Windham graduate Sarah Talon to play professional basketball in Germany

By Matt Pascarella

Windham High School graduate Sarah Talon recently earned her degree from the University of Maine Orono in psychology with a minor in leadership. She plans to work in a therapy department with young kids and athletes. But before she begins her career, she’ll get to fulfill a lifelong dream. This fall, she’ll be moving to Germany where she’ll play pro basketball after signing with the New Basket Oberhausen team.

Windham High and University of Maine graduate Sarah Talon
puts up a shot during a home game at UMaine Orono in
March. Talon recently signed a professional basketball 
contract to play in Germany this fall for the New Basket
Oberhausen team. PHOTO BY ALLISON TALON  

Once the National Collegiate Athletic Association women’s basketball season was over, Talon signed with a Fédération Internationale de Basketball (FIBA) agent who sent game film to various teams overseas. There are many opportunities to play professional basketball overseas. While she received interest from several countries, Germany’s New Basket Oberhausen team sent her an offer in early June and Talon signed to play with them.

“I think I’ve always had that goal (of playing professional basketball) in the back of my mind,” said Talon. “I knew I didn’t want to stop playing basketball and I wanted to play at the next level; it was an opportunity that arose and I jumped on it, and I’m really thankful for it. Germany was one of my first offers. It was everything I really wanted and needed, and I jumped on that opportunity really fast.”

According to FIBA agent Muhamet Mehmeti, an overseas playing career depends a lot on agent connections and how successful that agent is at placing players with teams.

“I'm connected in almost every team all around Europe, also Australia,” said Mehmeti. “I started working with Sarah straight after college, she had a good season and also is a good person, so it was a perfect fit for me to work with her. I got her film and started to show her to hundreds of teams all around. We had some interest, but we decided for Oberhausen as this league in Germany has proved to be a good one for players on their first year. (If they) play good (they can) jump in bigger leagues as this process is step by step.”

It was in middle school that Talon realized she was better at basketball than soccer. She remembers watching Catherine McCauley player Allie Clement as well as her big sister Hannah. Clement and Hannah were role models of Talon’s, and she wanted to do what they did.

Talon will be playing on a one-year contract which begins on Sept. 1. In addition to playing on the team, she will be coaching a young girls’ basketball team in Germany. The first league game for New Basket Oberhausen is Sept. 26.

“I’m very excited,” said Talon. “I’m a little nervous obviously – I’ve been to Europe one time. I think being in a new country will be a very cool experience; once I do get used to it, this will be very fun. I will use all the basketball IQ I’ve learned along the way, being at Windham and being at the University of Maine Orono and playing at the professional level, I’m really excited.”

She will spend the year getting acquainted with the German basketball experience. Talon said it’s going to be great to see how different things are basketball-wise there and she is looking forward to this new opportunity. <