Life as a Pro
CORAL GABLES, Fla. – Ten months ago, Emese Hof finished her career
as a Miami Hurricane.
But what came next was one of the biggest events of her life: signing a contract to
play professional basketball in Europe. Following a stellar four-year career at the
University of Miami, Hof took her talents back overseas to begin her professional
career with Perfumerias Avenida in Salamanca, Spain.
A multi-year member of the Netherlands national team, Hof was no stranger to playing
international basketball.
“I worked out a lot to get in shape before the season,” Hof said. “I had
a camp with the national team and then played some games in Italy.
Shortly after the Italy trip, I left for Spain.”
Among those games in Italy was a meeting with her alma mater, which took
place on Aug. 10, 2019, in Rome. Miami escaped with the narrow 61-59
win.
Following the trip to Italy, Hof departed for Spain to get settled in
Salamanca ahead of her first professional season. She quickly found a
routine in the early months of the season.
“During a typical day, we usually practice in the morning,” Hof said.
“After practice, I’ll get lunch and have a coffee at the Plaza Mayor.
Then I take a nap and head to practice in the evening.”
One of the hardest-working Canes to play for head coach Katie Meier, Hof
took her work ethic overseas to Spain, something that quickly translated
to a starting position on Perfumerias Avenida. The forward started 14 of
22 Spanish League games with the team, averaging 8.5 points and 5.4
rebounds per contest.
As she did during her time at Miami, Hof continues to dominate the paint
and the glass, ranking first on the team in total blocks (13) and second
on the team in total rebounds (119). However, the move to professional
ball did not come without its adjustments.
“The biggest change between playing at the collegiate level versus the professional level is that it really is your job to play basketball,” Hof said. “So, you have less distractions and all around it is a bit more business-like.”
Perfumerias Avenida has handled its business so far this season, boasting a 19-3
overall record in Spanish League play. After dropping back-to-back games in early
November, the team embarked on an 11-game winning streak over the next two months.
During February, Hof and her team geared up for the Copa de la Reina de Baloncesto,
or the Queen’s Cup of Basketball, as it is known in English. The oldest tournament
in Spain, the Cup was first awarded in 1943, but did not become an annual tournament
until 1978.
The Cup is played by the top eight teams of the Spanish Women’s League in the middle
of the season. Carrying momentum into the tournament, Perfumerias Avenida powered
its way through the bracket to take home its fourth straight Queen’s Cup and ninth
since 2005.
While winning the Queen’s Cup in Salamanca was definitely among the highlights of the
season for Hof so far, it is really the people that have made the experience so
memorable.
“I’ve really enjoyed playing on a team with so many achieved veterans like Silvia
Dominguez, Tiffany Hayes and Jewell Loyd,” Hof said. “It’s such a great environment
in which to grow.”
Of course, it is also nice to have a fellow Cane nearby, as recent
graduate Laura Cornelius plays for Club Deportivo Zamarat. Having a
familiar face just an hour away makes the transition to a new country
just a bit easier.
The friendship between Hof and Cornelius predates their time at Miami as
the duo attended the same high school in the Netherlands, Caland Lyceum,
in addition to playing for the same club team, CTO Amsterdam. Hof holds
career records for blocks and rebounds at CTO, while Cornelius sits atop
the record books for points, assists and steals.
The pair represented the Netherlands at numerous FIBA events from 2011 to 2015, with
the highlight coming at the FIBA U20 European Championship in 2015 when Hof and
Cornelius were part of the first Dutch team to win a top-flight medal at a European
Championship.
Upon conclusion of Spanish league play, Hof will rejoin the Dutch national team to
workout throughout the summer.
Unfortunately, like other teams around the globe, Perfumerias Avenida’s season is on
hold due to the COVID-19 outbreak. The team was slated to play four more Spanish
League games and two more EuroCup games in 2020.
Although the season is in limbo, that does not mean that the work stops for Hof.
“With the season suspended, I’m working out in our garden, as we have some bands, a
ball and a kettlebell,” Hof said. “We have to get creative, but I like it. You can
dribble anywhere, so sometimes I go to the park, as well.”
While the Netherlands native continues to grow her game from UM, she reflects on how
valuable her time playing for the Canes was. From the great facilities to a
supportive staff that was always willing to provide an extra workout or strength
session, Hof was very appreciative of her time at Miami.
And the Miami community returned the appreciation during her four years as a Cane.
Hof ended her UM career on an exceptionally high note, earning a spot on the All-ACC
First Team and the ACC All-Defensive Team, in addition to being tabbed the 2019 ACC
Most Improved Player.
She is the Miami all-time leader in career field goal percentage (.549), ranks second
in program history in career blocks (182) and is a member of the 1,000-point club.
Off the court, Hof took her school work seriously, earning on a spot on the ACC
All-Academic Team four straight years.
With fond memories of playing for the Canes, Hof has a few words of wisdom for the
rising seniors.
“Enjoy it! Once the season starts, you’ll blink twice and it’s over. Trust that, whatever you want to do after college, you’ll be able to because Miami prepared you for it.”
