After putting together two of the most successful careers in the history of Florida Southern College women’s basketball, former Moccasin all-Americans Camille Giardina and Anja Fuchs-Robetin are continuing their careers after signing professional deals overseas. Earlier this summer Giardina inked a deal with Italian club Magnolia Basket Campobasso, located in the Molise region in southern Italy, while Fuchs-Robetin signed on with the Newcastle Eagles in Newcastle upon Tyne, England.
Giardina, who finished her career at Florida Southern as the third-leading scorer in program history, earned four all-America honors while with the Moccasins. She was also named as the SSC Freshman of the Year in 2015-16 and was the SSC Player of the Year as a senior in 2018-19. Born into an Italian-American family in New Haven, Conn. before moving to Florida, Giardina is very much looking forward to playing in Italy.
“It’s a blessing and a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” Giardina said. “I imagined it, believe I could, and achieved my goal. This a dream come true and Florida Southern helped mold me into a strong all-around individual who’s ready to handle any situation, on or off the court.”
Fuchs-Robetin, a two-time all-American and SSC Player of the Year during her time at Florida Southern, won’t be far from home after growing up in Austria. She’ll be the fifth Moccasin in four years to ink a professional deal after her college career, joining Giardina, Simioni, Jensen Blassage, and Flo Ward. Newcastle Eagles are a member of the Women’s British Basketball League (WBBL), which begins play in late September.
“I’m excited to continue my basketball career in Europe,” said Fuchs-Robetin, who will play on the same team with former FSC teammate Giulia Simioni. “I’m looking forward to a new challenge and getting to team up again with Giulia.”
For Moccasin head coach Betsy Harris, who played professionally in Europe after an outstanding college career at Alabama, seeing her players continue their on-court dreams after graduating is something she cherishes.
“Camille achieved so much when she was here and now she gets to continue her playing career as a professional in Italy,” Harris said. “She is living the dream and she is doing it as a former NCAA D-II player. Camille put herself in this position by putting the work in and I’m proud of her and wish her the best.”
“Anja has an opportunity to work towards her Master’s Degree like former players Giulia Simioni and Jensen Blassage. She will be able to play on the school’s team and the professional team in England. She should be a top player in the league and I look forward to watching her play this season.”