Now in her third year of experience in America with Washington State, Eleonora Villa wants to start reaping everything she has sown on this journey. A central player in the Cougars’ project since her first year, the guard from Lombardy is now a veteran within a young, new, and international team aiming to stand out in the upcoming March Madness.
We interviewed her about her journey before arriving in the USA and her relationship with her twin sister Matilde, covering topics from recruitment to her experience with the senior national team this past summer, just before the historic bronze at EuroBasket.
Let’s start with your journey: your relationship with basketball and your path in Italy, from Lissone to Costa Masnaga.
I started playing basketball thanks to my brother. My sister and I were already passionate about sports, which was a shared passion in our family, especially with my dad and my brother. By going to watch their games, at the end of each match we would go onto the court to dribble and try shooting hoops. That’s how our basketball journey began. I started playing with the boys’ team in Lissone, as long as I could, and later I moved to Costa Masnaga, where I discovered women’s basketball. I spent about seven years in Costa, growing a lot both as a player and as a person, until the time came to make a leap and move away. I received an offer from Washington State college and, despite the uncertainties about my future and the decisions I had to make, I decided to take the plunge without overthinking it. It was the best possible choice.
You shared much of your journey with your twin sister Matilde. Now your careers have taken you on different paths, but tell us about your relationship with her and how you share this passion that has become your job.
I’ve always said I was lucky to be able to share everything with Mati. Even today, though we’re far apart, we maintain this bond: I keep giving her my feedback and I constantly look for her point of view, because knowing what she thinks is very important to me. Sharing the court with her was a wonderful experience—the connection I felt playing with her is unique, and I know it will be hard to find that with anyone else. We played together for many years, and that remains one of my most treasured memories; I’d love, one day, to be able to play with her again. Even if now we only see each other through a screen, and often at different times, I still get emotional watching her play. It’s something special. We both know how to support one another and, depending on the situation, we can be either reflective or impulsive. We put up with each other and complete each other; we often switch roles
You recently shared the experience of the documentary that was released on Rai Play. How was this experience as actresses?
Telling your story in front of the cameras is never easy: at first, there is always a bit of embarrassment and the feeling of being closely watched. It was really very beautiful, especially because we shared our reality. Everything was very genuine and spontaneous. It was definitely a special experience, something you don’t get to live every day.
“Non me l’aspettavo – Il basket di Matilde Villa,” the RaiPlay documentary about the Reyer Venezia player, twin sister of Eleonora.
Let’s move on to the NCAA: how did the idea of going there come about three years ago?
The opportunity to go to college came suddenly. I had never really considered it before, especially because of the language barrier—I barely spoke any English, so that path seemed far from my reality. Everything changed when the coaches from Washington State got involved. The summer before I arrived at college, I was busy with the national team, and they started showing interest: they kept asking if I had considered the possibility of an experience in the United States and even offered to come visit me to introduce their program, playing style, and team goals.
So they contacted you directly?
Yes, I was really struck by their attention and the fact that they came directly to my home to personally explain what it meant to be part of their project. It’s not every day that someone from across the world comes to tell you, with enthusiasm and humanity, what your new life could be like. While I was still playing at Costa Masnaga, they continued to follow me closely, even coming to watch my games. This ongoing communication made me feel truly wanted, especially on a personal level: they made me understand that they were special people you can trust.
Feeling this trust from them helped me make the decision. When I visited the Washington State campus in April, both my teammates and the whole environment immediately made me feel at home. My choice then came almost naturally: the recruitment process was long and intense, but it made Washington State my natural choice. Even though there were some small approaches from other programs, I always considered only them as my option.
How did your relationship with them develop and how did the visit go?
I went there with my brother and his girlfriend because they knew the language. I spent two days on campus; I was still in the middle of my sports season and had to get back to training soon. They were super organized from the moment we arrived: they gave us a detailed schedule with all the planned activities and took us on a comprehensive tour of the campus, even including time for us to rest and get over the jet lag. We also had the chance to eat at the most typical places in Pullman, which I now know very well.
One of the best experiences was dinner at the coaches’ house with the whole team; during the evening, they showed us a video recapping Washington State’s past season with all their achievements. They had also organized a board games night and a karaoke evening, which was a lot of fun and really put me at ease. They were incredibly attentive, even preparing topics they knew I would find interesting. This thoughtful welcome made me feel truly at home right from the start.
Funny, they basically threw a party for you. What’s typical about Pullman (the town where the university is located)?
During the visit, they took me to eat at the Black Cypress, which is considered the best restaurant in Pullman. I have to say, even though I’m Italian, I found their meat truly excellent. They also took me to see the football fields and on a tour of the university campus. The town I’m in essentially revolves entirely around the university: there aren’t many other attractions outside the campus, but that’s precisely why the university environment is so well cared for and welcoming. Everything is designed and built for student life, making the atmosphere really engaging and pleasant.
How is life on campus?
