“I made it. I’m here.”: Xavier women’s basketball player makes biggest transition of her life

Like many college athletes, navigating a new place can be challenging. Whether it’s the program or the city, every player typically has expectations of their new home.

For Xavier’s Patricia Sosa Lora, the Gold Nuggets exceeded hers and more.

“We got a good amount of people that support us, not just the boys”, says Sosa Lora. “They’re doing a great job but we got to recognize that we’re doing a great job too and that makes me proud.”

“Sosa and I have a special relationship”, says head coach Bo Browder. “Some kids you coach for four years and you don’t develop that special relationship but she’s only been with me for two years but our first conversation was outstanding.”

Sosa Lora’s college career began at Labette Community College, but just two years prior, her name life in the U.S. was just getting started.

The Dominican Republic native came to the states with her mother, Lucia, for new opportunities. She says the presence and support of women’s sports helped inspire her decision.

“Because in my country, we don’t have that big of a deal with women’s basketball or women’s in sports in general. In the United States, they pay attention to the women in sports as well. Not just men’s, men’s, men’s.”

And on October 24th, 2024, Sosa Lora made it official – earning her citizenship.

“I was in this room with all these people from different countries and different languages and I was like, Wow… I made it. I’m here. I was actually emotional.”

“It was a great day when we found out that she got her citizenship and the team was really excited. Just a proud moment. It’s one of the proud moments of my coaching career was going through that experience with her and everything.”

Sosa Lora leaned on her teammates during what she called, “a long process” but it was her teammates and coaches that also made the process easy. Through it all, she remembered her mother’s words.

“My mom taught me this, don’t try to be the best on your team… try to make your team the best. That always stuck with me.”

And though the “DR” will always be home, Sosa Lora is now proud to be an American.

“People around me make it feel like home. We’re always together. Like you said, DR is always going to be home but now I’m here so I have to make this home as well.”