BAKERSFIELD, Calif. – Former CSU Bakersfield women’s basketball standout
Christine Kepenekian has been invited to tryout for the Armenia National
Team prior to the FIBA’s European Div. C Championship. Armenia will host
the seven-team tournament which runs from June 28 – July 3. Kepenekian was
one of just three Americans to be invited to Yerevan for the May 20
tryout. This marks the first season that Armenia is inviting players from
outside the country to try out.
`I am really excited to get the chance to play competitive basketball
again,’ said Kepenekian. `I’ve been to Armenia twice before to visit my
mom’s side of the family. This is a great experience that will hopefully
help me gain exposure to try and play on other professional teams after
the tournament. I miss playing at the collegiate level and having the
opportunity to play for the national team helps me continue my basketball
journey, even if it’s only for a short period of time.’
Kepenekian hopes that making the team will help her gain dual-citizenship
which would classify her as a Boseman B player. With the Boseman B status,
Kepenekian would be easier to hire for European professional teams to help
continue her career.
`We are very excited that Christine Kepenekian accepted our invitation to
tryout for the Armenia National Team,’ said Hrachia Rostomyan, President
of the Basketball Federation of Armenia. `We are looking forward to
Christine’s arrival in the next couple of weeks.’
As a Roadrunner, Kepenekian overcame injuries early in her career to
become one of CSUB’s all-time great players. She holds 16 top 10 career
program records and nine top 10 individual season records. She is No. 2 on
the Roadrunners’ all-time leading rebounder lists (569) and is one of just
six players to surpass 1,000 career points (1,035).
During her senior season in 2008-09, Kepenekian led the ‘Runners to a
19-10 record by averaging a team-best 16.9 points and 8.5 rebounds per
game, both career highs. She garnered second-team NCAA Division I
All-Independent honors.
`Christine was a great player for us and helped make our team better,’
said CSUB Head Coach Tim La Kose. `Any team she plays on will be better
with her on it because she works hard and competes. We wish her the best
of luck.’
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Marsha ll Fey
CSU Bakersfield – Assistant Sports Information Director
W. Soccer – W. Basketball – XC – Track – Water Polo – M. Golf
(661) 654-3071 (o) – (661) 654-6978 (f) – (913) 660-4686 (c)
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
