2 European women

One thing that can describe the women’s basketball team is its diversity.

There are six players from Midwest states, but also five from southern or southeastern states, one from Hawaii and two from the eastern European country of Latvia. Junior forward Linda Rubene and sophomore center Kristiana Stauere both play for Indiana, but their path to the Hoosier State was very different.

“I don’t look at them being a foreigner or black, white. I just treat them all as my kids,” IU Coach Felisha Legette-Jack said.

Though the sport is the same, sometimes living in a different country can be a culture shock. One of the main differences both players said they noticed was the food.

“This is a fast food-eating country,” Stauere said. Rubene responded by saying, “What I miss most is the food.”

Both Latvian players said they had a love of basketball from an early age and met each other in the early years of high school.

“We met in high school almost seven years ago through basketball,” Rubene said.
Even with a switch late in school, the two still played with each other on the club team. Both also had international experience by playing for the Latvian youth National teams.
“With international teams you do way more scouting because you have to know your opponents,” Stauere said.

But the two took different paths to playing for IU’s Coach Legette-Jack.

Rubene went to Iowa Western Community College for her first two years in the United States. After those two years, Rubene transferred to play for the same school as her friend Stauere: IU.

Stauere, though, came directly from Riga, Latvia, to earn a scholarship and play for the Hoosiers as a freshman. Rubene explained that Stauere was the “cherry on top” that made her commit and transfer to IU.

“I just loved this place. I love my coaches, my teammates, but she was an addition to all of that,” she said.

She also said the transition to transfer to Indiana was also very easy because of Stauere.

“It was definitely easier for me ‘cause she was already here and has been here for a year,” she said. “She was giving me advice. School-wise, basketball-wise and what the coaches were expecting."

Luckily, college basketball in America has been a smooth transition for both players.

“That’s really cool that they came from the same country and on the same international team, but they come to America and discover other people,” Legette-Jack said.

The main difference the two women noticed is the strength and conditioning emphasized in American basketball, they said.

“I think basketball here is more physical. That’s why we spend a lot of time in the weight room,” Rubene said.

Both said they feel they have versatility in their positions with their height. Stauere at 6’4” plays forward and Rubene at 6’3” plays forward as well.

Their experiences from basketball in high school to international to college have helped them improve their fundamental skills.

Shooting ability is something they both pride themselves on.

“We are both excellent shooters,” Stauere said.

Rubene and Stauere took different roads to Indiana University, but both ended in the same destination, playing for Coach Legette-Jack on the same team.

Their connection and relationship as friends, roommates and teammates on the court can be a benefit to this Hoosier team.