Hughes' Skills Translate in Germany

To Boston College women's basketball alumna Kelly Hughes (2013-17), connecting three-pointers comes easily. As BC's program record holder for career three-pointers with 322 treys, Hughes has utilized her skills in the game to transition to German professional team Freiburg.

On Dec. 3, Hughes made seven of seven attempts from beyond the arc against rival Wuerzburg, a feat that may have come from the skills honed as an Eagle, playing women's basketball in the Atlantic Coast Conference.

"Playing in the ACC for four years certainly prepared me for the professional level," said Hughes. "I competed against the best of the best night in and night out, some of whom have moved on to the professional level in the WNBA and overseas."

Leading her new Freiburg squad, Hughes has averaged 55.6 percent of threes made – proof that the overall adjustment of relocating to a new country has been smooth on the court.

While Hughes has of course had a successful career as an Eagle, the game of basketball in Europe places a greater emphasis on fundamentals, ball movement and more skillful passes that lead to scoring.

According to Hughes, "the American style tends to be more individually focused and centered on strength and athleticism. This is not to say that Americans don't play team basketball, but there is a greater emphasis on being able to score and attack the basket in 1 on 1 situations in the States than there is overseas."

The Point Pleasant, N.J. native has had just as much luck with her off court transition while being in Germany. In addition to having friends and family visit, Hughes' current teammate Kristen Gaffney played at Vanderbilt and East Carolina University, as well as being coached by current Eagles' assistant coach Thomas Garrick.

"Even though there are only two of us Americans on the team, our coaches coach in English and our teammates speak very good English so we have no problem learning on the court and being able to communicate with each other," the 5'11 guard said.

"My teammates, coaches, and our management have all been extremely welcoming and helpful since I first arrived back in August," added Hughes. "On my first day, the management drove me around, pointing out all of the new road signs and the main attractions of the city."

The most important transition that Hughes made?

"They helped teach me how to drive stick shift. The car provided by the club is manual so I've had to master driving stick shift because that's how I get to and from practice and around the city."

Driving a stick shift, though challenging, is not what Hughes sees as the toughest test in Germany.

"The most difficult part about living in Germany is definitely the language barrier," shared Hughes. "We have done a handful of school visits where we play basketball with the kids and have a Q&A session, but my interactions with them are limited because of my lack of German. Most of these kids have begun to learn English in school so I am able to communicate with them a bit, but not as much as I'd like to."

To attempt to alleviate this barrier, Hughes has been taking German lessons, expanding her knowledge each week. This allows her to experience the German culture in its entirety – her favorite part of the experience so far.

"Despite the cultural differences, I have adapted to the German lifestyle after being here for almost four months now," said Hughes. "There is obviously a language barrier, but a good percentage of Germans speak English and that has made the transition easier."

According to Hughes, many American athletes have similarly made the jump from collegiate basketball to playing in Europe professionally. "I have played against familiar faces but also matched up against talented German-born players for the first time."

One of those familiar faces is former BC teammate Lauren Englen (2013-15), who now plays for another German team - the Bad Aibling Fireballs. The pair found themselves face-to-face during a preseason tournament.

"I was beyond excited," shared Hughes. "I hadn't seen Lauren in about a year and hadn't been on the same court with her in two years so it was a much needed reunion. Lauren is one of the greatest teammates I've ever had the privilege of playing with and someone who I'll be able to call a friend for the rest of my life."

As Englen had made the transition to professional German basketball three years prior, she was the one who initially persuaded Hughes to take the leap herself.

"She always had good things to say about her time here and has enjoyed her experience, which influenced me to pursue a professional career in Germany myself," said Hughes.

Though still a new player to the German basketball circuit, Hughes is clearly making an impact for Freiburg.

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