Former Cougars Enjoying Success Overseas
12/14/2011 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Dec. 14, 2011
HOUSTON - Three former University of Houston women's basketball standouts are off to impressive rookie campaigns in their first season of professional basketball overseas.
Lesslee Mason, Brittney Scott and Courtney Taylor, who teamed up to lead Houston to one of its greatest seasons in women's basketball history a year ago, all play in the same division in the Spanish League, and are among the leaders on their respective teams through the opening eight contests.
Mason plays for AGUERE SANTA CRUZ DE TENERIFE, a team based in the Canary Islands, and leads the squad in points (13.6 ppg), rebounds (6.5 rpg) and steals (2.0 spg) while shooting over 50 percent from the field.
Despite only playing two seasons at Houston, Mason ranks third in school history in career rebounding average (9.0), sixth in blocked shots average (1.5), seventh in blocked shots (93) and 10th in offensive rebounds (231). The Cincinnati, Ohio, native started in 62 of 63 career contests at Houston, scoring in double digits in 28 games and recording 16-career double-doubles, which ranks 10th in program history.
Scott has emerged as a top scorer for OURENSE PABELLON in Spain, averaging 11.0 points per game while shooting 43 percent from the field and 77 percent from the free-throw line.
Scott ended her four-year career at Houston as the most prolific 3-point threat in school history, holding the all-time record with 226 made 3-pointers while ranking third in 3-point percentage (35.2). The Orange, Texas, native led the Cougars last season with 15.8 points per game and averaged 26.5 points in postseason play during her career.
Taylor also plays in Spain for ADBA AVILES, averaging 9.0 points, 6.9 rebounds and 1.5 steals per game while shooting nearly 50 percent from the field. Taylor's club ranks fifth in the 14-team division with a 5-3 record.
The two-time Conference USA Player of the Year rewrote the record books in her four-year career with the Cougars, holding school records in rebounds (1,165) and double-doubles (60). Taylor is one of just two former Houston standouts to average a career double-double with 14.4 points and 10.0 rebounds.
Mason, Scott and Taylor join Sancho Lyttle as former Cougars playing in the professional ranks. Lyttle starred at Houston from 2003-05 and was the fifth overall pick of the 2005 WNBA Draft. Lyttle is a six-year veteran of the WNBA and is a two-time All-Star selection with the Atlanta Dream.
