Southern Illinoise University Athletics
Dyana Pierre signs professional contract with Finland's Aanekosken Huima
08/03/2016 | 3:39:00 | Women's Basketball
CARBONDALE, Ill. – Recent Southern Illinois University graduate Dyana Pierre became the seventh Saluki women's basketball player to sign a professional contract today, inking a deal with Aanekosken Huima of Äänekoski, Finland.
The Aanekosken Huima play in the Naisten Korisliiga, the highest tier of women's basketball in Finland. The league is comprised of 10 teams that are all based in Finland. Huima went 15-16 in 2016, advancing to the playoffs where they were ousted in the semifinals of the eight-team playoff.
One of three Americans on Aanekosken Huima's roster, Pierre will begin practice soon after arriving in Finland on August 27, with the season starting on September 1.
"I want to thank Southern Illinois University, Coach Stein and all of my coaches, my agent at Merit Management Group and my teammates for this opportunity to continue my basketball playing career," Pierre said.
Pierre believes that playing under fourth-year head coach Cindy Stein and her staff has prepared her well for the rigors of professional basketball.
"Playing under Coach Stein went a long way in preparing me for professional basketball," Pierre said. "A lot of what she taught me, both on and off the court, carries over now that basketball is my job."
A native of Port St. Lucie, Fla., Pierre finished one of the best careers in Southern Illinois women's basketball history earlier this year. She was named First Team All-Missouri Valley Conference for the third time in her career and was selected to the MVC All-Defensive Team for the second-straight season after averaging 12.3 points with 11.2 rebounds and 1.3 blocks per game. Pierre became just the third player in Valley history, and the first since 2004, to lead the MVC in rebounds in each of her four seasons in the league.
"This is a proud moment for Dyana, her family and our program," Stein said. "Dyana will do a great job. She has written her name amongst SIU's finest in the record books. We wish her the best in her pursuits."
Pierre is the only Saluki to end her career with at least 1,000 points, 1,000 rebounds, 100 assists and 100 blocks. She ranks first in Saluki career rebounds (1,218 rebounds) and blocks (162), sixth in scoring (1,425 points), seventh in field goals made (581), third in minutes played (3,450) and sixth in free throws made (263).
Pierre joins Amy Rakers (Japan), Anita Scott (Switzerland & Greece), D.D. Plab (Ireland), Petra Jackson (United States), Molly McDowell (Amsterdam) and Christine Presswood (United States) as Salukis who have inked professional contracts.
