CDTN's WebsiteTORRES NOVAS, Portugal - Former HBU women's basketball player,
Shanice Steenholdt, has signed a contract to play professional basketball abroad for Clube Desportivo Torres Novas of Portugal's Liga Feminina League.
"Being able to continue my basketball career means the world to me," said Steenholdt. "I have so much passion and love for this sport and I was not ready to give it up. I am blessed and extremely thankful for all of the support I have from all of my family, coaches, and friends. I am excited to get back on the court and make everyone proud! Portugal felt like a great fit for me and I am anxious to get there and start playing!"
"I'm thrilled for Shanice that she is getting the opportunity to continue playing," said HBU head coach
Donna Finnie. "It's been a dream of hers to play professional basketball, and despite the setback she had this year, she's proven if you really want something and work hard every day, then you can achieve your dreams.
Â
"Shanice is going to transition well to the European game," Finnie continued. "Torres Novas is getting not only a great player but a great person. Shanice represented HBU so well on and off the floor and we are excited to watch her professional career."
The Roswell, N.M., native, rewrote the history books during her time at HBU. A four-year letterwinner, starter, and captain for the Huskies, Steenholdt ended her career as the all-time leader in scoring average (18.3), first in rebounding average (10.2), second in blocked shots (158), fourth in scoring (1,686), fifth in field-goal percentage (51.2), and fifth in rebounding (931). All are NCAA Division I-era records and she became the first player in the DI-era to eclipse the 1,000-point plateau.
She broke a 13-year old record as a freshman when she scored 40 points in a win over Huston-Tillotson Jan. 10, 2012, breaking Carey Owens' previous mark of 35 on Dec. 11, 1999. Steenholdt's 22 rebounds against HTU also set a new single-game record, besting the previous mark of 19 set by four different players, the most recent accomplished in March, 2004.
In her career, Steenholdt was named First Team All-Southland Conference in 2013-14, First Team All-Great West Conference in 2012-13, and Honorable Mention All-GWC in 2011-12. She was also a two-time recipient of the SLC Commissioner's Spring Honor Roll for academics.
Last season, CD Torres went 6-16 last season. There were two Americans on last year's squad: Rachel Story, who played at UIC and Louisville, and Jade Barber, who played at Ball State. The Liga Feminina League generally runs from October through March.
Steenholdt is the second women's basketball player to sign a contract and play basketball overseas is as many months, as
Erin McGarrachan signed with the Leicester Riders of the Women's British Basketball League in May.
Â