NEWARK, NJ—Rayven Johnson, who led NJIT women's basketball to the 2013 Great West Conference championship in her final college game, will continue her career as a professional player starting on August 1 after she signed a contract to play for TK Hannover in Germany.

Johnson, who was named Great West Conference Tournament Most Valuable Player following NJIT's title win, completed her college career with 1,248 points (second all-time in NJIT's Division I era, which began in 2006 and fourth overall for a program that competed in Division II and Division III before moving to the NCAA's top level). Her 852 career rebounds are tops in the Division I era and second overall.

Rayven attended a two-day tryout with TK Hannover in Germany on June 24-25 and was offered a contract by the team soon thereafter.

"I am extremely excited!," Johnson commented on playing at the next level. "Playing overseas has been a goal of mine since I was younger and to actually be accomplishing that goal, is a surreal feeling."

TK Hannover (Turn Klubbe zu Hannover) is located in Northwestern Germany, approximately halfway between Berlin and Amsterdam.

Johnson, who graduated from NJIT in May with a business degree, hails from Rahway, NJ, and is a 2009 graduate of Bloomfield Tech High School.

She was a fine player throughout her college career, but her senior year was her best, as she led NJIT to the championship of the 2013 Great West Conference tournament and a 16-15 record, with the 16 wins representing the highest total for the program in Division I and the third-highest total in program history.

She earned All-Met (NY, NJ, CT) second-team honors from the Metropolitan Basketball Writers Association as one of the top 11 Division I players in the region after guiding the Highlanders in 2012-13.

"I am excited and so very proud of Rayven and her opportunity that she has earned to play professionally in Germany," head coach Steve Lanpher stated.  "Rayven earned this opportunity because of her relentless work ethic and perseverance throughout her collegiate career." 

The 5-foot-8 forward was named Great West Conference Tournament Most Valuable Player when she finished with 20 points and 18 rebounds as NJIT upset regular season champion Utah Valley in the championship game.  Her 18 rebounds in the finale were the most for an NJIT player in the Division I era.

Johnson led the 2012-13 Highlanders in both scoring (15.9) and rebounding (10.5) while reaching double-figure scoring in 24 out of 31 games and combining for 15 double-doubles.  She scored 36 points against Texas-Pan American, one shy the program Division I record.

Johnson was a first-team All-Great West Conference selection as a senior, repeating an honor she first won in 2011-12.

Coach Lanpher also added: "It was an honor to coach Rayven.  I know she will continue to shine as she begins her professional career abroad, just as she has done throughout her time at NJIT.  She will continue to represent herself, her family and the NJIT University in a positive manner."