#21 Despoina Baltzi
Year:Â Freshman
Height:Â 5-8
Position:Â Point Guard
Hometown:Â Rhodes, Greece
High School:Â Fryganiotis Schools
Major:Â Undeclared
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Despoina Baltzi comes to UC Irvine from Rhodes, Greece. She was part of the national team that competed at the 2025 FIBA U18 Women's EuroBasket and the 2023 FIBA U16 Women's European Championship. Baltzi also won the 2023 U16 Thessaloniki championship with her club team Aris. They went on to claim runner-up honors at the U16 National Championship.
When and how did you get started playing basketball?
I started playing basketball when I was five. My older brother was already playing so I was in the gym all the time.
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Did you play any other sports?
I did track & field when I was in elementary school. I chose basketball because in track & field I didn't have the same inspiration since I was basically by myself. I chose basketball and basketball chose me.
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What has been your favorite basketball memory so far?
I would have to say with my national team in the U16 European Championship, our goal was to stay in the first category and we managed to do that in our last game. Then also with my club Aris last year, I hit a buzzer beater to tie the game, then we won in overtime to go to the finals.
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Where did you grow up and what would you say is the best thing about your hometown?
I grew up in Rhodes, it's an island in Southern Greece. I would have to say the best thing there is it's a very close community. We know each other from the same school and playing together on the same teams. After I moved to a bigger city for the last three years, I saw how important that was for me. Then, obviously the beaches and sunny weather.
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What do you enjoy doing when you have some down time?
I like spending time with friends, simple things like getting coffee or shopping. I also like watching movies or series.
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Why UC Irvine?
It was a combination of how good the school is academically, the competitive basketball program, and the location. The weather here is pretty similar to Greece so I thought it would make my transition much easier. I'm a person who likes the sun and the beaches so when UCI made me an offer, I said yes, that's where I'm going.
