PORTLAND, Ore. --- University of Portland women's basketball alums Ashley Gray and Sara Zaragoza, who concluded their careers with the Pilots last season, have both signed contracts to play professionally in Europe. Gray will play for Depiro Sen Rabat Basketball Club in Malta, while Zaragoza returns to her native country of Spain to join UCAM Probelte Jaris.
 
"Ashley told me in the recruiting process her dream was to play professional basketball," said Portland head coach Cheryl Sorenson. "We are so proud that her dream has become a reality. She will play in a league where she can continue to work on her game and is expected to contribute from day one. I can't wait to follow her season!
 
"Sara is one of the most focused and 'whatever-it-takes' players I have ever coached," continued Sorenson. "She is playing for a club that will allow her to be on the court right away and continue to develop her game. She is healthy, and all of her hard work has allowed her the opportunity to continue to play as a professional. I couldn't be prouder of her."
 
Gray is a forward who appeared in more than 113 games in four years with the Pilots, and she made 52 starts. She averaged five points and four rebounds per game, and she scored a career-best 17 points against Pacific in February. Gray hit 13 of 14 from the free throw line against the Tigers, becoming the first Pilot to hit 13 free throws in a game since 2007. As a junior, she once pulled down a career-high 15 rebounds.
 
A center, Zaragoza started every game her senior year, and she finished with 55 starts and 116 appearances for her career. During the 2017-18 campaign, Zaragoza recorded her first career double-double with 15 points and 12 rebounds against Warner Pacific, and she capped the season with a career-best 16 points during a win over Pepperdine on senior day. She collected four blocks in a game twice last season, and she once blocked a career-best six shots in one game.