SANTA CLARA, Calif. – Record-setting Santa Clara University women's basketball alumna Lena Gipson '11 has signed a contract to play professionally in the Southern European island country of Malta. Gipson will be playing for Hibernians Medsea and former men's Italian National Team Head Coach Bruno Di Pietrantonio.
"My time at Santa Clara, as well as at the other universities that I've played at, and believing through injury, has reaffirmed the thought that through hard work and determination anything is possible," said Gipson. "Do not be discouraged, do not let yourself be deterred; if you set your mind to it you can achieve goals that you had never thought possible."
Gipson had been told that she wouldn't even be able to play recreational basketball after a major knee injury during her senior year of high school at San Joaquin Memorial near her hometown of Hanford, Calif.
She became one of the first-ever recruits of current SCU head coach Jennifer Mountain as a transfer and redshirt sophomore. Gipson went on to enjoy a terrific three-year career as a Bronco. Gipson was one of the nation's top rebounders and a three-time All-West Coast Conference player. She averaged a double-double (13.2 points/10.3 rebounds) and is one of only two players in 46 years of women's basketball at SCU to have over 1,000 points and 900 rebounds.
"Any time a student-athlete can continue to play the game they love at the next level it is a great thing," said Mountain. "She will get to experience another country, another culture and to continue her basketball journey. She will represent us well and as a program we are very proud of her. I wish her the best and hope she has a great experience in Malta."
"To stay in shape after my injury, and now playing professionally … I've definitely been blessed to be able to get to where I am today," said Gipson.