I spent my first year in a dormitory and now I have an apartment with three of my teammates, so it’s very convenient. We’re ten minutes from campus, and I really like the campus lifestyle—I’m always there. My typical day starts very early: I wake up, train, eat, go to class, and then usually hang out with my teammates or friends. We often go to watch volleyball games, or football games on the weekends. It’s not much different from the classic American campus life we see in the movies.
Washington State’s campus, at Pullman
Washington State has experienced the transition from the Pac-12 to the WCC over these two years: how have these seasons gone and how have you grown?
I honestly can’t complain. Since my first year at Washington State, I’ve always had a lot of playing time and the coaches have shown extraordinary trust in me. You can really feel that support, and it’s exactly what a player needs to perform at their best during games. This trust has helped me immensely to grow as a player. In the past, especially when I played with Mati, I was often the one ready to finish plays or take the “decisive shot.” At Washington State, instead, I’ve been able to develop even more, taking on a more central role, often initiating plays and handling the ball more. Being so involved allowed me to take on more responsibility, to learn from mistakes, and to mature both as an athlete and as a person.
In both seasons I played, my role was pretty central, something I’m extremely grateful for. Each conference has very different teams—some more physical, some more technical—and this always provides new challenges and opportunities to learn from tough opponents, improving different aspects of my game. Even from a team perspective, I experienced two very different seasons: some athletes graduated and new teammates arrived, creating a different group each time. I always felt comfortable, also thanks to the very international environment of the team.
Your first year in the States, you found yourself in the Pac-12, which that year included players like Cameron Brink, now a star in the WNBA, and JuJu Watkins. That year you also played against Caitlin Clark’s Iowa. What was it like going from Italy to playing against them?
The experience of playing at such a high level, right from my first year in the United States, was really motivating. At the start, when people talked to me about some particularly strong players, I often had no idea who they really were; maybe that “naivety” helped me, because I would step on the court without putting too much pressure or worry on myself, unlike those who already knew the reputation of their opponents. This approach allowed me to play more freely and lightheartedly. Over time, of course, I learned about all these players, many of whom now play professionally, and facing them was always a strong personal challenge. Playing at this level constantly pushes you to give your best: the goal is always to do well, to improve, and to contribute significantly to the team.
We would prepare for games based on the characteristics of our opponents. Our defensive strategies were tailored to the type of players we faced. I particularly remember when we played against Cameron Brink: the plan was to always be ready to double her as soon as she put the ball on the floor, but without leaving ourselves too exposed, given her great ability to distribute the game. All of this allowed me to grow a lot, both technically and in reading different game situations. I’m very happy to have managed to make an important contribution to the team and to have proven—first and foremost to myself—that I could compete at this level. Competing in a top-level conference like the Pac-12 was truly exciting. Making the leap from Italy to the United States, not really knowing what to expect, motivated me a lot: today I’m proud to have been able to play, and express myself at my best, in such a prestigious setting.
And this year in the WCC, how did it go?
Our main goal was to qualify for March Madness. We made it to the conference tournament semifinals where, unfortunately, we stopped. From our point of view, though, we were a very young and especially new group, since we had lost six seniors compared to the previous year. It was a big change: we had to get to know each other better and adapt to each other’s characteristics and playing styles. However, I think this experience gave us something extra for the future. Even though we didn’t achieve our goal this year, we’re convinced that next year will be different: our aim is to have a complete run, win the conference, and qualify again for the tournament. Overall, we had a very positive season, with many important wins. Of course, we would have liked to finish on an even brighter note, but that feeling of having more to give now will be extra motivation to do better next year.
Next we've got Eleonora Villa who was selected All-WCC Second Team! 🏆
Ele is our leading scorer, finishing the regular season averaging 13.9 points per game!#GoCougs pic.twitter.com/qYGkAOGcH4
— WSU Cougar Women's 🏀 (@WSUCougarWBB) March 4, 2025
What is it like spending the summer in the NCAA? You’ve remained loyal to Washington State without entering the portal, but many of your teammates have. How do you handle this situation?
Six seniors left. The transfer portal and all the calls players receive make everything more complicated, but also stimulating, because you always have to be ready to adapt and grow quickly. In the end, it’s a personal choice; you choose the portal for the good of your career. When you decide to enter, you open up to a lot of new possibilities: new offers, new teams, new adventures—you really have a thousand paths ahead of you. But from the outside, you can see it’s not an easy choice: leaving a college truly means giving up what you know to jump into something completely new and a bit unknown.
You don’t know who will call you, what offers you’ll get. It’s quite a mystery and takes courage. Then, as soon as you enter the portal, you realize it almost becomes a second job: you get a flood of emails, you have to reply to everyone, organize your thoughts, schedule video calls with coaches, maybe even arrange visits to various colleges. They give you the chance to go there in person, see what the place is like, meet the teams, check out the facilities. It’s wonderful but also exhausting, because you might spend a week on a flight visiting one college and the next week somewhere else entirely. It’s really something you do only if you feel you need a change and want to challenge yourself somewhere new, maybe looking for the right situation for you and new opportunities in basketball.
