GOSHEN, Ind. - Eight months after becoming Goshen College (Ind.) men's basketball's all-time scoring leader and five months after earning the program's first-ever NAIA DII First Team All American selection, Errick McCollum II is officially starting his professional career later this month.

The Canton (Ohio) native signed his first professional contract this weekend with Barak Netanya of the Israeli Super League, Israel's top flight of basketball.

"It is a blessing to have the opportunity to extend my career and showcase my abilities at the highest level in Israel," the 6-foot-2 guard said.  "I've heard nothing but great things about the league, its teams and the competition, which should definitely bring out the best in me.  I will continue to work diligently, stay hungry, and humble as I strive to raise my game to a higher level."

Barak Netanya was 13-9 in the 2009-10 regular season and reached the Super League semifinals, where they lost to European power Maccabi Tel Aviv.  The season before, Netanya won the National League (2nd Division) title with an impressive 33-1 mark earning its promotion to the top league.

"I could not be more excited for ‘E' as he was worked incredibly hard over the last several years to put himself in a position to make a living playing basketball," said Goshen head coach Gary Chupp.  "Initially we thought he would need to begin in the second division in Israel and play himself into the top league.  To begin his professional career playing with the likes of Raymar Morgan from Michigan State and Denis Clemente of Kansas State is an incredible opportunity and I have no doubt he will make the most of it."

McCollum signed a one year deal with a team option for the second season.  He departs for Israel on August 19 to begin training camp with the regular season starting in late October.  The league playoffs extend into early June.

"I'm also excited that E will get a chance to immerse himself into another culture," Chupp explained.  "I'm sure it will be an adjustment for him, but knowing what kind of character E possesses, I'm sure he will fit in great."

Netanya is a town of 180,000 people about 18 miles north of Tel Aviv.  Its nine miles of beach along the Mediterranean Sea have made it a popular tourist destination where English is commonly spoken.

"I'm excited to get to Israel and develop a rapport with my new teammates, but my heart will always be home and at Goshen College as I will miss those close to me, including my teammates from the past couple years," McCollum added.

His teammates and Maple Leaf fans will certainly miss him as well.  His impact on the program was felt immediately as he was selected as the Mid-Central College Conference Newcomer of the Year after 18.5 points and 5.3 rebounds a game as a freshman.

After two more standout seasons in which he was named First Team All MCC and NAIA All American Honorable Mention, McCollum had an even better senior year.  He averaged 25.6 points, 7.1 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2.7 steals on way to MCC Player of the Year and NAIA All American First Team honors.  He graduated as the program leader in scoring with 2,789 points as well as appearing in Goshen's top 10 in nearly every statistical category.

"Playing professionally has always been a dream of mine and I'm thankful for the opportunity.  My younger brother and I have been training and working to prepare ourselves for this moment.  I feel like I am ready."