University of Minnesota Athletics
Buford Signs Professional Basketball Contract to Play in Poland
7/10/2012 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
July 10, 2012
Just over three months after the conclusion of her collegiate career, former Minnesota standout Kiara Buford signed a professional contract to play basketball for Matizol Lider Pruszkow in Poland. Buford will travel to Poland in mid-August, where she will be joined on the club by former Texas A&M standout Tyra White.
"I am very excited about this opportunity," Buford said. "Being so far away, I am a little nervous, but more excited than anything. I am just ready for something new, and this is definitely going to be something new for me in many different ways."
A three-time All-Big Ten honoree, Buford finished her career by becoming only the seventh player in program-history to record 1,500 career points, ranking seventh all-time at Minnesota with 1,532. The guard also ranks in the program's top-10 in 10 additional career categories, including fifth in three-point field goals (129) and free throw percentage (.756).
In her final campaign with the Gophers, Buford averaged 13.6 points and 3.5 rebounds per game, and posted a shooting percentage of .441, which included a .403 three-point field goal percentage. She also led the team with 115 assists and 70 steals.
Matizol Lider Pruszkow finished sixth in the Polish League last season with a 14-12 record, and is set to open the 2012-13 season on Sept. 29.
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