Continuing the journey - Marin Independent Journal

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

Continuing the journey

Former Redwood High standout Horstmeyer looking to play abroad

Former Redwood High standout Kylie Horstmeyer brings the ball up court for the University of San Diego women’s basketball team. Horstmeyer, who is set to graduate from San Diego next month, is looking to play professionally in Europe or Australia. TOM CHRISTENSEN — UNIVERSITY OF SAN DIEGO ATHLETICS

Kylie Horstmeyer of Redwood shoots over San Marin defenders during the 2020 MCAL girls basketball final in Larkspur. Horstmeyer had committed to the University of San Diego women’s basketball team earlier that week. SHERRY LAVARS — MARIN INDEPENDENT JOURNAL, FILE

Image

By Holly Woolard

IJ Correspondent

When Kylie Horstmeyer was 10 years old, she traveled to Greece to see where her mom had played professional basketball and kindled lifelong friendships.

That memory is one of many in Horstmeyer’s portfolio of experiences that have pushed her to pursue her own pro basketball career abroad.

“I want to play as long as I can,” said Horstmeyer. “I’m really excited for the next chapter. I’m ready for the next steps.”

The 2021 Redwood High graduate was literally raised on a basketball court, nurtured by her mom, Caren, who starred at Santa Clara University before playing professionally for two seasons in Athens. Following a knee injury, Caren Horstmeyer went on to serve as coach at Santa Clara and Cal for a combined 17 seasons.

“I have always wanted to play abroad,” said Kylie Horstmeyer. “It is definitely a driving force because (my mom) is still friends with who she played with in Greece,”

After graduating from the University of San Diego on May 5, Horstmeyer will seek employment on pro teams in Europe and Australia. She announced earlier this month that she has signed with agent Jeanne McNulty King.

“I couldn’t be more excited that Kylie has the passion for the game and wants to continue playing professionally in Europe and Australia,” said Caren Horstmeyer.

The 6-foot guard averaged a team-high 12.8 points per game last season, shooting 50 percent from the field and 86 percent from the free-throw line. Horstmeyer served as team captain for two seasons and was president of the school’s Student-Athlete Advisory Committee.

San Diego struggled as a team, going 7-24 overall. The Toreros’ top campaigns while Horstmeyer was on the team came in 2021-22 and 2022-23, when they earned postseason trips to the Women’s National Invitational Tournament.

San Diego’s 20-year coach Cindy Fisher stepped down at the season’s end and has been replaced by former Georgia Tech associate head coach Blanche Alverson.

“She is one who will stay in your heart forever,” Fisher said of Horstmeyer. “I would have five more years with her if I could. She was a special player for our program from Day One.”

Kylie Horstmeyer doesn’t shy away from bold decisions. When she was a senior in high school and COVID was wreaking havoc on prep basketball schedules, she left that winter to start her college career at San Diego. With college eligibility impacted by COVID as well, Horstmeyer was part of the San Diego program for five seasons.

Horstmeyer returned to her Redwood roots when she walked in the Giants’ graduation ceremony with the Class of 2021. As a junior during the 2019-20 season, Horstmeyer was named MCAL Player of the Year, averaging 19 points, 11 rebounds, three steals and one blocked shot per game.

Redwood won two league titles and reached two straight North Coast Section semifinals while Horstmeyer was a Giant. She also earned MCAL first-team honors as a sophomore and made the second team as a freshman.

Horstmeyer knows she can’t be too picky about where she plays, but hopes to land with a team in Germany. She is majoring in international studies with a minor in German. Two summers ago, she studied for four weeks in Austria, where she was only allowed to speak German, a move that “solidified” her decision to play abroad.

“She’s definitely capable of playing professionally,” said Fisher. “She’s a super unique kid. Caren has been a huge benefit for her and will give Kylie confidence.”

Horstmeyer says playing in the WNBA would be “fantastic” but believes she has a better chance to land with a pro team in Europe and Australia.

“I can’t see the WNBA in my future,” said Horstmeyer. “I’m at the perfect age — I’m in the mix. But I would definitely be satisfied playing abroad.”

Horstmeyer’s experiences as a pro player in Europe will be much different than her mom’s thanks to the benefits of the Internet, FaceTime and Google Translate. But some things will be similar and life-changing.

“She’ll be pushed out of her comfort zone, she’ll grow and she’ll build relationships that go far beyond basketball and last a lifetime,” said Caren Horstmeyer. “She’ll embrace different cultures, playing with and against people from all over the world — a gift most people never get.”