RICHMOND, Ky. – Former Eastern Kentucky University women's basketball forward
Joseana Vaz has signed a professional contract with Quinta dos Lombos in Portugal, the club announced Thursday.
Vaz becomes the 18th former Colonel to sign a professional basketball contract and the eighth player who played under head coach
Greg Todd currently active overseas.
She joins former EKU teammate
Ndidiamaka Ndukwe, who signed a professional contract in North Macedonia on Wednesday, as the second member of the 2025-26 team to join the professional ranks. A full list of #ColonelsInThePros can be found
online here.
Vaz helped Eastern Kentucky capture the 11th conference championship in program history during her lone season in Richmond.
The Praia, Cape Verde, native was named the 2026 Atlantic Sun Conference Newcomer of the Year after averaging a team-high 14.2 points and 6.7 rebounds per game. She started 28 of 29 games and shot 42.2 percent from the field.
Vaz emerged as one of the conference's top players during EKU's run to the ASUN regular-season title, helping the Colonels open league play with 12 consecutive victories and finish the season with a 25-9 overall record.
She scored in double figures 24 times, including five 20-point performances, while recording five double-doubles and one 30-point game.
Vaz opened her 2025-26 campaign with 21 points and 11 rebounds in a road win at Morehead State on Nov. 26. Two games later, she recorded 24 points and 12 rebounds against Big 12 opponent Arizona.
Later in the season, Vaz poured in a career-high 33 points on 12-of-19 shooting from the floor, including 4-of-8 from 3-point range, in a home win over rival Austin Peay on Feb. 7.
Vaz and the Colonels continued their season in the 2026 Women's Basketball Invitation Tournament, where EKU defeated No. 1-seed Utah, 72-58, at Baptist Health Arena in the opening round. The victory marked the first national postseason win in program history, with Vaz scoring 24 points and pulling down eight rebounds.
Vaz was a four-time ASUN weekly award recipient during the 2025-26 season, earning Newcomer of the Week honors three times and Player of the Week once.
She will now continue her career with Quinta dos Lombos, which competes in Liga Betclic Feminina, the highest level of women's professional basketball in Portugal.
Based in Carcavelos, Quinta dos Lombos reached the Liga Betclic Feminina championship series last season. The club advanced past Sporting CP and GDESSA Barreiro in the postseason before taking Benfica to a decisive fifth game in the league final.
Vaz is scheduled to join the club this fall ahead of the upcoming season.
