TOWSON, Md. — Towson women's basketball graduate Wiebke "Tilly" Schwartau will start her professional career in her home country of Germany with Alba Berlin.  

"I would like to thank my coaches, teammates and the entire Tigers program for helping me prepare for this opportunity," Schwartau said. "I'm so excited to continue my career in my home city and to play for my team of my childhood dreams." 

Schwartau's junior season was cut short due to the global COVID-19 pandemic and her senior season also ended early due to injury. During the 31 contests she represented the black & gold in, the 6-foot-6 center accumulated 17 points, 45 rebounds and 10 blocks.  

The Eutin, Germany native also played at Midland College for two seasons. In Germany, she played for BG Ostholstein, and helped her team to the North Germany championship. 

"Wiebke has a tremendous work ethic and never backs down from a challenge," head coach Diane Richardson said. "She will use her length to disrupt her opponents and change the game." 

Alba Berlin's women's team was founded in 2016 and plays in the 2. Basketball Bundesliga Nort, the country's second tier. Due to Berlin's regulations in relation to COVID-19, Alba Berlin only played three games in its 2020-21 slate to come out with a 2-1 record. The team finished sixth in the North-East Region. 

Schwartau becomes the third Tiger to ink a professional contract this offseason. Nukiya Mayo signed with l'AS Aulnoye Basket club in France as well as Kionna Jeter who signed with Embutidos Pajariel Bembibre P.D.M. in Spain. Two other alumna, Tanisha McTiller and Dominique Johnson, have both retired from playing overseas.