Former Bobcat Standouts Sign International Basketball Contracts
9/16/2025 1:08:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Morales, a former Big Sky Conference MVP, has signed with Club Deportivo Escuela Alemana de Paillaco in Paillaco, Chile, while Janssen, who played in 146 games as a Bobcat, inked with ADBA Sanfer in Aviles, Spain.
Former Montana State women's basketball standouts Esmeralda Morales and Taylor Janssen have signed professional contracts to play internationally beginning this fall.
Morales, a former Big Sky Conference MVP, has signed with Club Deportivo Escuela Alemana de Paillaco in Paillaco, Chile, while Janssen, who played in 146 games as a Bobcat, inked with ADBA Sanfer in Aviles, Spain.
For Morales, the club is part of a larger school-based organization. Its national league women's team is the visible face and inspiration for over 500 children involved in the basketball program. Paillaco is a town of 12,000 people, where women's basketball is the main sport.
"This summer has been a little interesting, according to my agent, and others I've talked to, it's just been a rough season for guards (finding a club)," Morales said. "It was a long waiting process just trying to find a good fit, like safety and style of play.
"I talked to the head coach and was like, yeah, let's do it," Morales added. "It seems like a great area to experience, have fun, experience a different culture and play basketball."
Club Deportivo Escuela Alemana de Paillaco has existed for over 30 years. It has been competing in the Chilean Women's National League for the past eight seasons, and during that time, have consistently reached the final four.
"This experience will be a good challenge for me," Morales said. "I think it'll help me grow as a person to see a different lifestyle, atmosphere, environment. I'm super excited. The first game starts in late September."
Janssen is set to play in Aviles, Spain, a town of 75,000 that sits in the northern part of the country on the Bay of Biscay. Bobcat associate head coach Ryan Johnson aided Janssen in her goal to play professional basketball overseas.
"I am so grateful to be able to continue playing basketball," Janssen said. "I am excited for this opportunity to grow as a basketball player and as a person. ADBA is a perfect fit for my holistic goals of playing competitive basketball, immersing myself in a new culture and community, and meeting great people along the way."
Morales and Janssen join former standout Oliana Squires (SBS, Ostrava, Czech Republic) as current Bobcats playing professionally.
"The first thing I would tell them is to soak it all up," said MSU head coach Tricia Binford, who also played professionally overseas following her collegiate career. "What a great experience to see the world - playing the game you love and are passionate about. It is something very few people get to do.
"They also get to say they're a professional and they get to take Montana State internationally," she added. "They'll both make big impacts on the court, but also how they impact the culture of the program. They are both experienced veterans and champions and will bring a level of excellence to wherever they go."
Morales, a former Big Sky Conference MVP, has signed with Club Deportivo Escuela Alemana de Paillaco in Paillaco, Chile, while Janssen, who played in 146 games as a Bobcat, inked with ADBA Sanfer in Aviles, Spain.
For Morales, the club is part of a larger school-based organization. Its national league women's team is the visible face and inspiration for over 500 children involved in the basketball program. Paillaco is a town of 12,000 people, where women's basketball is the main sport.
"This summer has been a little interesting, according to my agent, and others I've talked to, it's just been a rough season for guards (finding a club)," Morales said. "It was a long waiting process just trying to find a good fit, like safety and style of play.
"I talked to the head coach and was like, yeah, let's do it," Morales added. "It seems like a great area to experience, have fun, experience a different culture and play basketball."
Club Deportivo Escuela Alemana de Paillaco has existed for over 30 years. It has been competing in the Chilean Women's National League for the past eight seasons, and during that time, have consistently reached the final four.
"This experience will be a good challenge for me," Morales said. "I think it'll help me grow as a person to see a different lifestyle, atmosphere, environment. I'm super excited. The first game starts in late September."
Janssen is set to play in Aviles, Spain, a town of 75,000 that sits in the northern part of the country on the Bay of Biscay. Bobcat associate head coach Ryan Johnson aided Janssen in her goal to play professional basketball overseas.
"I am so grateful to be able to continue playing basketball," Janssen said. "I am excited for this opportunity to grow as a basketball player and as a person. ADBA is a perfect fit for my holistic goals of playing competitive basketball, immersing myself in a new culture and community, and meeting great people along the way."
Morales and Janssen join former standout Oliana Squires (SBS, Ostrava, Czech Republic) as current Bobcats playing professionally.
"The first thing I would tell them is to soak it all up," said MSU head coach Tricia Binford, who also played professionally overseas following her collegiate career. "What a great experience to see the world - playing the game you love and are passionate about. It is something very few people get to do.
"They also get to say they're a professional and they get to take Montana State internationally," she added. "They'll both make big impacts on the court, but also how they impact the culture of the program. They are both experienced veterans and champions and will bring a level of excellence to wherever they go."
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