LONDON, Ont. - Recently graduated point guard Amanda Anderson of Dover Centre, Ont., has signed a professional basketball contract to suit up for the TSVE Bielefeld Dolphins in Germany.

Anderson, the Western Mustangs women's basketball team's all-time leading career scorer, signed the contract with the Division 2 Bundesliga squad and will leave for Germany in August to begin training with the team.

"I'm just so happy that I've been given this opportunity to continue playing basketball," Anderson said. "This is something I've always dreamed of doing after school, and to see that come true is very exciting."
"I'm very excited to get over there and start playing basketball again, I'm sure it'll be a big change from Western but whatever my role is on the team I'll be happy to do that for them." 

The Dolphins are based in the northern region of the 10-team league, which begins on the Sept. 24-25 weekend. 

"Amanda getting an opportunity to continue playing basketball professionally is very gratifying. After watching her work as hard as she did during her career, seeing her attain one of her longtime dreams makes us proud," said Mustangs head coach Stephan Barrie. "For our program, it is the second year in a row for a player to get a pro contract after Bess last summer. I will enjoy following their progress as their seasons unfold."

Anderson said she is the only import (non-German) player on her team, although there are some Americans and a few other Canadians in the league. 

"The coach informed me we'll be playing a fast, up-tempo game which was nice to hear, as that was what we did at Western so I'm used to that style of play," Anderson said. |"I know it'll be hard to make the friends like I have here at Western, because a team full of girls and parents like that are hard to come by.  But I'm looking forward to meeting the new girls and getting to know them."

The Dolphins team web site is www.tsve-dolphins.de/.