Sinclair to continue basketball career in Hungary

After completing her college career at Indiana University in March, former Eminence standout Aulani Sinclair began searching for ways to continue playing basketball as a professional. Sinclair led the Hoosiers with 15.5 points per game and 58 total assists as a senior and made 38.5 percent of her threes.

After winning the women's 3-point championship held at this year's Final Four, Sinclair was invited to participate with the U.S. team at the Four Nations Tournament in Chengdu, China. She was named tournament MVP, leading her team to a 9-0 record. The four nations included the U.S., China, Australia and Hungary.

Upon returning in early July, she continued her focused workouts and began searching for a team. She found one last week, PINKK-Pecsi 424. Pecsi Noi Kosarlabda Klub Sportegyesulet plays its home games in Komlo, Hungary, a city of about 26,000 people located in the southwest corner of the nation. She recently spoke to the Banner Graphic about her journey and the challenge in front of her.

Banner Graphic: So you're going to be playing in Hungary. How did that come about?

Aulani Sinclair: My agent and I were looking to pick a team. He got in touch with a Hungarian team and it was a good fit for me. My agent found an opportunity for me.

BG: How did you find your agent?

AS: Kind of through word of mouth. A whole bunch of agents contacted me after the season so I was able to pick the agent that was the best fit for me personally.

BG: What is the name of your team?

AS: It's called Pink. It's spelled P-I-N-K-K P-E-C-S-I 4-2-4.

BG: How much time did it take you to memorize that?

AS: A lot. A lot. Everyone asks me so I know how to do it now.

BG: So what have you been doing since the season ended?

AS: Just continuing to work out every day in Indianapolis and trying to stay on my game, stay in game shape and hang out with family.

BG: How many other teams did you have to choose from?

AS: We had a couple teams. We researched them all and just found the best fit for me, and that's Hungary.

BG: Do you know anyone else that's over there?

AS: I know Danielle Diamant. She went to Northwestern and we played against them so I talked to her. She's like an hour away from me so we'll play each other during the season. She's the only one I know, as of now.

BG: How long is the trip over there?

AS: I leave from here to Chicago, which is an hour. From Chicago to Frankfort, Germany, which is eight and a half. Then Frankfort to Buddapest, and that's another two and a half.

BG: On a scale of "I've heard of it" to "I know their GDP and major exports," how familiar are you with Hungary?

AS: After I knew I was going to go there I started looking a lot of stuff up online and pretty much Googling everything that I can. From what I picked up, their weather is kind of the same as ours is. A lot of it I'm just going to learn when I get there and just kind of learn as I go. I'm excited just to learn everything first hand and just to see everything.

BG: Does the team have a translator for English-speaking people?

AS: Well, they speak Hungarian but most of the younger generation can speak and understand English. My coach said everyone on my team can. That shouldn't be too much of an issue.

BG: Are there other Americans on your team?

AS: No, I'm the only American, but there are two girls that went to universities in America. I'm the only true American, but there are other girls that, once they graduated, they went to America and played.

BG: Is there anyone going over there with you?

AS: No, it's just me.

BG: When does your season start?

AS: The first game is Sept. 28.

BG: So you're getting there just in time for training camp?

AS: Yeah, pretty much. We play for the Euro Cup, then we also play in the Hungarian league so we have two games a week. It's pretty much like it was in the Big Ten. So once the season starts we won't really have time to learn all the plays and do all that stuff. As soon as I get there I start practicing with the team and learning all the plays.

BG: Did they see you in the three-point contest and decide they had to have you?

AS: I don't know if they watched the three-point contest, but with my agent getting in contact with them, he had game film of me so they saw a couple of my games at IU.

BG: When does the season end? How long are you going to be over there by yourself?

AS: I'll be there until the end of April, maybe the beginning of May depending how we do in the tournament. It might be a little longer.

BG: How you traveled much before?

AS: Just the China trip I went on right after graduation. I traveled with the team to the Virgin Islands when I was at IU, and I did the China trip by myself, but other than that I've pretty much just been at IU.

BG: Is there anything you're most looking forward to about it or is it just going to be cool to keep playing basketball?

AS: I'm looking forward to traveling over there, seeing a new culture, learning about it and having an opportunity to play professionally and just continue my basketball career.

BG: Have your friends been supportive? How long does it take to explain what you're doing?

AS: My friends and family have been very supportive. They're all happy for me. We had a little going-away party last night so I got to see my friends and family one last time before I left. They all wished me the best and are really excited for me.

BG: Are you going to be able to keep up with your friends over here?

AS: Yeah, I'm still going to be on Twitter and Facebook and I'm going to shoot some videos and post it on Youtube so a lot of my family and my other fans and followers can watch and see what it's like for me. That'll be up soon once I get there and start filming some stuff.