Men's Basketball | 8/1/2018 11:37:00 AM

    TORONTO, Ont. – West Liberty University All-American Dan Monteroso is not only taking his game to the next level, he's taking it to another continent.
    The 2017-18 NCAA Division II Academic All-American of the Year has signed his first professional contract with Ehingen Urspring of the German Pro A League and is currently making preparations to head overseas and join his new teammates. The German Pro A League season tips off in September.
    The name of Monteroso's new team may ring a bell with Hilltopper fans as former WLU All-American Seger Bonifant played with the German squad last season.
    "I'm extremely grateful for this opportunity and I'm excited to continue my basketball career," Monteroso said. "I want to thank my family for doing everything they could to put me in this situation."
    The St. Clairsville, Ohio native earned first-team All-MEC, All-Region and All-America honors after leading the Hilltoppers to a 26-4 season that included another MEC championship and the program's ninth consecutive NCAA Tournament bid.
    A second-year transfer who graduated from Purdue in three years while playing Big Ten football as a wide receiver for the Boilermakers, Monteroso averaged a team-high 20.2 ppg. as a senior. He was the mark of consistency, hitting double-figures in all 30 games with 14 games of 20 or more points, two 30+ point games and a West Liberty season-high 40 points in an MEC Tournament rout of W.Va. State. He hit and MEC Tournament record 18-of-19 free throws in that win. Earlier in the season, he tied a school record with an NCAA Division II season-high 9 steals at Davis & Elkins.
    Ehingen head coach Domenik Reinboth was especially impressed by Monteroso's work ethic and athleticism. He also believes the football background will be a positive factor for the former Hilltopper as he makes the transition from college basketball to the pros.
    "Dan is a hard working very physical players who makes the game fast," Reinboth said in a release provided by Slan Sports Management. "That spectacular playing style, in which you notice his football background, will certainly inspire the audience."