Bucknell University Athletics
Joe Willman Signs Pro Contract in Czech Republic
8/19/2013 10:41:00 AM | Men's Basketball
LEWISBURG, Pa. -- Forward Joe Willman, one of the key members of the Bucknell men's basketball team's record-setting Class of 2013, announced that he has signed his first professional contract with BK Nova Hut Ostrava in the Czech Republic. Willman, Bucknell's all-time leader in games played, will join his former teammate and co-captain Mike Muscala in the pro ranks next season.
NH Ostrava competes in the Czech Republic's top division (NBL). The club finished in third place last season and lost in five games in a best-of-five semifinal series in the NBL playoffs.
Willman ranks 23rd on Bucknell's all-time list with 1,162 career points scored. Twice he was selected to the All-Patriot League Tournament Team, including last season when the Bison won the championship for the second time in the last three years. He is one of 18 players in Bucknell basketball history to record at least 1,000 points and 500 rebounds. His career scoring high of 20 points came in his final game against Butler at the 2013 NCAA Tournament.
Praised by head coach Dave Paulsen as one of the smartest players he has ever coached, Willman was known for being able to do a little bit of everything on the basketball court. He excelled in rebounding, defense and was able to score both in the post or with his deadly mid-range jumper.
Willman never missed one game in his four years at Bucknell and holds the school record for most games played in a career with 134. At last spring's Senior Athletics Awards Banquet, he was presented with the Edward W. Pangburn Award, presented to the senior athlete "who demonstrates sportsmanship, fellowship, and contribution to the University."
Willman is not the only member of his class who will play in Europe next year. Muscala, a two-time Patriot League MVP who graduated as Bucknell's all-time leading scorer, was selected by the Dallas Mavericks with the 44th pick in the 2013 NBA Draft and then was immediately traded to the Atlanta Hawks. Muscala played with the Hawks' summer league team in Las Vegas, and even though the Hawks retain his NBA rights, Muscala will apprentice with Blusens Monbus Obradoiro in Spain's top division in 2013-14.Also headed to Europe next season will be former Bison women's basketball standout Lindsay Horbatuck, who will play with Haskovo 2012 in Bulgaria.
