Thalya Perez
FIRST EXPERIENCE OVERSEAS
"Playing abroad is a goal in itself."
At just 19 years old, Thalya Perez has taken an important step in her young career: leavingBelgium for her first experience abroad.
Now discovering a new basketball environment in Germany, the young Belgian guard
speaks to Oversia about adapting to life abroad, developing her game, her ambitions for the season and the importance of being surrounded by the right people throughout her career.
A NEW CHAPTER ABROAD
To start, how are you experiencing this new chapter in your career and
your first few weeks abroad?
I’m really enjoying it. At first, it’s always a new rhythm to get used to because you’re far from home, away from your parents and everything you’re familiar with.
But here, they really do everything they can to make us feel comfortable. We’re just a few minutes away from the gym, we have lunch provided, and so on.
Whether it’s me or the other players, we really feel well supported, and the staff does
everything they can to make sure we feel comfortable. So I’m really happy here.
What made you want to leave Belgium and experience playing abroad?
It was a little complicated and quite a last-minute decision because certain things didn’t workout in Belgium. But it was also one of my goals to experience a different league outside of Belgium.
“It was one of my goals to experience a different league
outside of Belgium.”
What are the main differences you’ve noticed between basketball in Belgium and basketball in Germany?
First of all, the facilities are completely different from what I experienced in Belgium. Here, everything is in one place.
Even in terms of the pace and quality of the practices, there’s really no comparison. In just six weeks, I already feel like I’ve improved a lot.
In terms of the league itself, we’ve played two games against a German team, and the pace and physicality are completely different.
“In just six weeks, I already feel like I’ve improved a lot.”
At only 19, moving to another country to live and play also means a lot
of changes off the court. Was it difficult for you to adapt?
Not really. I went to boarding school when I was 14, so being away from home was already something I was used to.
Being outside my own country was something new, though. But I didn’t really struggle with it because I was leaving to pursue what I want to do: play basketball.
It was simply a different rhythm to get used to. My parents regularly come to see me, and when I have a few days off, I go and visit them. So overall, it’s been going well.
And culturally, outside of basketball, is there anything that has surprised
you?
Not really. It’s quite similar to Belgium. The mentality and culture are more or less the same. People here are really kind and welcoming.
DEVELOPING HER GAME
How would you describe yourself on the court to someone who has
never seen you play?
I would describe myself as a fast player. Most of the time, I also think about my teammates before thinking about myself.
Is there one aspect of your game that you would particularly like to
develop this season?
My defense, and especially my shooting. But that’s something I’m already working on with my coach.
On the other hand, what would you say is the biggest strength you can
rely on today?
My speed.
This Sunday, you’ll play your first official game with the club. What
mindset are you going into this first game with?
It’s still my first league game abroad. But it’s not my first game with this team, so I’m less stressed than I was for my very first game.
There’s still some pressure because it’s our first home game. The fans will be there and we don’t want to disappoint them. It’s still a first game, so you always want to make a good impression.
When you walk off the court at the end of the game, what will make you
think, “Okay, I had a successful first game here”?
I’m rarely satisfied with my games. Even when everyone tells me I played well, I’m never completely satisfied with myself.
But for me, if I’ve done my job defensively and done what my coach asked me to do, then I can say I did my job.
I
’m very demanding of myself, so it takes a lot for me to be satisfied. But if my coach is
happy with the work I’ve done, then I can tell myself,“I did my job.”
“I’m very demanding of myself.”
THE IMPORTANCE OF THE RIGHT ENVIRONMENT
When you move abroad at such a young age, how important is it to be
surrounded by the right people and receive the right guidance when
making career decisions?
It’s really important because it’s not like moving just a few streets away from home. I’m 400 kilometers away from home, and my parents aren’t here with me.
Of course, we have phones nowadays, but if I need something, I still have to manage things on my own.
Being in an environment where you feel well supported, where you have everything you need, and having everything Antoine has put in place to make sure I’m comfortable here is really important for the development of players who move abroad, both physically and mentally.
How has the agency supported you during the transition into your first
experience abroad?
I signed with Antoine after the European Championship this summer because Antoine could open different doors for me.
So I decided to ask Antoine for help, and he found me a club.
Beyond finding a club, what do you think an agency should bring to a
player throughout her career?
An agency can provide advice, especially from a sporting perspective. Your parents are always there to give you advice, but they don’t necessarily have that sporting perspective.
An agency can also become, in a way, like a second family when you’re abroad. You’re regularly in contact with them, they check in on you and see how you’re doing.
For me, at least, that’s how I see it.
“An agency can also become, in a way, like a second family when you’re abroad.”
LOOKING AHEAD
What goal have you set for yourself for your first season abroad?
To have a good season. And for me, having a good season means opening new doors so that next season can be even better than this one.
So moving abroad and travelling doesn’t scare you?
No, it’s actually a goal in itself.
I’d like to play in higher-level leagues than the Belgian league, especially to experience
different mentalities and discover the kind of facilities they can offer abroad.
THALYA PEREZ
Interview by Oversia Management · 2026