MSU Billings Grad Signs to Play in Germany (July 29, 2003)
BILLINGS, MT – Former
Yellowjacket star Natalie Visger will continue her
basketball career by playing professionally in
Germany this season. Visger will leave Billings on
August 16 and report to the Frankfurt-Langen
Giraffes’ training camp on August 18. The Giraffes
are the same team that Codi Schmitz, another
Yellowjacket standout, played for in 2001.
“My eyes will be wide open, I’m sure,” said Visger of
her new adventure. “I don’t totally know what to
expect, but I’m excited. The host family I’m
staying with is one that Codi knows, so that will
help.
“I’ll miss my friends here, but
I’m excited to learn German—see the Autobahn,”
Visger added. “I’m going to take German classes in
the mornings and I want to be fluent in German
before I leave.”
Visger is the Yellowjackets’ 11th all-time leading scorer (1,219 points) and third
all-time leading rebounder (796 rebounds). She
played in 112 games over four years, notching 26
career double-doubles. She also finished as the
school’s best-ever free throw shooter with a career
average of 82.2 percent. Considered one of the
hardest working players in the program’s history,
Visger was a two-time team captain and led
MSU Billings to back-to-back NCAA Tournament berths
as a junior and senior. She
graduated with a degree in biology in 2003.
Visger says that she will be
the only American on the Langen team. During her
free time, she has arranged to coach a high school
level team comprised of 17 and 18 year olds. The
season for the second-division Giraffes runs from
August to April, and Visger says she may stay in
Germany until early May.
“I really have to thank Coach
[Elwin] Heiny and Paul Hallgrimson,” said Visger.
“They helped put me in touch with this team. I
wouldn’t have been able to do this without their
help.” |
