Utah Women's Basketball Adds Portugal Native Inês Vieira To 2021-22 Roster

SALT LAKE CITY – Utah women's basketball's foreign pipeline continues to recruit talented prospects from around the world as the Utes add Portugal native Inês Vieira to its 2021-22 signing class, announced today by head coach Lynne Roberts.

"Inês is a fantastic get for our program," Roberts said. "She is lightening quick and has an amazing feel for the game. She is a lefty, a one-man press break and always seems to have a sense of where the ball needs to go. She's not just a facilitator, but can also shoot the three incredibly well and attack the paint and finish. She's different than anyone we have on our roster and we're excited to have her join our Utah family." 

Vieira brings extensive international experience, playing for the Portugal National Team at the U16 Women's European Championships in 2018 and 2019.

The Madeira Island, Portugal, native led Team Portugal to a silver medal finish at the 2019 European Championships, serving as a team captain. She averaged 8.0 points, 3.6 rebounds and 4.6 assists per game in the tournament, scoring a tournament-high 25 points against Ireland, also dropping eight assists against Serbia in the quarterfinals.

The 5-6 guard averaged 4.6 points, 1.3 rebounds and 1.1 assists during the 2018 European Championships, recording 10 points in Portugal's tournament opener against Estonia. She also put together a strong game against Bulgaria in group play, scoring nine points with five assists and three steals.

Vieira's talent was obvious from a young age as she moved to Lisbon at just 13 years old to train at the Portuguese Basketball Federation Training Center to start practicing with the U16 Portugal National Team.

She currently plays club basketball for Quinta dos Lombos in the Portugal-Liga Feminina. She began her club career with CAB Madeira.

Her parents, João Pedro Simas Vieira and Isabel Vieira, reside in Portugal with both of her parents serving as P.E. teachers along with coaching basketball and volleyball, respectively. She also has one sister, Margarida, who plays basketball and is studying physical therapy.