Arizona’s Mireia Jurado follows fellow Spaniard’s path to playing time, production

In some ways, Mireia Jurado’s “How did you end up at Arizona?” story is similar to everyone else’s. She had a phone conversation with Becky Burke, and that was that: Jurado wanted to become a Wildcat.

But this particular sales pitch might have been easier than some others.

Jurado is from Barcelona, Spain. One of the players she models her game after is fellow Spaniard Helena Pueyo, who played for Arizona from 2019-24 and twice was named to the Pac-12 All-Defensive Team.

“When she was here, I looked at all the games,” Jurado said earlier this year. “I was like, ‘Oh my gosh, I want to go to Arizona.’ ”

After initially signing with SMU — more on that in a bit — Jurado got her wish. Not only is she playing for the same school as Pueyo, Jurado is playing like Pueyo on the court.

Jurado has been among the steadiest players for the 2025-26 Wildcats, who continue nonconference play against New Mexico on Sunday. Jurado, a 6-foot guard, leads Arizona in minutes (33.6) and rebounds (5.4) per game. She’s second on the team in field-goal percentage (60.6%). Not bad for a true freshman.

“She's got tremendous size and physicality for a guard,” Burke said. “We're trying to get 6-foot, 6-1 on the perimeter; that's where we're headed in the future. So I loved her frame. I loved her strength. I loved that she's a lefty. I loved her ability to shoot the basketball.

“Since we've gotten her here, I just love the fact that she's an incredible human being. She's a great teammate. And she's so coachable.”

During one of Arizona’s exhibition games, Burke was getting on her players for their off-the-ball defense. They weren’t extending their arms like they were supposed to.

“Since that moment,” Burke said, “she has not put her arms down.”

Jurado isn’t on the same level as Pueyo as a defender. Pueyo holds the UA record for career steals with 312, including a program-record 110 as a fifth-year senior in 2023-24.

But Jurado — whom her coach and teammates call “MJ” — has a similar feel for the game and a selfless nature on the floor. The latter is mostly a positive trait. But if there’s one thing Burke would like to see more of from Jurado, it’s shot attempts.

Jurado would rank among the leaders in the Big 12 in field-goal percentage — if she had enough field goals to qualify. She’s averaging just 4.7 shot attempts per game.

“I want her to take more shots,” Burke said. “I want her to be more aggressive offensively. I've continued to work with her on that. It's just getting her more confident.

“She's a freshman, and she's selfless. She doesn't want to do things when her teammates are open. She's just ... the ultimate team player. But we need her to score more.”

Does that sound familiar? Burke’s predecessor, Adia Barnes, often would say the same about Pueyo, who at times was too deferential on offense.

Barnes valued Pueyo’s all-around game, though, and might have coached Jurado if things had played out differently.

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Jurado signed with SMU in November 2024 to play for Toyelle Wilson. Wilson was fired on March 30, 2025. Five days later, Barnes became the Mustangs’ coach.

“I went there because of the coach,” Jurado said, referring to Wilson. “But then, just, things happen. And then I put myself in the transfer (portal).”

It worked out well in the end. Jurado landed at Arizona, where should could follow Pueyo’s path. And Burke is thrilled to have a young player she can rely on.

“I know what I'm getting out of MJ every single day. She's gonna be right here,” Burke said, placing her hand at eye level. “She's never too high, never too low. We’re gonna have some games where she's up here (raises hand above her head). But I know where that line is and what I'm getting out of her for 40 minutes every single night, which is such a breath of fresh air.”

Big 12 preview

Burke didn’t like the way her team responded to Southern University’s size, quickness and physicality on Wednesday night, when Arizona (6-1) suffered its first loss of the season.

The Wildcats committed a season-high 24 turnovers, which led to 25 points for the Jaguars.

If there was an upside to that reality check, it gave the Cats a glimpse of what’s to come in conference play. Arizona’s Big 12 opener is Dec. 22 vs. Utah.

“That team is the closest thing we have seen to even a bad Big 12 team,” Burke said. “I say that respectfully to them. I’m sure they’d do a great job in the Big 12 and compete. I’m just saying, that is the closest thing we’ve seen to the teams we’re going to see in less than a month. That’s very alarming. ...

“We’re gonna get this at some point. Glad we’re getting it now. We’re gonna need to fix this before Sunday because it’s gonna be a very similar situation.”

Entering Friday's games, Arizona sat at No. 183 in the NET rankings. New Mexico (6-3) was No. 134.

The two have had one common opponent, NAU. The Wildcats defeated the Lumberjacks 87-76. The Lobos beat them 77-59.

New Mexico is 0-3 against Big 12 competition, but lost by just three points to Cincinnati at the Florida Gulf Classic in Naples on Nov. 29.

Rim shots

– UA forward Nora Francois equaled or set season highs in points (eight), rebounds (11) and assists (four) in 18 minutes off the bench vs. Southern. She also had a team-best plus-minus rating of plus-9.

– Point guard Noelani Cornfield had a career-high nine turnovers. She also had six assists and remained atop the Big 12 in assists per game (8.1) entering Friday night’s action. She ranked third nationally in that category.

– New Mexico has six internationals on its roster, with players hailing from Angola, Mozambique, Portugal (two), Spain and Uganda.