OU guard Jeltema signs pro contract in Germany

ROCHESTER, Mich. – Former Oakland University women’s basketball standout Melissa Jeltema recently signed a professional contract to play for Chemnitz Chemcats in Germany. The contract offer came at the end of a three-day European exposure camp where Jeltema was recognized as the camp’s most valuable player.

“We’re really proud of MJ (Melissa Jeltema),” said head coach Beckie Francis. “Her signing to play in the top division in Germany is a by-product of all her hard work and dedication to the game of basketball.”

Jeltema, a 5-foot-9 forward out of Grand Rapids, Mich., finished her career as the ninth-leading scorer in Oakland history with 1,544 career points.  She was an All-Summit League first team honoree last season after averaging 15.6 points per game and 7.7 rebounds per game.

“I am really excited,” said Jeltema “Playing overseas has always been a goal of mine and now it’s actually happening.”

As a team captain, she helped the team to a second-place regular season finish after posting a 14-4 record. Jeltema also performed for the Golden Grizzlies in the classroom, earning ESPN The Magazine All-District honors.

“I was given a great opportunity at Oakland University,” added Jeltema. “It helped me to excel and to develop as a player.”

Over the course of her career at OU Jeltema was twice selected to the All-Summit League after garnering a spot on the league’s All-Newcomer team in her freshman campaign. She was also a four-time Academic All-Summit League selection, earning distinguished scholar honors in her senior year with a grade point average (GPA) of 3.60 or higher. She graduated from Oakland in May with a degree in wellness, health promotion and injury prevention.

Jeltema joins a Chemnitz Chemcats team that recently won promotion to play in the highest level of German basketball in the Damen Basketball Bundesliga (DBBL) — First Bundesliga. Last season, the Chemcats finished second in the North Division of the Second Bundesliga with a 15-2 record to earn promotion to the top women’s league in the nation.

Jeltema will join her team for preseason training on Aug. 9. The German season begins on the weekend of Sept. 25.

Last updated: Jul 29 2010 at 2:50 AM