By Greg Bates
Correspondent
GREEN BAY – Frankie Wurtz hasn’t traveled too much during her life.
She’s been to Canada but never to Europe.
Wurtz, who wrapped up her basketball career at the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay in March, recently signed a professional contract to play in Europe for the Amicale Steinsel women’s basketball team in Steinsel, Luxembourg.
“I’m excited to keep playing basketball and be competitive,” Wurtz said. “I love that part of it – I’m not done yet.”
Wurtz said she didn’t know if playing pro basketball was going to be her calling until the last couple of years.
After a successful prep career at Kimberly High School, where she became the program’s all-time leading scorer even though she missed her senior season due to injury, Wurtz got a chance to play at Division I Green Bay.
“In high school, I was so focused on wanting to play in college, I didn’t think about after college,” she said. “Once I got to Green Bay, I saw how many players go overseas. I thought it would be a cool experience.”
When Wurtz’s college career was cut a little short due to the COVID-19 outbreak, she said she wanted to pursue playing at the next level.
She had watched her cousin, Taylor Wurtz, make the jump from college basketball to professional basketball overseas, playing in Luxembourg as well.
Wurtz hired an agent, sent in game film and Amicale Steinsel was the first team that showed interest.
“That’s a feather in Frankie’s cap,” said UWGB women’s basketball coach Kevin Borseth. “She’s wanted to continue her playing career, and I hope with our current medical state she’s able to play. If everything materializes, she’ll do well. She’s a workhorse and a proven talent. They’ll be happy with her, I can tell you that.”
Wurtz is the next former UWGB player to play professionally overseas.
Julie Wojta, Mehryn Kraker, Laken James and Jessica Lindstrom all suited up for teams last year.
Allie LeClaire closed out her pro career in 2019.
“It says a lot about the program,” Wurtz said. “Our success as a mid-major sets players up for these opportunities. Coach Borseth is a great coach, and European coaches know that. Who knows if I would have been able to do this if I went anywhere else, so I’m thankful for attending Green Bay and this opportunity.”
Wurtz is getting her chance to play professionally because of what she showed during her final two years in college.
After averaging 10.5 points per game as a junior, she led UWGB as a senior in scoring (15.2 points) and steals (1.78), was second in assists (2.16) and third in rebounds (4.9).
She also surpassed the 1,000-point mark, becoming the 37th player in Green Bay history to accomplish that feat.
Wurtz said Amicale Steinsel is bringing her in to be a point guard, a position she hasn’t primarily played since high school.
Borseth used Wurtz as an off-guard to put her in a position to score.
“We’re going to run lots of ball screens,” Wurtz said. “The coach said my job was to be aggressive and do what I do.”
Borseth said he believes Wurtz is a good fit for the European game.
“Frankie’s got a good game,” he said. “She’s solid with everything she does. She can score, and in that league, they want kids who can score. Frankie doesn’t play with fear and doesn’t doubt what she’s capable of.”
Wurtz, who signed a one-year contract with Amicale Steinsel in mid-June but wasn’t able to announce it until recently, will be one of two Americans on the team.
She said she doesn’t know too much about the team’s history, but she was informed it won a league championship a few years ago.
Wurtz said she chose Green Bay because of its proximity to Kimberly, but that will change now when she’s more than 4,000 miles from home.
Lindstrom, her good friend, will be a couple of hours away in Belgium and had the same coach Wurtz will have.
“Jessica loved Luxembourg and enjoyed the experience,” said Wurtz. “She told me she wants to explore Europe together.”
Wurtz said she’s excited to broaden her horizons overseas.
“I want our team to be successful in the league, but I also want to enjoy my time and learn about different cultures,” she said.
Wurtz is planning to fly to Luxembourg Aug. 24, however, since there is a U.S. travel ban to Europe due to the pandemic, she’s still not sure how things will work out.
“I’m talking with the team now because we have to figure out how to get there,” Wurtz said. “I have to get a work visa, so I’m in that process now.”
Amicale Steinsel is scheduled to have its first game of the season Sept. 26.
With it being her first season playing pro basketball overseas, Wurtz said she isn’t sure if she’ll play a few years and come back to the United States or try for a long career in Europe.
“I’ll take it year by year and see how it goes,” she said. “I’m excited but also nervous to leave home. I know I’ll be okay. If I like it, I would keep playing.”