The 25-year-old Japanese star has officially been poste

RIO DE JANEIRO -- Leticia Romero isnt alone at the Rio Games, just close to it.The Florida State guard, who is playing for Spain is one of two current college players in the Olympics. The other is UConn guard Kia Nurse, who has been making headlines for Canada. Neither is a stranger to international competition, but this is the first time for both to be on the grand stage. They are flourishing.The college guards have already helped their countries advance to the quarterfinals and will square off Sunday when Spain faces Canada with second place in the group on the line.While youth has dominated at the pool and gymnastics, its rare to see on the basketball court. The U.S., which is trying for a sixth consecutive gold medal, hasnt had a college player on its roster since 1988 when Vicky Bullett and Bridgette Gordon helped the Americans win gold.For me its a dream coming true, Romero told The Associated Press after Spain clinched a spot in the quarterfinals. At 21 years old, I never thought Id be here in the Olympics. Im very lucky to be here to learn from this team. Its amazing how they play and practice every day, thats going to help me next season when I come back to Florida State again and for the future.The two will meet again on the court when Florida State hosts UConn on Nov. 14 to open up the college basketball season.Playing UConn for me is a great thing, said Romero, who is Spains fourth leading scorer despite playing just 13 minutes a game. Im looking forward to that too, but Im here right now and focused on the Olympics.Romero and Nurse said they dont really know each other off the court, but definitely have a healthy respect for one another. They will be in similar situations next year in college, taking on big leadership roles for their teams. They have been soaking in the ways that the veterans on their Olympic teams have been doing it.I try and learn everything I can from them, said Nurse, who is leading Canada with 11.8 points a game. Incredible leaders and teammates. You get to learn and see your weaknesses exposed all the time. Im an upperclassmen already, which is extremely odd to me. I have to step into a leadership role up there and try and take away from these guys how they do it.Romero said she is trying to watch teammate Laia Palau.Im amazed by how she manages everything, Romero said. How she organizes the team, does everything for the team, makes everyone close to each other. For me coming to Florida State, I want to be that kind of player that can bring everyone together and make everyone a better player.The pair have had a great time away from the court too. They both got to participate in the opening ceremonies, an experience neither will forget.It was crazy, Romero said. I cant even describe it. To be there, just something I always watched on TV and its a dream. I was telling (Florida State coach) Sue Semrau it was like a one-minute walk, that felt like 5 seconds. Watching the people the crowd, my teammates, everybody. All the teams it was overwhelming.Semrau flew down to Rio to watch her point guard play.She is playing with the level of confidence that I havent seen before, Semrau said in a text to the AP. Im excited to see her continue her growth at Florida State and beyond.Romero also got to fulfill another lifelong dream while waiting to enter the stadium, a photo with tennis great Rafael Nadal. This coming a few days after she got a chance to meet Felipe VI the King of Spain.Its a big deal both. But I would rather take a picture with Nadal, she said laughing. Hes one of my heroes, but the King of Spain is a big deal too.Yes, its good to be an Olympian.---Online:AP Summer Games website: http://summergames.ap.org/---Follow Doug on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/dougfeinberg Ray Neal Jersey Retro . Haas said he "felt a lot of pain" in his right shoulder when he slammed his racket to the ground in frustration after losing his serve at 3-3 in the first set. Alfonso Boone Jersey Retro . -- Cam Newton pranced into the end zone, placed his hands over his chest and did his familiar Superman pose. https://www.cheapjerseyslines.com/walt-merrill-jersey-retro/ . -- Teemu Selanne scored the first goal of his 22nd NHL season, and the Anaheim Ducks extended the best start in franchise history with their fifth straight victory, 3-2 over the Calgary Flames on Wednesday night. Joe Francis Jersey Retro . The team also announced Tuesday that the Braves will wear a commemorative patch on the right sleeve during the season. The patch, shaped like home plate, carries the number 715, Aarons autograph and a "40th Anniversary" banner. Randy Coffield Jersey Retro . The 25-year-old Japanese star has officially been posted by his club team, the Rakuten Golden Eagles. BYU (8-4, Independent) vs. Wyoming (8-5, Mountain West), 9 p.m. ESTLine: BYU by 7 +Series Record: BYU leads 44-30-3.WHATS AT STAKEA renewal of a rivalry that lasted from 1922 until 2010, most recently in the Western Athletic Conference and the Mountain West Conference. The Cougars left the Mountain West Conference to go independent.KEY MATCHUPBYU quarterback Tanner Mangum against the Wyoming defense. Mangum will start after Taysom Hill strained his left elbow Nov. 26 against Utah State. Mangum played in four games this year, completing 14 of 18 passes for 145 yards and two touchdowns.PLAYERS TO WATCHBYU: RB Jamaal Williams has rushed for a team-leading 1,165 yards and 11 touchdowns.Wyoming: RB Brian Hill is the Cowboys career rushing leader, and he broke his single-season school record with 1,767 yards and 21 touchdowns.FACTS & FIGURESThis is BBYUs 12th straight bowl and second appearance in the Poinsettia Bowl.ddddddddddddTheyve lost three straight and are 13-20-1 in bowls. ... Cougars have played in San Diegos other bowl, the Holiday, 11 times. ... This is Wyomings first bowl appearance since 2011, and the Cowboys have a 6-7 record in the postseason. ... In the last meeting between the teams, BYU won 25-20 in 2010, breaking up a fourth-down pass with 27 seconds left after Wyoming had driven to the Cougars 26. ... The Cowboys beat two Top 25 opponents this season, Boise State and San Diego State. The Cowboys lost to SDSU, then unranked, in the MWC championship game.---More AP college football: http://collegefootball.ap.org and http://twitter.com/AP-Top25 ' ' '