Now she is making a significantly longer trek to continue her basketball career. Eagan has signed with the Asker Basketball Klubb, a professional women's basketball team in Asker, Norway. She leaves Wednesday to begin her professional career. Right now I'm kind of nervous, but I think I'm more excited. Karin Nicholls, women's basketball head coach, said having contacts within professional organizations is essential for a player to have a chance at a professional career.
European teams rely on word of mouth and game films to scout potential players.
Nicholls said Willard Sims, a former basketball coach for the University, was instrumental in getting Eagan her shot in Norway. Only two Americans are allowed on each European team, and the American players are the only players paid a salary. Nicholls said there will be added pressure on Eagan because European clubs expect American players to push their teams to the top. Eagan attracted interest from several WNBA teams, but she was unable to attend the WNBA scouting combine last spring because of conflicts with her finals schedule. Eagan said the deadline to decide on whether or not she wanted to play in Norway also conflicted with the WNBA scouting combine.