By John "Woods" Armwood III
Lara Somfai, a towering forward hailing from Australia, is a name you’ll want to remember. Known for her relentless scoring ability and impressive height, Somfai has taken significant strides in basketball, and she’s now on her way to Stanford University, where she will continue to elevate her game and make a lasting impact on the court. The five-star recruit has been a force to be reckoned with in basketball, and as she prepares to wear the Cardinal colors, Lara is determined to help Stanford re-establish dominance in the post. In this exclusive interview with Sh3GotGame, Lara shares her journey, challenges, and aspirations for her future.
Lara’s passion for basketball runs deep, and she believes the game has shaped who she is today. "Basketball has changed my life. I wouldn’t be here in America if it weren’t for basketball. It’s made me who I am, and I don’t know what I’d be doing without it," she says, looking back on her journey.
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"When I first moved out of home, that was my moment to fend for myself," Lara says with a smile. "At a young age, I couldn’t rely on anyone else. I had to figure it out on my own."
When asked where she was born and raised, Lara laughs, clearly having a sense of humor about her upbringing. "I grew up in Australia," she begins, adding, "I was always involved in sports, not just basketball. My parents made sure I was active from a young age."
Her parents’ influence on her athletic journey was undeniable. "I didn’t really have a choice—my parents wanted me to be active," she admits. Lara’s sports journey started with gymnastics and swimming, but her true passion sparked when she started shooting hoops in the backyard. "I just started playing basketball, and the ball went in. I figured, hey, I might be good at this."
While Lara doesn’t model her game after any specific player, she has a long list of athletes she admires. "I love Luka Dončić, Napheesa Collier, Paige Bueckers, and Hailey Van Lith," she shares. "I used to watch Paige and Hailey’s high school highlights when I was younger. I like picking pieces from various players and applying them to my own game."
From that point on, basketball became a significant part of her life. She credits her parents for always supporting her, and Lara set goals with a plan, manifesting success along the way. "I’ve been doing it my whole life," she reflects.
Life Outside of Basketball
When Lara isn’t on the court, she loves to spend her time immersed in other creative pursuits.
"I love to read, and I’m really into art. Painting is something I’m passionate about. I enjoy working with acrylics. I always find myself painting or reading," she shares.
Despite the public perception that athletes are often singularly focused, Lara’s love for creativity offers a refreshing look at her multidimensional personality. Interestingly, Somfai doesn’t see herself as naturally athletic. "I don’t believe I’m naturally athletic. My parents weren’t athletes. I didn’t have any god-given ability," she says humbly. However, she found basketball helped her tap into her creative side, a trait that would soon separate her from other players.
"I think it was when I made my first national team that I started to believe in myself," she reflects. "I set goals for myself every year, and I use vision boards to track my progress." For Lara, it wasn’t about being the most naturally gifted—it was about working hard and having the mindset to improve constantly.
Cultural Differences in Basketball
Having played at a high level both in the U.S. and overseas, Lara has noticed some significant differences in her style of play. "In America, the girls are a lot more creative. Basketball culture here is huge," she says, adding that players are generally more athletic and talented. "It’s a diverse range of players, and the individualistic style is more pronounced, with a lot of isolation and pick-and-roll plays."
Meanwhile, in Europe, "the style is more structured and fundamental," she explains. "The focus is on plays, sets, and actions. I think Europe focuses more on teamwork."
Lara quickly points out a common misconception: "People think overseas players are weak, but that’s not true. We’re tough, and the competition is tough. "American basketball may be faster, but overseas, it’s still competitive, and we work hard to stay at that level."
The Deciding Factor for Stanford
When it comes to her college commitment, Lara didn’t take the decision lightly. "I always wanted to play in college," she says. "For me, school was always important, and I wanted a degree. But I also wanted to play in America because they have the best basketball in the world."
Lara was considering several top programs, including UConn and Duke, but Stanford stood out for several reasons. "I visited Stanford last, and I was stuck there for a few days due to a hurricane in Florida. I went to the library and saw all the books, and it reminded me of my time in Hungary with my grandma. It felt like home," she recalls. "That was the moment I knew I wanted to commit to Stanford."
As a highly recruited athlete, Lara faces high expectations. But rather than getting caught up in the pressure, she keeps a grounded perspective. "I use gratitude a lot. Every night, I write down what I’m thankful for," she explains. "People may say things about me, good or bad, but it doesn’t matter as long as I’m doing what I love."
As for her legacy, Lara hopes to inspire others, particularly those who don’t come from athletic families or privileged backgrounds. "I want to inspire people to be themselves. If I can be in this position now, I hope it shows others they can do it too," she says. "I want to be known as a tough player and a strong-minded individual."
Conclusion
Somfai is an inspiring athlete with an unwavering determination to succeed. From her humble beginnings in Australia to becoming a McDonald’s All-American to her commitment at Stanford. Lara has shown that hard work, creativity, and persistence can lead to greatness. As for her legacy, Lara hopes to inspire others, particularly those who don’t come from athletic families or privileged backgrounds. "I want to inspire people to be themselves. If I can be in this position now, I hope it shows others they can do it too," she says. "I want to be known as a tough player and a strong-minded individual."
Finally, Lara leaves us with a piece of advice for younger athletes who may look up to her. "Get out of your comfort zone," she encourages. "When you push yourself and do difficult things, you find out who you are. Be brave, and believe in yourself.
When facing tough times, Lara keeps a powerful mantra in mind: "You will never miss out on what’s meant for you." She explains, "Whatever is meant for me will come to me."
As she continues her journey, both on and off the court, we can’t wait to see where her talent and mindset take her. Best of luck, Lara—we’re cheering for you every step of the way!