INDIANAPOLIS - Former IUPUI standout guard Darell Combs recently inked a deal to play professionally for the Roseto Sharks in Italy's second division. Combs had an NBA workout with the Washington Wizards this past summer and will be a rookie this upcoming season.

"I'm at a loss for words," Combs said. "I'm just truly blessed and thankful for the opportunity Coach Gardner and IUPUI gave me.

"I've been working hard and more than anything, I'm just ready to get going."

Combs was named honorable mention All-Summit League last year after averaging 16.8 points, 2.9 assists and 2.4 rebounds per game while playing a team-high 32.2 minutes per contest. The 6-foot-2 guard connected on 63 threes and a team-high 100 free throws at a 75 percent clip. The Chicago-native became the 23rd member of IUPUI's 1,000 Point Club in the regular season finale against South Dakota on Feb. 25. He closed his career ranked 22nd on the program's all-time scoring list with 1,042 points in an IUPUI uniform.

Combs spent the bulk of the summer working out in his hometown of Chicago, both on the floor and in the gym. He is represented by Future Sports Management and participated in an NBA Pro Day in Miami over the summer as well. He is IUPUI's second player to ink a rookie deal this offseason as Matt O'Leary signed to play in Spain earlier this fall. 

"I'm really proud of 'Rell for his work and attitude going forward. He finished with the right mindset and then made it his goal to continue to play at a high level. That hard work is paying off and now I look forward to him being a successful overseas player," IUPUI Head Coach Jason Gardner said. "He has the skills to be a really good player. Now it's up to him to continue to work hard and continue to work on different facets of his game."

Combs will wear No. 1 for the Sharks. 

He is one of many former Jaguars continuing to play professionally, joining a group that includes current NBAer George Hill and overseas standouts Robert Glenn, Alex Young and Marcellus Barksdale.