Former Santa Barbara High and University of Washington basketball star Amber Melgoza arrived in Battipaglia, Italy to begin her professional career.
Melgoza is playing for the club Polisportiva Battipagliese of Italy’s Serie A1 women’s basketball league. The club is also known as PB63, which was started in 1963.
The club posted photos on Facebook of Melgoza arriving at Naples-Capodichino Airport, about 50 miles north of Battipaglia, and at her first practice at its home court, the Zauli.
Melgoza is the all-time leading scorer at Santa Barbara High and the No. 8 all-time scorer in Washington women’s basketball history; she led the Huskies in scoring for the last three straight seasons.
She is the only American player on the Italian team.
Melgoza and PB63 begin their season on Oct. 3 against new team Dinamo Sassari of Sassari, Sardinia, Italy.
PB63 will play its home opener on Oct. 7 against multi-Italian champion Schio.
— Noozhawk sports editor Barry Punzal can be reached at bpunzal@noozhawk.com. Follow Noozhawk Sports on Twitter: @NoozhawkSports. Connect with Noozhawk on Facebook.