Buffaloes' Putnina decides to turn pro

By B.G. Brooks, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)

Thursday, May 15, 2008

Forward Aija Putnina is turning pro, forgoing her junior and senior seasons on the University of Colorado women's basketball team to return to Europe.

In a statement released by CU's athletic media relations department, Putnina said her decision was based on "some family issues" and a desire to be closer to them in Riga, Latvia.

Putnina, who has hired an agent, plans to play for the Latvian national team in Madrid, Spain, in its quest to qualify for the Beijing Olympics. She is scheduled to play for Latvia in the U20 European Championship in July.

CU coach Kathy McConnell-Miller said Putnina "has given everything to our program and has been a great addition. We respect her wishes to be close to her family and experience a professional career that we know she is anxious to begin. . . . We will miss her and wish her the best."

Putnina, an exchange student and graduate of Regis High School, averaged 5.6 points, 5.6 rebounds and 1.1 blocked shots in 60 games for CU. Her 44 blocks in 2007-08 were the third most by a CU sophomore.

Starting 27 of 34 games last season, Putnina was the Buffaloes' fourth-leading scorer (7.7) and No. 3 rebounder (6.6). She said playing McConnell-Miller and CU was "a great experience. . . . She helped me improve my game, and I have grown tremendously on and off the court."