Alyssa Ustby set to take the next step in her professional basketball career

Where will Ustby's next stop take her?!
Nov 25, 2024; Paradise Island, Bahamas, BHS; North Carolina Tar Heels guard Alyssa Ustby (1) dribbles during the second half against the Indiana Hoosiers at the Atlantis Resort. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images
Nov 25, 2024; Paradise Island, Bahamas, BHS; North Carolina Tar Heels guard Alyssa Ustby (1) dribbles during the second half against the Indiana Hoosiers at the Atlantis Resort. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images | Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images

Alyssa Ustby is heading to Italy!

The former UNC women's basketball star has signed a deal with the Panthers Roseto pro basketball team in Roseto, Italy. They compete in the Lega Basket Femminile (LBF), Italy's premier national women's basketball league.

In their official Instagram post, head coach Simone Righi had some great things to say about the addition of Ustby to their roster:

"Ustby will be a key player for our team because she is able to fill more roles. Its duality allows it to be a four that, in this case, can also play as an outside and as a tactical five. I was struck by the amazing energy he puts on both sides of the field. She is capable of attacking in one-on-one with intensity and also hitting with a three-point shot. In addition to the technical aspect, he has shown great human qualities, with a lot of eagerness to show off in his first experience outside the United States. I am sure that, in a welcoming and warm environment like Roseto, he will have the opportunity to grow both on an individual level and become the main player of the team."

The UNC women's basketball program has now had three players from last year's squad sign international contracts for this upcoming season. Lexi Donarski and Maria Gakdeng both landed deals in Hungary, while Ustby, coming off competing at Spokekane Hoopfest, is taking her talents to Italy.

With the WNBA set to add expansion teams over the next few seasons, it is hoped that more roster opportunities will become available. We all know what Ustby is capable of, as she is certainly deserving of a chance to play in the WNBA.

For now, she'll just have to continue proving herself in international play, with hopes that the opportunity back in the states will shortly follow.