NIAGARA UNIV. — Former Niagara women’s basketball center Sam Lapszynski (’16) has signed with SG Weiterstadt of the Damen Basketball Bundesliga, the premier German women’s basketball league, in Hesse, Germany.
“I am very fortunate for all that the game of basketball has brought me and I am thrilled that its continuing generosity is bringing me to Germany to play at the professional level,” said Lapszynski. “I would like to thank my family, Niagara University, my teammates and coaches for all they have done to help me get to this point in my career; I would not have been able to do this without them.”
Lapszynski, a native of Jefferson Township, N.J., was a member of the Purple Eagles squad from 2012-16, playing her first three seasons under Kendra Faustin and her final season under Jada Pierce.
“Sam has worked really hard to accomplish her dream of playing professional basketball and this is just the beginning,” said Pierce. “We are so proud of her and we know that she will do very well over in Germany. Sam represents everything our program stands for and we know she will continue it overseas. We wish her much success and look forward to following her career.”
Lapszynski thrived under Pierce, producing an outstanding senior season. She played in all 31 games and finished the season averaging 11.7 points per game, 8.6 rebounds per game and 1.7 blocks per game. Her .478 field goal percentage was third in the MAAC and she was fourth in the MAAC in blocks with 54.
Lapszynski set career highs in points, rebounds and blocks during her final season and earned multiple entries in the Niagara women’s basketball record book. Her 19 rebounds at Quinnipiac on Feb. 7, 2016 are tied for the most rebounds in a single game, and her five blocks at Monmouth on Dec. 6, 2015 are tied for fifth-most blocks in a single game. Lapszynski scored a career-high 27 points at Detroit on Nov. 28, 2015.
Lapszynski’s impressive season earned her All-MAAC Second Team honors and she was one of only 20 student-athlete recipients of the 14th Annual Division I-AAA Athletic Directors Association Scholar Athlete Teams.
Lapszynski, a three-time member of the MAAC All-Academic Team, graduated with a bachelor’s degree in education in May 2016.
from PurpleEagles.com via IFTTT
