Vicky Graff Photo
Since she was 4 years old, Clara Silva says she has “always been taller” than everyone, one reason she played basketball like her brother did. Her parents were both former basketball players and used to coach her.
“My brother is taller than me,” said the 6-7 Silva. “My dad is taller than me, too. I don’t remember a lot about them coaching me because I was so young but I do remember they always wanted me to follow my dream.”
The Kentucky freshman did that by leaving Portugal to play for Kenny Brooks at Kentucky.
“Basketball is not really that big in Portugal. I went to play in Spain because basketball is bigger there, and I improved a lot there,” Silva said.
Silva played three seasons for Unicaja in the Spain-LF Challenge League and was playing there when she signed with UK last April. Silva played in several international competitions and some recruiting analysts considered her the best center prospect in her recruiting class.
Silva and Kentucky will play at No. 13 Oklahoma today at 4 p.m. on the SEC Network.
