Courtesy of Connecticut College Sports Information

NEW LONDON, Conn. - Connecticut College women's basketball alumnus Jenn Shinall '12 of Redding, Conn. has signed a professional basketball contract with the KUSG Leimen Young Guns in Germany.

Shinall will travel abroad August 22 to start the preseason program. The Young Guns will open their season September 22.

"We could not be more happy for and proud of Jennifer for her professional contract with the Leimen basketball club," said Connecticut College head coach Brian Wilson. "Earning a roster spot on a European professional team as an American guard from a Division III program is a significant accomplishment given the roster limits for Americans and the large number of American players seeking to play in Europe each year. Jennifer's competitiveness, work-ethic and drive made her dream of playing professional basketball a reality. She willingly took the risk of preparing for and attending a tryout in Germany, knowing that the chance of a team offering her a contract was slim at best. Jennifer's achievement is the result of the countless hours she invested in refining her game outside of practice. She will forever be an example of what a person with passion, focus and hard work can accomplish, regardless of the obstacles."

In a stellar senior year in New London, Shinall helped lead the Camels to their first NESCAC playoff berth in a 16-7 season. The 5-2 sharpshooter finished fourth in the NESCAC in scoring with 13.3 points per game behind 2.57 three-pointers per game. In addition to leading the league in three-pointers made, she finished sixth in steals (2.43), three-point field goal percentage (39.0%) and free throw percentage (80.0%).

Shinall closed out her career as one of seven Camel women's basketball players to eclipse the 1,200 point mark with 1,216 points. She hauled in 429 rebounds, grabbed 273 steals, dished out 258 assists and buried 177 three-point field goals during her prolific collegiate playing career.

Shinall was one of 22 student-athletes in the region selected to play in the New England Women's Basketball Association Senior All-Star Classic.

Shinall believes that her Connecticut College liberal arts education and experience as a NESCAC student-athlete has prepared her for the most challenging step in her athletic career.

"The competition in the NESCAC was very high and I feel that I played against some of the best Division III players and teams in the United States," she asserted. "I also feel that playing at Connecticut College taught me how to really commit to a team and motivate myself individually. As a Division III player, it is important to take it upon oneself to do individual workouts, and I feel that I took advantage of gym time and always wanted to improve. I think that Coach Wilson really helped me throughout my experience at Connecticut College. Even on my worst shooting days, he still believed in me and has been a big supporter both before and after the tryout in Germany."

Shinall pointed to the Camels' victory against a nationally ranked Williams College squad in January as a defining moment in her career. 

She is grateful for the support from her family and friends and is looking forward to the experience as a professional.

"I had amazing support from my parents, who also believed in me every day and every game and convinced me to do the tryout, Shinall said. "They really believed in me, and without them I do not think I would be going to Germany. I am so thankful for the support they have given me!"

Wilson is confident that Shinall will succeed in this challenging endeavor and is looking forward to seeing her in action.

"We wish Jennifer nothing but success and a tremendous experience with her new team," Wilson added. "I know that Leimen head coach Thorsten Schulz will be thrilled with what Jennifer will bring to the club each day - he will not have a player care more or work harder than Jenn. We cannot wait to see Jenn in action as a professional!"