smesko.
“It was a really long process — like since I got here. But I feel like everything is worth it because everything happened for a reason,” Retamales said.
Once she put pen to paper earlier this season, she became only the second Florida Southwestern player and the first since Erna Normill in 2018 to sign with the in-town Eagles.
“I am really happy about that. I just want to put FSW, like the name of FSW really high,” Retamales said.
A perfect fit and another weapon for the Eagles.
“She has the basketball IQ. She will fit in; she can shoot the deep ball. I think it is going to be a good fit. I am looking forward to seeing her play,” Coach Ellis said.
There were many factors that led to Maca choosing the Eagles. Yes, she does have a newfound love for the area and does consider Southwest Florida to be home. But it’s having her coach and teammates a short drive away that sealed the deal.
“You know she even said that to me one day. I said so what is going to be the best thing and she said Coach, you get to see me play,” Coach Ellis said.
Proving that even in green and blue, she’ll always be a Buc. You can catch Maca and FSW as they begin conference play at home Saturday at 2 p.m.
The post FSW star Retamales excited to join FGCU basketball next season appeared first on NBC2 News.
