Former Carson High and Sonoma State standout Vince Inglima is heading down under.
Inglima, a 2002 CHS graduate and the 2006 California Collegiate Athletic Association Player of the Year, will be playing basketball in Australia.
Inglima, who has been serving as an assistant coach with Sonoma State this season, will leave Feb. 15 to joine an Australian Division II team in Dandenong, a suburb of Melbourne.
"It will be tough to leave in midseason but this is a great opportunity," Inglima told the Santa Rosa Press Democrat in a recent article. Sonoma State located in Rohnert Park near Santa Rosa, Calif.
Inglima was a Division II All-American last year and played in the NCAA Division II All-Star Game. It was there that the chance in Australia came about as a coach with strong ties to Australian basketball saw Inglima play.
Inglima, a Division II All-American selection last season, leaves Feb. 15 to join an Australian Division II team in Dandenong, a surburb of Melbourne.
"I've talked to people who tell me the Australian league is a good one," Sonoma State coach Pat Fuscaldo told the Press Democrat.
"Some Australian teams have two Americans on the roster but Dandenong only has me," Inglima told the Press Democrat. "I plan on being a major factor."
He will be paid $2,100 per month, the season running from March through August. He also gets a place to stay, living expenses as well as round-trip air fare.
"I'm going there to be successful and I have no idea how long I'll stay," Inglima told the Press Democrat. "I'm not looking at a 20-year career. Basketball is my passion."
Inglima said the pro leagues in Australia - there is a top tier and a second tier with Inglima starting at the second level - are somewhat comparable to college ball in the U.S.
"I've talked to a few guys who played there," Inglima told the Press Democrat.
"I won't get another chance like this so I want it to take me wherever it leads."
"he's worked out well for us here and we're really going to miss him," Fuscaldo told the Press Democrat.