DAVIS, Calif. - UC Davis men's basketball alum Paolo Mancasola signed a contract with Sport-Club Itzehoe, one of 25 teams in Germany's Pro B League, and will now compete professionally as the Eagles' point guard.

Mancasola is the second Aggie to sign a professional contract this summer. Former teammate Ryan Sypkens' inaugural season with the Aguilas de Tunja (Colombia) began on Aug. 1.

Located in Hamburg, Germany, Sport-Club Itzehoe's season will commence on Sept. 21.

"The expectation for this team is to win our league and move up to Pro A. As the starting point guard, I am expected to create plays for myself and my teammates," said Mancasola.

To prepare himself for the rigors of professional basketball, Mancasola lifted weights numerous times each week throughout the summer -- focusing on his lower body -- in addition to his daily basketball regimen.

Mancasola also participated in two summer pro-am leagues, one in Sacramento and another in San Francisco, to remain in peak physical condition.

"I expect the biggest challenge for me during this process is being so far from my friends and family. They are the rock in my life that I can lean on, and I owe this opportunity to their constant love and support.

"As hard as it will be for me being so disconnected from my loved ones, I'm really looking forward to the new and exciting experiences that this year has in store for me," added Mancasola.

Throughout his two years at UC Davis, the Redding, California native posted a .411 career field goal percentage and a collective 185 assists.

In his senior season, Mancasola was responsible for 125 of 434 assists earned by the Aggies throughout the year - nearly 30 percent of the team's total. That season, he finished fourth in the Big West Conference with a 3.9 assists per game average.

The Aggies' starting point guard in all 31 games played throughout the 2012-13 campaign, Mancasola helped UC Davis record a +9 improvement in overall victories earned compared to his junior season -- one of the top 10 win differentials in the nation.

Besides competing in his team's first-ever, nationally televised game from the Pavilion when ESPN broadcasted the Aggies home contest against Long Beach State, Mancasola helped UC Davis set three new program highs with its 14 overall, nine conference and six road victories.

Four months after that historic game against the 49ers, Mancasola graduated with a degree in psychology.