STATESBORO - Georgia Southern women's basketball forward Tsubasa Nisbet has inked a contract to play professionally in her native New Zealand. Nisbet will join Mainland Pouakai for the inaugural season of the Tauihi Basketball league, which begins on June 29th.

A native of Christchurch, New Zealand, Nisbet played in 85 games in her four-year Eagle career, staring 29 of those contests. She scored 191 points and grabbed 185 rebounds in her career and served as a team captain for the 2021-22 squad that compiled an 18-10 record, won the first Sun Belt Conference tournament game in school history and put together the best season in more than a decade for Georgia Southern women's basketball.

Nisbet came to Statesboro as a true freshman in 2018-19 and was a two-time Sun Belt Conference Academic Commissioner's List honoree as well as a Honor Roll recipient. She will graduate next month with her bachelor's degree in public health from Georgia Southern.

"I am really excited to be playing in the inaugural Tauihi league," Nisbet said. "And also to be playing back in my hometown! It's a huge step forward for women's sports in New Zealand, and I am looking forward to learning and advancing my skills with coach Tully Bevilaqua. I have thoroughly enjoyed my time at Georgia Southern and look forward to my next venture!"

"I am extremely excited and happy to see Basa live out her dreams!" Georgia Southern Head Women's Basketball Coach Anita Howard said. "It's always rewarding to see hard work pay off for someone who has given her blood, sweat, and tears to a program like Basa has. Her infectious personality and blue collar work ethic will be beneficial for her as she embarks on this journey. As a two-time captain and honors graduate from Georgia Southern, we know she will do well and represent the Lady Eagles!

Basa joins former Eagles Nikki McDonald (Swittzerland), Tiffany Brown (Sweden), Hailey Dias-Allen (Spain) and Rhein Beamon (Kosovo) who are currently playing professionally overseas.