The Tribune

By BRENT STUBBS

Senior Sports Reporter

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

Just when she was looking forward to getting back to the Czech Republic to help lift the DSK Karlin out of their doldrum, Waltiea Rolle had to pack her bags and leave for Bulgaria where she will end up completing the season for Haskovo in the Bulgaria National Basketball League (NBL).

The NBL is the highest professional basketball league in Bulgaria. It was founded in 2008 and previously called the Bulgaria A Division. The A Division is now the second level professional league in Bulgaria.

Rolle, who was home for the Christmas holiday, had led DSK. But after playing in her first game since the break on January 4, she was sent to Bulgaria. In her departing performance, Rolle missed a double-double with 14 points, nine rebounds and three blocks.

The performance came on the losing end as DSK suffered a disappointing 72-64 decision to Slovanka MB, who are presently ranked ninth in the league. DSK remained in 11th place at 3-18.

In the 20 games she played for DSK, Rolle averaged 14 points, 9.2 rebounds and 2.0 block shots per game.

Rolle’s first game with Haskovo will be played at home on Thursday when they are scheduled to play against Levski, who has the third best ranking in the league. It’s the first game since the Christmas break for Haskovo, who ended the first half of the season last year at 4-6.

The regular season is scheduled to wrap up on March 26.

Rolle, 22, was drafted with the 36th pick in the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) by the Minnesota Lynx.

But the six-foot, six-inch centre, who attended HO Nash, CR Walker and Westbury High School in Houston, Texas, opted to complete her degree in sports administration and exercise sports science at the University of North Carolina. Her road to the WNBA is being paved by her decision as well to play in Europe for this year to gain some experience.

The mother of a two-year-old daughter, Carlisa, is managed by Xcel Management Group International, LLC, headed by Jacquie Rolle.

Xcel Management launched a fan page on Facebook dubbed Waltiea Rolle ‘Rise of a Legend’ where Bahamians can show their support by leaving an encouraging message for her before every game.