Euro Step: Former Humber star enjoying success overseas
ETOBICOKE – Ceejay Nofuente has learned to adjust as a basketball player. After her freshman season at Ryerson, she decided to transfer and had four historic seasons at Humber before graduating in 2018.
The Toronto native is now learning to adjust on and off the court in her third season of professional basketball in Europe. After her rookie season in Denmark, she has played the past two seasons in Sweden.
"The biggest adjustment has been the different coaching and playing styles in each country," according to Nofuente. "The competitive atmosphere is incredible, but it can be tough on 'import' players. With the increased attention and pressure on us, getting calls from the referees on the road can be a little difficult."
As the most decorated female student-athlete in CCAA women's basketball history, Nofuente nearly averaged a double-double (19.3 PPG, 9.4 RPG) in her rookie season with SISU Copenhagen in 2018 – earning a first-team all-star selection. She then inked her second professional contract, moving to Sweden to play for Högsbo, earning the 2019 Defensive Player of the Year award as a point guard and leading her team to a second-place finish at the Swedish Cup.
"The ability to travel to different countries and experience the different cultures has been an incredible experience," wrote Nofuente. "Meeting new people and new teammates each year has been my favourite part so far."
Sweden is just a stepping stone for the two-time CCAA national champion, as Nofuente continues to work her way up the basketball chain.
"My main goal is to one day play in the EuroLeague, or find a spot with a WNBL squad in Australia," added Nofuente. "If that doesn't work out, I'd like to play in a top country like Turkey, Israel, or Russia."
This season, Högsbo is currently the highest-scoring team in the league and sits third with an 8-3 record. Nofuente is second in the league in player efficiency, averaging 19.7 PPG, 6.5 RPG, and 7.0 APG.
