Amalia Holguin: From Sage Hill High School to University of Texas - A Rising Star in Women's Basketball
Amalia Holguin, a senior at Sage Hill High School, has committed to play basketball for the University of Texas, a top-ranked women's collegiate program. The 5-foot-9 guard, who was named to the All-County team for the second year in a row, led her team to victory in the CIF Southern California Regional Division 1 title game and a runner-up finish at the CIF State championships. Holguin was also named the Pacific Coast League MVP after averaging 15.2 points, 4.2 assists, and 2.4 steals per game.
In a recent Instagram post, Holguin expressed her excitement about her commitment to Texas, a team that had an impressive 35-4 record last season and made it to the NCAA Women's Final Four. She played a crucial role in the regional final, scoring 17 of her 24 points in the second half to secure a 52-41 win against Windward. Despite a 51-48 loss to Carondelet in the state final, Holguin's performance was outstanding, with 21 points, including four 3-pointers.
Before her high school career, Holguin was the youngest player on Kobe Bryant's Mambas team, based in Orange County. At Sage Hill, she joined forces with former Mambas players Zoie Lamkin, Kat Righeimer, Annabelle Spotts, and Emily Eadie to form the Mamba 5. The tragic loss of three of their teammates, including Bryant's daughter Gianna, in a helicopter crash in January 2020 deeply impacted the team. The crash also claimed the lives of their coaches Kobe Bryant and Christina Mauser, as well as other passengers on board.
Amalia Holguin's commitment to the University of Texas is a testament to her talent and dedication to the sport. Her journey from playing with Kobe Bryant's youth team to becoming a standout player at Sage Hill High School showcases her resilience and determination. We look forward to following her success at the collegiate level and beyond.