Marlous Nieuwveen has become the first former Valparaiso Crusader to sign a contract in the WNBA, having signed with the Los Angeles Sparks on Tuesday.

Nieuwveen, who played for the Crusaders from 1998-2002, has been playing professionally in the international ranks since 2002. Currently she is playing in Spain for CajaCanarias.

At Valpo, Nieuwveen ranks among the best players to ever play for the Crusaders. She ranks sixth all-time in both scoring and rebounding, tallying 1,217 points and grabbing 657 rebounds while playing in 117 games, fourth most in school history. She is third all-time shooting 51.9% from the floor and ranks fifth with 81 career blocked shots.

As a senior, she helped lead the Crusaders to the quarterfinals of the Women's National Invitation Tournament, Valpo's first postseason appearance in school history. In the first round of the WNIT at Michigan, Nieuwveen was a perfect 9-of-9 from the floor on her way to the second best shooting night in school history.

Last season, the Los Angeles Sparks won the Western Conference with a 25-9 record during the regular season.