Book review: Ibáñez, S. J. (2024). Mujer y baloncesto. Servicio de publicaciones de la Universidad de Extremadura.

Abstract

Anyone could say that the current situation of women’s sports is the best in its entire history. Female athletes, coaches, and professionals in the sports field have achieved—through great effort—a growing presence and increased visibility in the media. We might also think that not all sports are the same and that, in basketball, women have enjoyed a notable presence for several decades. However, this situation may create a “mirage of equality” that quickly fades when we listen to the testimonies of the sport’s main figures. The book Women and Basketball is an essential work, based on a compilation of articles by different authors. Sergio José Ibáñez Godoy, the editor of the book and director of the GOERD research group (Group for the Optimization of Training and Sports Performance) at the University of Extremadura, gives voice to researchers, professors, coaches, and players. Their studies and testimonies provide the necessary insight to understand women’s basketball today and (spoiler alert) reveal that not all that glitters is gold. The purpose of this book is to invite reflection on the role of women in basketball—their achievements, their aspirations, and the barriers they face in reaching them.