HAYWARD, Calif. -- Former Cal State East Bay forward Ryan Okwudibonye will continue his basketball career at the professional ranks in 2016-17. The Huntington Beach native has signed with Guadalajara Basket, a club in Spain's professional league. 

Okwudibonye, who came to East Bay as a graduate student in 2014, is the first CSUEB basketball player to sign a pro contract overseas since the Pioneers re-joined NCAA Division II. 

"I really enjoyed my time playing here at Cal State East Bay," Okwudibonye said. "I am thankful for Coach Gus Argenal and the coaching staff for giving me an opportunity to play my last college years here. This past year has been so rewarding due to the fact that I accomplished getting my master's degree in Recreation and Tourism, in addition to getting signed."

Okwudibonye played two standout seasons at New Mexico Junior College before transferring to Division I Sacramento State. He appeared in seven games with the Hornets as a junior and completed his undergraduate degree in communications in 2014. 

With one year of eligibility remaining, the 6'8" big man came to Cal State East Bay. After sitting out 2014-15 with an injury, Okwudibonye had an outstanding senior season for the Pioneers in 2015-16 to wrap up his collegiate career. He competed in all 27 games and led the team with a .537 field goal percentage. He finished second on the squad in both scoring (11.2 ppg) and rebounding (5.6 rpg), highlighted by two double-doubles and five contests with at least 20 points.

"Even after an injury my first year here and all the adversity we've faced as a team, I kept the determination to never give up on my dream to play professional basketball," Okwudibonye noted. "I am truly blessed and humbled by this opportunity to play in Spain. I will do my best to make Cal State East Bay proud as I continue my basketball career."

Fans can follow Okwudibonye in the Spanish professional league through Guadalajara Basket's website and Facebook page, and by visiting Okwudibonye's profile page at Eurobasket.com.