Iris Comesaña-Varela

Bio

Motivated by her family and driven by the desire “to make myself and my family proud,” Iris Comesaña-Varela sees basketball as both a passion and a bridge between cultures—a sport that has carried her across the world in pursuit of growth.

Her journey began in Lugo, Spain, where she developed her game with Club Ensino, helping her team to a sixth-place finish at the Spanish National Championship and multiple regional titles while representing Galicia in national competitions. Known for her precision and vision on the court, Iris has always been a forward who plays with intelligence as much as skill. Wearing No. 33, a nod to the “unlucky” 13 she used back home, she says the number represents her drive to “prove everyone wrong.” Her personal motto—“Malo será,” or “It’ll be fine” in Galician—captures her calm approach to pressure and her belief that hard work will always find a way.

Off the court, Iris’s artistic side shines just as brightly. Majoring in Architectural Studies, she dreams of designing stages for world-class musicians while one day earning a doctorate and teaching at a university. She finds inspiration in Antoni Gaudí, the legendary architect behind Barcelona’s Sagrada Família, whose creativity and vision mirror her own ambitions. Her hobbies—playing guitar, drawing, and spending time in the gym—reflect her blend of imagination and discipline.

Her favorites tell a story of balance and curiosity: pasta for comfort food, ice cream with Oreos for late nights, and “Vienna” by Billy Joel as her favorite song. She admires fellow Spaniard Santi Aldama, enjoys How I Met Your Mother, and dreams of attending an Olympic basketball final someday. She describes herself as someone who “looks serious at first but is actually easy-going,” and jokes that her superstition—knocking twice on wood whenever she hears about injuries—has become second nature.

Iris chose Vincennes University for its strong facilities, supportive professors, and welcoming coaches, finding in it a home away from home. She’s learned, she says, “it’s okay to ask friends for support—especially with your family far away.”

Coach Johnson on Iris...

The crafty Spanish forward and national team veteran is a high-IQ player with deep shooting range and the versatility to fill multiple roles on the floor.