Brent Mutis
CapU Blues sports info
Traveling is generally considered a bad thing to do in basketball.
But in the case of Barcha Hnizdilova, this isn’t a rules violation. It’s an amazing opportunity she’s earned by playing her way on to the U20 team for her native Czechia. She and her teammates are currently in Portugal, having traveled to Matosinhos – just outside the major hub of Porto – for the FIBA U20 Women’s EuroBasket tournament happening Aug. 2 to 10.
Spain has dominated the event over the last decade though France is the two-time defending champion. Hnizdilova’s home country last medaled at the U20s in 2022 with a silver finish and she’s looking forward the competition as well as soaking up the atmosphere.
“It's going to be super fun,” says Hnizdilova. “All the girls are great people and I've never been to Portugal so I'm excited to explore the country on our days off.”
Czechia is in Pool D, along with Italy, Poland and the Netherlands, for the 16-team tournament. Hnizdilova’s side is a decent bet to advance as they are favoured in their matchups against Poland and the Netherlands but will be underdogs against Italy. Facing the best 20-year-old players in Europe, and possibly playing more at guard than forward, will be a major building block for the 5-foot-11 psychology student.
“This experience will help me improve my game on every level,” says Hnizdilova. “European basketball can give me some unique skills I can bring to my Canadian game, which I'm excited about. It will make me more competitive and mentally tougher.”
Just making it this far has already been a test. While she is one of the taller players on the Blues roster, her height is exceeded by several of her Czech compatriots.
“When the training camp first started, I was put in the position to fight for my post spot with a number of players that were taller or stronger than me. It was a mental battle for me to focus on what I can control and play my best game.”
Hnizdilova’s road to Capilano and now back to Czechia is a winding one. She left home for the United States as a teenager to play high school ball in Wisconsin. She committed to the Blues in 2023 and after two strong seasons with the Blues, she’s ready for Europe’s best.
It reflects well on the CapU women’s hoops program that the growth in her basketball acumen the last two seasons, where she has already put herself fourth in Blues all-time history in rebounds and 13th in points, has positioned her among the best in her peer group. She’s compiled 20 double-doubles with Capilano, is a two-time PACWEST All-Star, the 2024 conference Rookie of the Year and is a two-time CCAA Academic All-Canadian.
Now she can add to her hoops resume that she’s wearing national team colours.
“It means a lot; I’m so grateful for this experience,” she says. “Being able to represent my country is just not something you get to do every day, so I'm super excited.”
Blues fans and followers should be too. Hnizdilova and her teammates have a legitimate shot to get to the 2026 CCAA National Championship tournament because the PACWEST has two berths for the coming season.
It’s no secret the Blues have unfinished business on the court after collecting four provincial medals, but no gold, in the last six seasons. With a returning veteran in Hnizdilova bringing international experience and no shortage of accomplished teammates joining her in the CapU lineup, they have plenty of ammunition to take a run in 2025-26.
Czechia tips off their tournament against the Netherlands on Saturday, Aug. 2 in a 1 p.m. start local time, 5 a.m. Pacific time.
