Filippa Goula is a graduate student from Ano Liosia, Greece, playing her first year on the Oakland University women’s basketball team. Even though the season isn’t over, she has spared no time in showing her worth and making her mark.
Goula averages 7.4 points per game, holds an 80.8 free-throw percentage and a 26.8 three-point percentage. She has seen the court in 19 games this season and started 17 of them. One of her most recent feats came during the Golden Grizzlies’ first blacktop Horizon League win over Milwaukee, where she scored 17 monumental points.
“After my eye injury and all the work I’ve put in, it felt good to finally see it pay off. Getting that first home court Horizon League win made it even more special,” Goula said.
Before that home court win, the Golden Grizzlies struggled through a three-game losing streak, but Goula helped motivate the team with positive energy, staying vocal and learning from the losses to move forward. She stays motivated by growth, competition and the desire to be better than the day before.
“I also want to show up for my teammates. Knowing people are counting on me pushes me every day,” Goula said.
Goula is a player who doesn’t let anything get to her in a game. From pressure to mistakes, she stays focused, keeps learning and moves forward. She knows mistakes happen and remains persistent that they can’t affect the next play.
“Pressure is part of the game, so I trust my preparation and focus on doing my job for the team,” Goula said.
This mentality comes from being a player with experience in two countries. She has grown immensely as a player, but the biggest difference she sees is how the game in the U.S. feels slower and less physical compared to Greece.
Before her basketball career began, she would play with her family for fun and found herself not liking the sport.
“I didn’t even know how to dribble,” Goula said.
But after watching her sister play, she became fascinated with basketball, trying to learn new things herself until a coach asked her to join — and everything took off from there. She remains inspired by her family, despite being thousands of miles away.
“Their support and sacrifices motivate me every day, and they push me to be better both on and off the court,” Goula said.
Despite joining a new team and program, Goula has used her energy, experience, determination and natural ability to make her mark on the Golden Grizzlies as they finish their season with 11 games left before the start of the Horizon League tournament.
Goula begins each game with a reminder of where she comes from by listening to “Mi Stamatas” by Greek artist Bloody Hawk. She also continues her tradition of topping off her games with Olive Garden Alfredo pasta and sometimes steak with a salad.
With every game, Goula adds another layer to her basketball story — a story built on resilience, gratitude and a quiet confidence that travels with her from Greece to Rochester.