(DCC Athletics release)
GLENDIVE – Always looking for an inside player in college hoops, Dawson Community College Head Coach Romeo Lagmay, Jr. found one in 6’2 Naomi Casteleijn. DCC didn’t find her in the US however, they found her in Breda, Netherlands.
Coach Lagmay was sent an email from an international recruiting service. Lagmay then proceeded to evaluate her statistics and games throughout her career. Obviously interested, Lagmay reached out to the service and conversations were in progress. Lagmay on his post player, “When the communication process began, I was able to speak with Naomi and her father via video chat, and we had a great conversation regarding her opportunity to play in the US and what the expectations were from both parties. Naomi’s position is something we will definitely need next season if we plan on having a chance at winning the conference title. She brings with her the abilities to score off the dribble, defend the post and score quickly in the post area. Dawson is excited to sign her, and offer her a great experience in our country.”
Naomi will be graduating from Het College; an institution of secondary education in Weert, the Netherlands, but the Netherlands does not have school sports teams for competition; only club level teams. She played in her hometown Breda for the Under 14 and Under 16 Barons Club for five seasons, where her best season she averaged 23.4 points and 10 rebounds per game in regional play. While playing for the Barons Club, she had several 40+ point games and two 50+ point games, and she still holds the record of 59 points in one game, which is still the highest recorded score for a woman/girl in the Netherlands according to the basketball union database.
In the 2016-2017 season, she played basketball for Head Coach Sven Voogt of Basketball Academy Limburg, in Weert, on the Under 18 academy team, where she averaged a double double of 12.4 points and 13.1 rebounds. Recently, she combined training sessions at the Basketball Academy in Limburg playing for coaches Daan de Heus, Erik van Dalsum and Sanne van Dongen in the Under 18/Under 20 Almonte Club teams, located in Eindhoven. Almonte is in the top league of the national division. This past season, Under 20 Almonte lost in the championship game and placed second in their division with 28 wins and 4 losses, while the Under 18 team had a record of 18-4 placing 3rd.
Naomi expressed her excitement signing with Dawson saying, “Ever since I first picked up a basketball I enjoyed the game, even though I was not very good at it. During the years I slowly developed. I want to thank my parents, all my coaches that have taught me love for the game and how to get better and chase my dream of playing basketball at the highest level. As a result of all those people, I had the opportunity to join the academy in Weert together with my younger brother. Ever since, I worked hard every day to get better and get to the next level. I am very thankful I now have the opportunity to play at Dawson as a Buccaneer!”
