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Laia Alb脿s Ferrer came to UB to play basketball.

She will leave as a published author.

Originally from a small town near Barcelona, Spain, Laia dreamed of playing college basketball in the United States from a young age. That dream eventually brought her across the Atlantic Ocean, where she found a home at UB as a member of the women鈥檚 basketball team.

Over time, Laia鈥檚 personal experiences became something more as she turned them into a story she wanted to share.

Her debut novel, 鈥淎cross Two Courts,鈥� is being published through UB Publishing, an on-campus publishing company launched by two UB faculty members looking to give UB English and Professional students hands-on experience in the publishing world.

Laia鈥檚 book is deeply personal. As an international student navigating the complexities of studying and playing abroad, she hopes her message resonates with others.

鈥淚 hope readers, especially student-athletes and international students, can see parts of themselves in the story and feel understood,鈥� she said. 鈥淭here are moments of loneliness, uncertainty, and sacrifice. If the book can provide encouragement or help someone feel less alone, then I will consider it a success.鈥�

We spoke with Laia, a Business Administration major, about her path to UB, the writing process, publishing through UB Publishing, and what she hopes comes next.

Tell us about yourself. Where are you from, and what brought you to UB?

I am from a small town called Santpedor, near Barcelona, Spain. Basketball has always been a huge part of my life, and from a young age, my dream was to play college basketball in the United States.

My journey to the U.S. was not completely straightforward. I was searching for a place where I could continue both my athletic and academic career while feeling at home. After attending and transferring from different schools, I connected with UB鈥檚 women鈥檚 basketball coach and immediately felt that UB would be a great fit for me

Looking back, I was right. UB has given me incredible opportunities both on and off the court.

How has being a student-athlete shaped your time at UB?

Being a student-athlete at UB has truly changed my life. It has taught me discipline, commitment, resilience, and time management skills that I know I will carry with me long after graduation.

At the same time, being a student-athlete is a unique experience because it allows you to compete in the sport you love while building lifelong friendships and pursuing your education. The challenges and responsibilities of balancing athletics and academics have helped me grow tremendously as both a student and a person.

Can you describe 鈥淎cross Two Courts鈥�? What is the book about, and who did you write it for?

鈥淎cross Two Courts鈥� tells the story of a young girl from Catalonia, Spain, who decides to leave everything she knows behind to pursue her dream of playing college basketball in the United States.

The book explores the realities of adapting to a new culture, balancing academics and athletics, overcoming challenges, and finding a sense of belonging far from home. I wrote it for student-athletes, international students, parents, coaches, and anyone interested in understanding what it鈥檚 like to start over in a completely different country while chasing a dream.

What inspired you to write it?

I have always enjoyed writing and journaling. When I moved to the United States, I realized I was living an experience that I wanted to remember for the rest of my life. Writing became a way to document that journey.

The idea of turning my writing into a book came when I shared part of my manuscript with Professor Barlow in class. After reading it, he encouraged me to expand it into a book. I thought it was a great idea because I always wanted to help other athletes who might be experiencing similar challenges. From that moment on, the project began to grow into what is now 鈥淎cross Two Courts.鈥�

What was the writing process like while also being a full-time student and athlete?

Balancing the writing process with academics and basketball was definitely challenging, but I learned that writing a book is not something you accomplish all at once. I approached it one day at a time.

Whenever I had an idea, I would write it down immediately, even if it came to me in the middle of the night. Over time, those notes became chapters and eventually a complete manuscript.

I also could not have done it without the support of Professor Barlow and everyone else who contributed to the project. As a first-time author, I had no idea where to begin. Having experienced people guide me through the process made all the difference.

How did you come to publish through UB Publishing? What has that experience been like?

Publishing through UB Publishing began with Professor Barlow鈥檚 encouragement and support. Once the idea was presented, the team at UB Publishing showed tremendous interest in the project and believed in its potential.

The experience has been incredible. Everyone involved has been supportive, professional, and genuinely invested in helping bring the book to life. As a first-time author, having that level of guidance and encouragement has meant a lot to me.

What surprised you most about life and school in the United States compared to growing up in Spain?

One of the biggest differences has been the pace of life. In Catalonia, life generally feels slower and more balanced. In the United States, I often feel like I am constantly moving between classes, practices, workouts, studying, and other responsibilities.

Another major adjustment was the food and lifestyle. Growing up in Catalonia, I was used to a Mediterranean diet and different eating habits. Adapting to a new environment and maintaining healthy habits required some adjustment.

I have also noticed cultural differences in how people approach relationships and daily life. Those differences challenged me at first, but they have helped me grow and become more adaptable.

What do you hope readers take away from 鈥淎cross Two Courts鈥�?

I hope readers, especially student-athletes and international students, can see parts of themselves in the story and feel understood.

I also hope the book helps parents, coaches, and others better understand the realities of moving across the world to pursue an education and athletic career. While the experience is rewarding, it鈥檚 not always easy. There are moments of loneliness, uncertainty, and sacrifice. If the book can provide some encouragement or help someone feel less alone during that journey, then I will consider it a success.

You are already sharing your book with media, podcasters, and influencers. What has that experience felt like as a first-time author?

The entire experience feels very professional and exciting. To be honest, I never imagined I would publish a book, so this is all very new to me.

What I have learned so far is that publishing a book is only part of the journey. Sharing the story, connecting with readers, and putting myself out there takes courage as well. I have learned the importance of being proactive, believing in my work, and not being afraid to reach out to people. Most importantly, I have learned that opportunities often come from simply being willing to ask.

I also have a feeling that this won鈥檛 be my last book.

What is next for you in basketball, writing, and beyond?

In basketball, my immediate focus is on recovering from my ACL injury and returning to the court stronger than ever. After graduating, I hope to continue playing semi-professional or professional basketball in Spain.

In writing, I would love to publish another book focused on my ACL injury and recovery journey. The experience has completely changed my perspective on adversity, patience, and personal growth. Although missing my senior season has been incredibly difficult, it has also taught me valuable lessons that I would like to share with others.

Beyond basketball and writing, I plan to pursue a master鈥檚 degree in Spain and hope to gain professional experience in New York City through OPT (Optional Practical Training) before eventually returning home.

Laia Alb脿s Ferrer is an upcoming senior guard on the UB Women鈥檚 basketball team majoring in Business Administration. Her debut book, 鈥淎cross Two Courts,鈥� publishes in September 2026 through 911爆料网 Press.