LISBON, Portugal – Khyra Conerly has been given the rare opportunity to continue playing basketball at the professional level after she finished her collegiate career on the North Carolina Central University women’s basketball team in the spring of 2015. Conerly has signed a professional contract with Sporting Clube de Portugal and is expected to make her professional debut as the league season begins Saturday, October 10. 

Conerly played her final two seasons for the Lady Eagles after transferring to NCCU from Northern Arizona University. The 5-foot-8 guard led the Maroon and Gray with 2.3 assists and 1.8 steals per game in 2014-15. Conerly also poured in 9.0 points per game and hauled in 4.4 rebounds per game in her senior season. Her single-game highs last year featured 22 points, 10 rebounds, eight assists and six steals.

Conerly will be playing for one of Portugal’s most well-known Clubs in Sporting CP. The Lisbon-based sports club competes in many sports, including its most well-known soccer team. The SCP ladies hoops team plays in the premier women’s basketball league in Portugal named Liga Femenina de Basquetebol.

The Sporting Lions begin the 2015-16 season on Saturday against CAB Madeira. Conerly signed a three-month playing contract that will expire on December 31. She is a member of a 14-player roster and the coaching staff expects her to come in and immediately play a big role on the team due to players lost. With strong play, Conerly’s may have a chance at getting her contract extended through the end of the season.

Conerly arrived in Portugal eight days before the season opener on October 2. Despite not having much of a preseason with the team, Conerly expects herself to be ready for competition on Saturday. The coach and team has high expectations of her being Conerly is the only American and former NCAA Division I player listed on the opening day roster.

Conerly earned a Bachelor of Science degree in criminal justice at NCCU in 2014.