University of Richmond Athletics
Petillon Playing Professional Basketball In Sweden
10/06/2006 | Women's Basketball
Oct. 6, 2006
UNIVERSITY OF RICHMOND, VA. - Former Richmond women's basketball standout Amber Petillon is playing professional basketball with the Visby Ladies in the highest women's basketball league in Sweden. The team has had one of most successful programs in Sweden for the last two decades, winning the championship in 2005.
Petillon, a graduate of 2006, will play with the team starting this upcoming weekend. After meeting up with the team in Stockholm on Saturday, the Visby Ladies will play their first game in the northern part of Sweden on Sunday afternoon.
Visby, a town of approximately 25,000 inhabitants, is located on the island of Gotland, which is the biggest Swedish island. The little town is widely regarded as one of the most beautiful in northern Europe.
Petillon has already started to shine for the Visby Ladies after playing a few preseason games in Denmark a few weeks ago, putting up several 20-plus performances. In one of those games, she helped the Visby beat the current Danish national champions, Horsholm.
"Amber's success in Sweden to this point does not surprise me one bit," stated Richmond head coach Michael Shafer. "Her confidence and level of play soared in the last couple of months of our season last year. I felt like she became a dominant force in the paint, which is exactly what I expect her to do over in Europe. Amber should have a great professional career and we are all excited to follow her successes."
A transfer from Rutgers University, Petillon played two years in a Spider uniform, reaching double figures 12 times and recording one double-double. A dominant force on the inside, Petillon put up 8.0 ppg and pulled 4.7 rpg her senior year, finishing second on the team for field goal percentage, offensive rebounds and blocked shots. Petillon was instrumental in helping the Spiders to their first victory over George Washington in 23 years as she scored a career-high 21 points.
