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Iowa's March Madness hero Alvaro Folgueiras honors dad with every 3
Folgueiras' game-winning shot against No. 1 Florida led to an emotional reunion with his mom, who he hasn't seen since August.
Mar. 26, 2026 at 10:22pm
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Alvaro Folgueiras, a first-year transfer from Robert Morris, hit the game-winning 3-pointer to upset No. 1 seed Florida in the second round of the NCAA Tournament. After the game, Folgueiras shared an emotional embrace with his mother, who he hadn't seen since August. Folgueiras points to the sky after every 3-pointer he makes to honor his father, who passed away when Folgueiras was 9 years old.
Why it matters
Folgueiras' heartfelt moment with his mom after the biggest shot of his life encapsulates the spirit of March Madness. His story of overcoming adversity and honoring his late father resonates with fans and highlights the human element behind the tournament's thrilling upsets.
The details
Folgueiras, a 6-foot-10 wing, has played a crucial role off the bench for Iowa in the NCAA Tournament, scoring 14 points combined in the Hawkeyes' wins over No. 8 Clemson and Florida. The first-year transfer from Spain had scored fewer than 10 points in each of his final five games before the tournament, but stepped up when it mattered most.
- Folgueiras hit the game-winning 3-pointer against Florida in the final seconds of the second-round game.
- Folgueiras hadn't seen his mom since August, and they shared an emotional embrace after the game.
The players
Alvaro Folgueiras
A first-year transfer from Robert Morris who has played a key role off the bench for Iowa in the NCAA Tournament, including hitting the game-winning 3-pointer against No. 1 seed Florida.
Folgueiras' mom
Folgueiras' mother, who he hadn't seen since August, was in attendance for the game and shared an emotional embrace with her son after his game-winning shot.
What they’re saying
“Well, we didn't say much. She told me 'I love you' 100 times. I said 'I love you' 100 times back. It's super special having my mom here. She's everything for me. Where the world would be without the moms. She's super tough. She's been through a lot of things in life.”
— Alvaro Folgueiras
“Sometimes when I struggle through basketball, and basketball is life, I think of my mom as an example of resilience, and that really inspires me and gives me confidence. Because she's not just a fighter, she's a super special person. I'm so lucky to have her as a mom.”
— Alvaro Folgueiras
What’s next
Folgueiras and the Iowa Hawkeyes will face their next opponent in the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament.
The takeaway
Folgueiras' emotional reunion with his mother and his tribute to his late father after hitting the biggest shot of his career encapsulate the human stories that make March Madness so captivating. His resilience and dedication to honoring his family's sacrifices are an inspiration to fans.
