Lewis Athletic
Luke Rinne, Director of Athletic Communications
ROMEOVILLE – Former Lewis University women’s basketball standout Jessica Kelliher (Waukesha, Wis./Waukesha North) has signed with the Visby Ladies in the Swedish-Damligan League. She is beginning her second season of professional basketball.
Kelliher played for Antwerp Giants in the Belgian League last season where she led the league in scoring with 22.8 points per game and was fifth in the league in rebounding with 10.0 per contest. She also averaged 1.7 assists, 1.3 steals and 1.0 blocks per game. Kelliher also led the league in field goal percentage at 55.3 percent.
She was named Belgian League Player of the Week four times and was named to Eurobasket.com All-Belgian League Third Team.
“It feels great to have signed with the Visby Ladies,” Kelliher said via statement from the Visby Ladies. “Being able to continue my basketball career in a new country is a dream come true for me. I have heard amazing things about both the city and community in Visby and I’m very excited to be a part of it.
“I hope to able to contribute a lot of energy and also toughness with my physical game,” Kelliher continued. “I am very much looking forward to learning more about Visby and taking part in Swedish culture. I also look forward to meeting, playing with and getting to know my teammates and the rest of Visby’s people.”
“She is a really exciting player,” Visby Ladies head coach Anders “Leo” Pettersson said. “Since Jessica comes from a Division II college, she probably would not have been noticed if it had not been for the fact that her statistics really stand out. She was very effective in college and also her first season as a professional, she delivered great numbers. As a professional rookie, Jessica won the scoring title in Belgium and came in fifth in rebounding. This with a very good shooting percentage. Impressive I just say. I think she will be a positive surprise in the Swedish league as well.”
“Jess is one of the Flyer greats and she continues to show us why,” Lewis head women’s basketball coach Samantha Quigley Smith said. “After an amazing first season overseas, she is back at it again. We are so happy she has found another great organization and team to be a part of. They will lover her. We wish her much luck and safe travels. We miss you.”