Have you ever been tempted by the portal?
I admit that I’ve had some temptation, but I feel so good here and have so much trust in my coaches and teammates. The idea crossed my mind, but as soon as it came, it went away. They have given me everything I’ve needed and if I’m growing as a player and a person, it’s thanks to them—so I want to stay here and try to reach the best goals with them. The important thing is to find the best place for your own career and I believe I’ve done that.
During recruiting, did you ever reach out to other Italian players who were already over here for feedback or advice? And now, maybe, has anyone contacted you as they’re about to make this choice?
Before saying yes to Washington State, I talked to some of my friends who were in their second or third year of college. I remember writing to Anna Rescifina and Laura Toffali, who I’ve known for a long time. Now I’ve found myself on the other side, with girls who’ve reached out to me while making their decision. For example, I talked with Caterina Piatti (who will play at Florida next season). I enjoyed it because it reminded me of the anxiety and uncertainty I had at that moment, and now I’ve become the person who can reassure them.
Let’s talk about NIL, which is a hot topic these last few years. How is Washington State organizing itself to pay players like you?
Now they’ve finally allowed us internationals to earn money too—before, it was a bit of a taboo. It was more complicated for us; we could only do activities when we were in Italy. For example, lately I had to do a city tour as a guide showing my hometown. Then this summer I found out we’ll start getting paid for some activities. Later on, I’ll make another video where I’ll talk about what it means to be a Cougar. It’s a win-win situation.
The Beasley Coliseum
This summer you also got called up to the senior national team: how did it go, and what was it like being part of the group that won bronze at the European Championship a few weeks ago?
This summer I was really happy because the call-up was a bit unexpected and it was a wonderful experience for me—finally, you get to be with top-level players and share the court with them. The memory of my debut will stay with me forever. It was amazing being there, and right from the start, there was a sense that we could do great things together. Even though I watched them win the medal from the outside, it was fantastic to know I had been part of that group, of those training sessions. Being with the senior national team was something new for me, I was very nervous because it was a dream come true, and seeing their approach in practice was inspiring. I took away many things that will make me a better player. I got to be on the court and pass the ball to athletes I had watched since I was little.
It’s a national team with a strong ‘American’ influence: Francesca Pan, Lorela Cubaj, Cecilia Zandalasini—between college and WNBA, many have been there. Did you already know them in person, or was it also a discovery on a human level?
To tell the truth, I was nervous. I kept thinking, “I’m the youngest in the group, who knows what they’ll make me do,” but it ended up being the easiest thing in the world—the group welcomed me wonderfully. There were a few players I already knew—I grew up with Spreafico at Costa Masnaga; we played together and I was used to calling her ‘Mama Sprea.’ She helped me a lot, and then I had Matilde and her teammates whom I had already met, like Pan, Cubaj, Santucci, and Fassina. So I already knew a few of the girls, and then I got to know everyone else. I was anxious about my first experience, but in the end, it was no big deal.
Back in America, we’re living in a golden age of women’s basketball. First Sabrina Ionescu, then Paige Bueckers and Caitlin Clark. What is it like experiencing this from the U.S.?
For me, Caitlin Clark has literally changed the fate of women’s basketball. All the records she’s reached have helped women’s basketball get a much higher audience. People have started to take a lot more interest, and if you look at the visibility the final she played got in college—it was never like that before, that many people watching a game. She is starting a revolution, bringing in incredible numbers. I went to play at Iowa against her and the arena was packed, something that had never happened before, and playing under those lights, with so many people filling the arena, is amazing.
How has Washington State organized itself this off-season? You’re many internationals and right now not all of you can be on campus: how do you work remotely?
We are always in touch with the coaches—every weekend a message arrives from them. Before leaving campus, they left us all with a big workbook where they listed every workout you can do: from weightlifting, to shooting sessions, to gym workouts. Day by day, all the exercises are personalized for you. For example, they knew I had a week of vacation planned, so they specifically prepared conditioning sessions for me for those days. I really appreciate these things because they spend so much of their time making sure you can improve. Summer is that time when you improve individually and can work on yourself, and even from a distance, they are present for us.
You’re in Italy now—when do you return to America?
I was supposed to come back on July 15th, but with all the visa issues we had to postpone the departure and now I’ll go back in mid-August. There are many internationals, all with different time zones and from different parts of the world. Some are already there, some, like me, will return in August while the Americans are already at the campus. It will be nice to go back and see everyone together again.
Last question: You’re in your third year in America. There are important goals for the upcoming season, but let’s jump into the future: it’s your last game with Washington State in two years—what would make you happy if it happened?
My main goal is definitely to play in March Madness and go as far as possible in the Tournament. That’s also the goal I want to have for the upcoming season—it’s what I’ve always wanted since my freshman year, but so far we haven’t managed to achieve it. I have high expectations for this year.