Rachael Gregory inks deal overseas

Rachael Gregory, a former Coastal Carolina women’s basketball player, has signed with CB Valls in Spain to pursue her dream of playing professional basketball.

Gregory averaged 11.5 points per game in her career at Coastal Carolina University. This past season, Gregory reached double figures in six games, bringing down 13 rebounds in games against Catawba, Appalachian State and Troy. She also led the team in double-doubles last season with five.

Gregory, a native of Indianapolis, Indiana, spoke about what it felt like when she signed her first official professional contract.

“It was an amazing feeling when I received my contract,” said Gregory. “It definitely is a dream come true, and I am super excited to get over there.”

Gregory worked with Sims Basketball Placement Agency, an organization based in Atlanta and helps athletes get noticed and further their professional careers.

“The people at Sims were extremely helpful and were able to answer everything I needed,” said Gregory.

Gregory checked out the team she will be playing with this upcoming season and said she was impressed with what she saw so far.

“It is a pretty established program over there,” said Gregory. “I am looking forward in getting over there, working out with the team and getting right for the season.”

CB Valls plays in the fourth tier of Spanish and finished 11-15 last season, finishing 10th. In the team’s entire 21 years, last season was only the fourth time that CB Valls finished 10th or lower. Valls has finished in fifth place or higher 13 times, winning their respective division four times; in 2004, 2007, 2008 and 2012.

While Gregory is ready to start her career as a professional basketball player, she is excited to explore Spain and everything the country has to offer.

“Barcelona is only an hour and a half away,” said Gregory. “The thing I am most excited about is hopping on a train and traveling to Barcelona to catch a soccer game. To have one of the best soccer clubs in the world 90 minutes from where you are staying is an opportunity you can’t pass up. I am really looking forward to seeing Messi and FC Barcelona.”

Gregory also talked about understanding the culture and the language.

“It will definitely be an eye-opening experience,” said Gregory. “I will be staying in the Catalonia region in Spain, and Catalan and Spanish are the main languages of the area. While I am not fluent in Spanish, I’ve been speaking Spanish since I was three, so I do have the language down to where I can carry a conversation with someone from there.”

Gregory is the fourth former Chanticleer women’s basketball player to sign a professional deal. She follows behind Alexx Puckett, Kira Carter and Brooke Weisbrod.

She graduated from Coastal Carolina University in May with a Master in Business Administration and is pursuing a Ph.D. in Global Education. She sent her well wishes to next year's basketball team.

“Work hard and take care of yourself,” said Gregory. “Most importantly, have fun with it.”