CSUN Guard Rita Nazario Wins U20 EuroBasket Title

Rita Nazario just added international champion to her resume, and she's bringing that winning energy back to CSUN this fall.

The California State University Northridge point guard helped Portugal's U20 National Team capture the EuroBasket Division B Championship in Samokov, Bulgaria this past weekend. The tournament ran from July 4-12, and Portugal didn't lose a single game.

Nazario and her teammates dominated the group stage, beating Montenegro and Switzerland by double digits. But their most impressive performance came in the qualifying round against host nation Bulgaria.

The CSUN standout delivered her best game of the tournament when it mattered most. Coming off the bench, she scored 10 points on efficient 4-of-6 shooting in Portugal's commanding 92-54 victory that sent them to the semifinals.

Portugal kept rolling in the semis, defeating Slovakia 73-46 to reach the championship game. In the finals against Greece, they made it look easy with a 73-48 win.

Nazario proved clutch throughout the tournament's final stretch. She hit at least one three-pointer in each of Portugal's last four victories, showing the same sharpshooting that made her a star at CSUN.

Why This Inspires

Nazario's international success reflects the hard work she put in during her first season with the Matadors in 2025-26. She led her college team in scoring with 10.4 points per game while playing all 30 games.

Her consistency showed up in the stats. She made 68 three-pointers to lead the team and shot an impressive 83.3 percent from the free-throw line, also tops on the squad.

Now heading into her junior year at CSUN, Nazario brings championship experience and confidence. Winning on an international stage against Europe's rising basketball talent shows she can perform under pressure.

The victory also highlights how college athletes are competing at the highest levels worldwide. Nazario balanced her college season with national team duties, representing Portugal with pride while making her mark in California.

Portugal's perfect tournament run proves that dedication, teamwork, and skill can overcome any challenge, and Nazario played a key role in making it happen.