Getting accustomed to a new country and learning a new language is a daunting challenge for anyone, let alone a sophomore in college who has her sights set on finding success in Division I basketball.
After trading the subtropical climate of São Paulo, Brazil, for the desert landscape of Tempe, Arizona, Heloisa Carrera found herself in that exact position this season as a 6'2 sophomore forward on the ASU women's basketball team.
She spent her freshman season at Ole Miss in 2024-25, where she totaled 22 points in 62 minutes throughout the whole year.
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When head coach Molly Miller began rebuilding ASU's women's basketball program, Carrera stood out despite her lack of playtime. Miller decided to take a chance on not just one, but three international players, and with just a few weeks remaining in the regular season, she doesn't regret that choice at all.
"You're going to a foreign land, and you're trying to see how you fit in, not only as a team but in a new place, in a new nation," Miller said. "I'm just really excited that we grabbed some good ones. I could not say more positive things about (Carrera), Martina (Fantini) and Last-Tear (Poa). They've just been great."
In her first season as a Sun Devil, Carrera's gotten her chance to start, averaging just under 10 points a game and a little over five rebounds. She's a natural competitor at heart and believes that the international presence on ASU's roster brings a unique perspective to the game.
"It's really great to be recruited, to come to America to play the highest level of (college) basketball," Carrera said. "And bringing my IQ, (Fantini's) IQ and Poa's IQ, it really helps the team. We see different things that some people don't see because of the culture of basketball."
Even though the forward is still getting used to playing at the college level, Carrera's already having to act as a mentor to younger players on the roster. Like the rest of the team, graduate guard Gabby Elliott is impressed with what the sophomore's accomplished this early on.
"No matter what, I feel like (Carrera) responds very well," Elliott said. "Whether it's saying we need more or it's telling her good job, she responds very well … She has to lead the way for people like (Fantini) and people like (Timya Grice), and I feel like she's stepping up to the plate very well."
On Jan. 17, Carrera put up a career-high 22 points against Kansas — tying her total from last season in just one game. Third on the team in scoring, she's hit double digits in 12 of 25 contests this season.
With only six games remaining in the regular season, Carrera will look to cap off an impressive sophomore year on a high note. Facing a language barrier in a foreign country, she's still managed to prove she can play with the best at the highest level of college basketball.
"Her ceiling's so high," Miller said. "What she's done already in this young career, in this young season, in this young program has been phenomenal. So a lot of credit to her for her work ethic."
Edited by Niall Rosenberg, Jack McCarthy and Pippa Fung.
Reach the reporter at holtzingerethan@gmail.com and follow @EthanZinger6 on X.
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Ethan Holtzinger is a sports reporter for The State Press who has previously worked for Cronkite News and the Arizona Interscholastic Association. He is in his 2nd semester with The State Press and 5th semester at ASU.
