FAIRFIELD, Conn. –  Fairfield University Women's Basketball graduate Khadidiatou Diouf has signed a professional basketball contract to play for the Nissan Al-Qázeres Extremadura in the first-tier level women's basketball professional league in Spain. Diouf becomes the 13th Stag under Head Coach Joe Frager to sign a professional contract after the forward earned her first-ever All-MAAC honor after a breakout senior season.
 
"Having this contract and opportunity to play professionally is a dream come true," Diouf said. "It is one of the main goals that I have been working hard for all these years. I am more excited to play and also grateful for it."
 
"We are really, really happy for Dija," Head Coach Joe Frager said. "She had expressed a desire to try professional basketball and now she'll get that opportunity. Our whole staff is confident she will do very well."
 
Diouf ended her collegiate career by posting her best season in a Stags uniform, finishing with career-highs in almost every category. She paced the team with 7.7 rebounds, 15 blocks, and a .429 field goal percentage. She became the first Stag since 1984 to grab 20 or more rebounds twice in the season, hauling in a personal best 21 against Saint Peter's (1/15) and 20 against Iona.
 
For her efforts, Diouf was named to the All-MAAC Third Team for the first time in her career. A biology major, Diouf also earned a spot on the MAAC All-Academic team for the fourth time in her career.
 
Diouf's new squad, Nissan Al-Qázeres Extremadura competes in Liga Dia of Spain and will open up their season on September 28.
 
Diouf, who graduated Fairfield as a biology major, still holds her plan to enter the medical field after her playing days.
 
"As for my future in the medical field, that's still my plan," Diouf said. "One day I will have to stop this passion of mine and pursue my other love which is to care for people."