ORONO, Maine -- Two-time America East Player and Defensive Player of the Year Anne Simon has signed a professional contract to join Lupe Basket in San Martino di Lupari in the Italian Serie A1 in Italy.

Simon, who guided the Black Bears to the 2024 America East Championship and a spot in the NCAA Tournament, left her mark on the Maine record books as she concluded her illustrious career ranked fifth on Maine's all-time scoring list (1,982), 10th in all-time rebounding (721), and fifth on the all-time steals list (280). Simon is a three-time America East All-Conference First Team selection, earned two selections to the league's All-Conference Second Team, and is a two-time America East All-Defensive Team honoree. A 12-time America East Player of the Week award recipient, Simon was named the 2024 Most Outstanding Player in the America East Tournament and finished her career with 15 double-doubles and 103 double-digit scoring performances.

Simon joins a number of former Black Bears who are currently enjoying professional careers in Europe:

• Sigi Koizar (Constanta in Romanian Liga Nationala)
• Dor Saar (Ramat Hasharon in Israeli D1)
• Blanca Millan (Ensino in Spanish LF Endesa)
• Mikaela Gustafsson (Hannover in German DBBL)
• Chantel Charles (Targoviste in Romanian Liga Nationala)
• Milica Mitrovic (Targu Secuiesc in Romanian Liga Natinoala)
• Tanesha Sutton (Barcelos in Portuguese Liga Feminina)
• Alba Orois (Maresme in Spanish LF Challenge)
• Kira Barra (Saarlouis/Dillingen Diamonds in German 2.Bundesliga)
• Maeve Carroll (Saarlouis/Dillingen Diamonds in German 2.Bundesliga)

-UMaine-