Malone Inks Professional Deal in Greece
Former CCSU women's basketball standout Tejahne Malone has signed a contract with Greek club, GS Iraklis Thessaconiki .
Former Central Connecticut women's basketball standout Tejahne Malone recently signed to begin her professional playing with GS Iraklis Thessaconiki in Thessaloniki, Greece. The Waldorf, Maryland native, enjoyed tremendous junior and senior seasons at forward for Central.
As a junior, she was named All-Northeast Conference Second Team after leading the Blue Devils in minutes played (28.5), points scored (10.8), rebounding (7.9) and shot a team-best 51.3% from the field. Malone finished her senior season impressively, producing similar numbers, starting in all 30 games for Central. She led the team in minutes per game (31.2), field goal percentage (47.5), and rebounds per game (7.2).
Malone played with the Blue Devils from 2012-16 and finished her career having played in 99 games. She compiled 764 career points (7.7 ppg), 606 rebounds (6.1 rpg) and shooting 48.6 percent from the field.
As she approaches this new chapter in her career, the former standout says parts of being a Blue Devil will follow her in her journey.
"The word 'discipline' is the number one thing that I will carry with me as I begin playing in Greece. I learned the meaning of being a disciplined student-athlete in the past four years at Central," Malone added. "I am so excited for this opportunity, because it doesn't come around for everyone. I feel nothing but gratitude for everyone who pushed me along the way to help me get here."
Playing professionally was not always in Malone's sights until her final two seasons as a Blue Devil. Malone stated that her family, and close-knit relationship and influence with the CCSU staff of head coach Beryl Piper, assistant coach Kerri Reaves, assistant coach Jason Marshall, and strength and conditioning coach Mike Ericksen is what ultimately led her to believe she could take her basketball career further than the collegiate level.
"My senior season didn't go as I had planned, but it was people such as my coaches at Central, mother, and former coaches that gave me all the support I could ask for," said Malone.
The 2016-17 women's basketball team opens the season at Dartmouth on Friday, November 11. The Blue Devils' first home game will be against Hartford on Wednesday, November 16.
