LA JOLLA, Calif. – Former UC San Diego basketball standout and recent graduate Chris Hansen has signed a contract to begin his professional career with BK Inter Bratislava in the Slovak Basketball League. The team is based in the Slovakian capital of Bratislava.
 
"I played bunch of different sports growing up, but it wasn't until my time at UCSD that I decided I wanted to play basketball as long as I could," Hansen said. "Why stop if I'm having fun? The language barrier was a hesitation for me, but in talking with others, it doesn't seem to be as big an issue. I spoke with Adam Klie and Coach Brendan Clowry who played overseas about their experiences. They gave me good idea of what to expect. I am excited to get going."
 
The 9-team SBL season runs from fall to spring, with playoffs to follow. BK Inter Bratislava has won two of the last three SBL titles. The 2019-20 season was not completed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
 
"I'm so proud of Chris and excited to watch him at the next level," said UC San Diego head coach Eric Olen. "He's been a huge part of our success the last five years and I know he's going to be successful in his professional career as well. Inter Bratislava is getting not only a great player, but an even better person and teammate."
 
An NABC All-American as a junior, Hansen departs as the program's all-time leading rebounder at the Division II level – despite missing 15 games this past season after being slowed with a foot injury.
 
Fully recovered, Hansen says UC San Diego has prepared him well for his new challenge. "Having such great people surrounding me and teaching me the day-to-day approach to basketball has helped prepare me for this moment," he added. "My understanding of the game is much more refined thanks to the program and guys like Drew Dyer, Adam Klie and Scott Everman. They have instilled confidence in me that I can contribute at a high level."
 
Hansen will depart California in two weeks and be tested twice for COVID-19 before formally joining his new team for preseason.
 
About UC San Diego Athletics
After two decades as one of the most successful programs in NCAA Division II, the UC San Diego intercollegiate athletics program begins a new era in 2020 as a member of the Big West Conference in NCAA Division I.  The 23-sport Tritons earned 30 team and nearly 150 individual national championships during its time in Divisions III and II and helped guide more than 1,300 scholar-athletes to All-America honors.  A total of 82 Tritons have earned Academic All-America honors, while 37 have earned prestigious NCAA Post Graduate Scholarships.  UC San Diego student-athletes exemplify the academic ideals of one of the world's preeminent institutions, graduating at an average rate of 91 percent, one of the highest rates among institutions at all divisions.