GREENSBORO, N.C. - UNC Greensboro alumna Gini Grimsley has signed a contract to play professional basketball in Germany, UNCG coach Lynne Agee announced Wednesday.
Grimsley, who led the Spartans in scoring and rebounding last season with 10.8 points per game and 6.1 rebounds per game, will suit up for Herner Turn Club of the Damon Basketball Bundesligen (DBBL) in Herne, Germany.
The Fairmont, N.C., forward signed Tuesday and will depart for Germany on Friday. Herner TC's first contest is scheduled for Sept. 26.
"I'm really excited about playing for the German team, and I think it's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity," Grimsley said. "Not many people really get to go overseas and play professional basketball, and that's a lot of people's lifetime goal or dream. I feel like I've lived up to one of the goals I set for myself. I want to thank Coach Agee because she kind of got me started in this whole process of finding a team and making my dream come true."
Grimsley finished her collegiate career fifth on UNCG's 3-pointers list with 115 and third in blocked shots with 81, becoming the only player in school history to appear in even the top 10 in both lists, let alone the top five. She also finished her career second in career games played with 120 and was a three-time Academic All-Southern Conference selection.
Grimsley's senior season was her best, as she posted career highs in single-game points (24), rebounds (10), field goals made (10) and steals (three) and matched career bests in single-game blocked shots (three) and assists (three). Her scoring and rebounding averages were also career highs.
"We're thrilled to death to make the announcement that Gini Grimsley has signed a contract to play in Germany," Agee said. "It is obviously an exciting event for her as a player and a good statement for our program to place someone overseas. She is in the process of preparing to leave and embark on that new basketball adventure. We're very pleased with that and very proud of Gini."
Grimsley is the second UNCG player in recent years to sign an overseas contract. Jacinda Lambert, a 2004 graduate, played professionally in Luxembourg and England.
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