To help women's basketball celebrate 45 years at Iona College, we will be spotlighting alumni and highlighting the program's most memorable moments each week leading up to the 2020 Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Championship.
Marina Lizarazu was the point guard for Iona's Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Championship winning squad in 2016. Lizarazu was named the MAAC Tournament Most Outstanding Player, averaging 17.3 PPG and 3.3 APG in the postseason. The Madrid, Spain native concluded her Iona career with two First Team All-MAAC selections, two MAAC Tournament Team selections, an MBWA All-MET Third Team selection and an All-MBWA Third Team honor. Lizarazu left her mark on the program, finishing her career first in assists per game, fourth all-time in assists, tied for ninth in steals per game and 20th all-time in scoring. She also owns the two highest assist totals for a season (175 and 171) and the most assists in a game for a Gael (12, two times).
Is there any particular memory that stands out from your time with the program, whether it be on our off of the court?
Without any doubt the best memory I have is when we won the MAAC Championship in 2016 against all odds. It was special because it was the first for the Iona women's basketball program in school history. This accomplishment also gave us an automatic bid to our first NCAA Tournament. It was a great feeling to see how all the unseen work from all the members of the team (from coaches to managers to fans to players) paid off. It was an awesome year and an incredible experience for all of us.
What is your life like now? (Work, etc.)
I am playing basketball overseas. I play professionally in the Spanish Division 1 League. Right now I am playing for a team called Valencia Basket, which is a very good team in Spain. Also, I am coming off an injury that I suffered last year, so I am working hard to come back stronger. However, it is not all bad news; life has given me the opportunity to play again with one of the best players that has ever played at Iona, my good friend Joy Adams. She was one of my old teammates at Iona who made that dream of becoming MAAC Champions possible. Now, our paths have crossed again and we are enjoying this new journey together.
How did Iona prepare you as you embarked on your professional career?
Iona showed me the importance of hard work. I think being constant and passionate about what you do is key, especially when you go through tough times or injuries. Giving up was never an option and it will never be. Iona taught me to always stay hungry, the hunger for being better as a player and as a person every single day.
What advice would you give to the young student-athletes joining the Iona College Women's Basketball program?
I would tell them to open their eyes and ears and try to take the most learning out of their college experience. Believe in what the coaches tell them to do and build a good and solid work ethic. College basketball can only be lived once so don't waste a minute of your time there. Listen, learn and enjoy the journey.
