Sept. 29, 2009
NORMAL, Ill. -
Former Illinois State guard Kristi Cirone signed a professional contract to play for Apollon Ptolemaidos in the Greece A1 League. Cirone received the offer Sept. 10 and left for Greece Sept. 13.
"As much as I will miss playing under the coaches and with my teammates at Illinois State, I am very excited about this new opportunity with Apollon Ptolemaidos," Cirone said "I am ready to get started and contribute in any way that I can. This is a new journey in my life, but deep down, at heart, I will always be part of the Redbird family."
Apollon P., which is based in the town of Ptolemaida in northern Greece, finished in sixth place in the A1 League last season with a record of 14-12. The 2009-10 season opens Oct. 18.
The A1 League consists of 14 teams and there were 28 American players in the A1 League last season, including former Missouri State guard Kari Koch. Former Iowa State center Nicky Wieben and Montana guard Mandy Morales have also signed contracts with Apollon P., according to their schools' Web sites.
Cirone started every game in her four-year career at Illinois State and is the school's all-time leader in scoring, three-pointers, free throws and assists. She garnered four All-American honors, three Jackie Stiles MVC Player of the Year awards and four All-Valley recognitions.
Cirone signed a free agent contract with the Connecticut Sun of the WNBA in April and was the only undrafted rookie to make a WNBA roster. She was the first Illinois State player in the WNBA, playing in four games before she was released.
