CALGARY – The University of Calgary's all-time leading rebounder is set to ply his trade at the pro level.

Ross Bekkering, who wrapped up a stellar five-year career with the Dinos last spring, has signed with ZZ Leiden of the Dutch Eredivisie league, joining his older brother Henry on the circuit.

A two-time second team All-Canadian with the Dinos, Bekkering was the University of Calgary's athlete of the year in 2009 and led the team to consecutive appearances in the CIS national semi-final. He is one of only four players in Canada West history to record 900 career rebounds, and he wrapped up his CIS career with 1,424 points – good enough for sixth on the Dinos' all-time list.

As holder of a Dutch passport, Bekkering qualifies as a non-import in the league.

“I'm eager to put in the work and make a positive impact in a new place,” said Bekkering. “I was pretty anxious, but I'm excited to get a contract and now to get over there. I'm looking forward to proving myself in that league and moving on to a different stage in my life.”

“I think it's a great situation for Ross,” said Dinos head coach Dan Vanhooren. “Based on the other options he had and the position his team is in to play some Euro league games, this should be the best opportunity for him from an exposure perspective.

“The team he's joining has been successful recently, and that's going to create some stability in the future for him. We wish Ross all the best and we'll be following how he and Henry are doing.”

There's not much that Bekkering hasn't accomplished in his basketball career to date, but the Dutch league will present him with a rare first: the opportunity to play against his brother.

Teammates in high school and then teammates again with the Dinos, not to mention numerous summer leagues and pick-up games, Ross and Henry have gone head-to-head in practice for years but never in an organized league. Ross didn't waste any time throwing down the gauntlet.

“I think we play them three times, and we probably won't have to guard each other,” he said. “But you know…if he decides to drive to the basket against us, he'll see this six-foot-eight towering brother of his in the way. I'm sure he'll pass it off and avoid the contact!

“Seriously, though, Leiden and his team, Groningen, are kind of rivals, and it'll be interesting to play against him. But it will also be good to be that close, I'll get to see him quite a bit.”

“I only hope that Ross keeps his teeth when he plays his brother,” smiled Vanhooren, “although maybe it'll be an opportunity for some payback.”

Leiden knocked Henry's previous team, Nijmegen, out of the playoffs last season – but then lost to Groningen, the team Henry signed with in the off-season.

As for his new team, Ross isn't entirely certain what to expect right away.

“I really don't know too much about them,” he confessed. “I know they had a good team last year and they have a very good coach, but there's so much turnover in that league that it's hard to know what to expect. I do know that there is a rich history of basketball there, and Leiden has been known as one of the better teams in Europe in the past. At the end of the day, I got a contract to play basketball, and that's the most exciting thing for me.”

The Dutch league played a 36-game regular season last year and, coupled with exhibition, playoff, and club championship games, Bekkering could see action in more than 50 games over a nine-month season.

Bekkering departs Calgary Friday, Aug. 13 to prepare for the team's training camp, which opens Aug. 16. Exhibition play begins in early September.

-UC-