Kentucky WBB freshman Clara Silva is dominating FIBA U18 EuroBasket for Portugal

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Photo of Portugal's Clara Silva via FIBA

Kenny Brooks has elevated the Kentucky women’s basketball talent level to impressive heights in just a few months — and one of his best players hasn’t even made it to campus yet.

Incoming freshman Clara Silva, a 6-foot-6 center out of Portugal, is currently representing her home country at the FIBA U18 Women’s EuroBasket championship, which is being played in Matosinhos, Portugal. Through two games (both wins) in the Group Phase, she’s been Portugal’s best overall player and arguably one of the best in the entire event.

Silva led Portugal to wins over Italy (68-49) and Germany (69-55) on Saturday and Sunday, respectively, while leading her team in minutes both times. She dropped 17 points (6-13 FG), 10 rebounds, three assists, and one steal in 31 minutes against Italy before exploding for 27 points (13-17 FG), seven rebounds, four blocks, and two assists in 28 minutes against Germany.

For those counting at home, that puts Silva’s per-game average at 22 points (second-most among all players) and 8.5 rebounds on a shooting percentage of 63.3 percent. Remember, this is a girl who would have been ranked among ESPN’s top 10 players in the 2024 recruiting class had she played in the United States. She’s backing up that belief so far in FIBA.

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An impressive 17 + 10 double double to open Matosinhos' #U18EuroBasket for the host, Clara Silva 😤🇵🇹 pic.twitter.com/Z2JvhMg38s
— FIBA Women's EuroBasket 🏀 (@EuroBasketWomen) August 4, 2024

Silva was one of two players (Oregon State transfer Dominika Paurová) not present at Kentucky’s Media Day earlier this week due to overseas obligations. Unfortunately, a lower leg injury suffered by Paurová in mid-July has likely already ended her 2024-25 season before it could even begin. Regardless, she’s expected to arrive on campus later this month and will be eligible to apply for a medical redshirt.

As for Silva, she’ll make her to way Lexington after EuroBasket play wraps up on August 11. A win for Portugal over Serbia on Monday would secure its spot in the knockout stage, which begins on Tuesday. Silva would then need to win four straight games over the course of six days to come away with gold.

It’s no wonder Silva was tabbed one of 10 players to watch ahead of this event by FIBA. Bring some hardware to campus with you, Clara.