SHIPPENSBURG, Pa. - Shippensburg University women's basketball alum Lauren Beckley '10 has signed a professional contract to play with Lemvig Basket, a professional basketball team in Denmark. Her contract begins in August and her season in the Dameligaen, Denmark's highest level of competition, runs from September through April.

"I am very excited to continue my career and play professionally in Europe," Beckley said. "Although I have much to learn at the next level, I believe that the last four years under Coach Trn have helped to prepare me for what is to come. I know moving to this new level and new culture will have its share of challenges to overcome, but I look forward to the opportunities that lay ahead of me."

Her new home base will be the picturesque town of Lemvig, population 7,200. The locale is known as "The Land of Hills and Waves" and is not far from the Atlantic Ocean.

Beckley, an All-American selection by the WBCA and the Division II Bulletin, is the all-time leading scorer in PSAC history and finished her senior season as the PSAC's leading scorer at 21.8 points per game. She ranked sixth in the nation in points per game, eighth in the nation in free-throw percentage (an SU record 88.7) and 18th in the nation in rebounds per game (10.1).

In her career, Beckley scored 2,407 points through 113 career games and ranks 15th all time in Division II. She is the only player in league history to win a conference player of the year award in both divisions and one of just five players in the league with 2,000 or more career points and 1,000 or more career rebounds. Overall, Beckley was a three-time PSAC Player of the Year.

Beckley was a two-time CoSIDA First Team Academic All-American for the College Division of District 2. She graduated with a 3.59 grade-point average while attaining a major in exercise science and a minor in biology.

"I know Lauren will be successful wherever she goes," said SU head coach Kristy Trn. "She has the passion and work ethic to continue to raise her game. She has made all in the Ship community proud, for far more than just her basketball skills. We wish her the best of luck."

Lemvig Basket recently completed its second season as a member of the Dameligaen. Among the players on last year's 2009-10 squad included Washington State alum Heather Molzen and former GNAC Player of the Year Rebecca Kielpinski of Alaska-Anchorage.

"We were very excited to hear about Lauren's signing to Lemvig Basket in Denmark," said assistant coach Jen Grassel. "We are going to miss her next year but are happy that she has such a great opportunity to continue on with her basketball career. We wish her the best of luck and look forward to seeing her grow at the next level."

Notes: Beckley will also be the commencement speaker at the graduation ceremonies of her alma mater, Fairfield High School, on Wednesday, June 9...Beckley's jersey will be displayed for one full year at the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame, located in Knoxville, Tennessee.