Beach Reads: Good Things Come in Threes

LONG BEACH, Calif. -- Long Beach State's talent pool extends far beyond U.S. borders, with international recruits being a key source of success across athletics. Sophomore forward Judit Oliva Fernandez's background in three-on-three basketball at the international level has shaped a versatile skill set that adds a unique dimension to the Beach as the 2025-26 campaign kicks off.

Hailing from El Prat de Llobregat, Spain, Oliva Fernandez developed her game with Barca while also competing at the youth national level, gaining extensive experience in 3x3 basketball.

She represented Spain in the 2022 FIBA U17 3x3 competition, where she helped her team finish second while averaging 17.2 points per game. She continued to shine at the U18 level, averaging 18.1 points, and participated in three consecutive Spanish National Team training camps at the U16, U17 and U18 levels.

Along with her international experience, Oliva Fernandez helped Barca reach the Spanish Championship, averaging 11 points and 7.3 rebounds per game. She capped off her youth career by winning a silver medal in the Spanish Club Championship at U18 and capturing gold in the 2022 Catalonian Championship.

"For me, playing three-on-three is a boost of confidence, because it's basketball too, but quicker. You have the ball all the time, and you need to do something constantly in all 10 minutes," Oliva Fernandez said.

Though 3x3 and five-on-five share significant overlap, the three-on-three game differs with its half-court setup and shorter shot clock, creating a faster pace of play. Oliva Fernandez has already used that to her advantage in her transition to NCAA basketball, even comparing the slower pace of the full game to "dreaming" on the court.

"It's like your actions are so quick that you don't even think about it, it's just natural," Oliva Fernandez said. "You're just moving constantly when you're on the court, because there are only three people, so we have to help each other all the time. All of our actions contribute to the game and score."

In her first year with the Beach, Oliva Fernandez checked into 25 games and nearly posted a double-double against Sacramento State, recording nine points and nine rebounds in a 69-68 victory.

This season, both she and third-year head coach Amy Wright expect her to take on an expanded role.

"She has size, she can play inside-out, I think she's gotten a lot more comfortable from year one to year two in terms of just playing our style and our system," Wright said. "She has a high IQ when it comes to basketball, so it's been really fun to watch her be comfortable within what we're doing. That's what I'm looking forward to."

Wright also noted how Oliva Fernandez's success in three-on-three competition has translated and will continue to open doors for her on the court.

"Whether it's handoffs or ball screens or dribble handoffs or learning to read with three people on the court, you know, even when you watch the pros these days, there's three or two people in action. Everybody else is standing out of the way," Wright said.

With the correlation from amateur to pro-level style, and the fast-paced nature that Wright strives for on the floor, Oliva Fernandez's skill set is a natural fit entering her second year in the system. Long Beach State looks to build off a strong 2024-25 season, where the Beach went 12-8 in Big West play and 16-14 overall.

Off the floor, she's as important as anyone in building team chemistry and culture, especially in helping integrate new players. Wright praised her welcoming presence.

"She's always happy to be here. She loves basketball, which is really key. Just enjoying the game, because it is work. There are a lot of expectations that come with being a college athlete, and she's embraced them. She looks forward to every day, she assists with every day," Wright said.

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Judit Oliva Fernandez

Long Beach State University Athletics