The San Antonio Silver Stars announced today that they have signed 2003 Women’s European Player of the Year Agnieszka Bibrzycka to a one-year contract. Per team policy terms of the deal have not been released. Bibrzycka, better known as “Biba” (BEE-bah), is currently playing in Poland for Lotos VBW Clima Gdynia alongside her new Silver Stars teammate Margo Dydek.

Bibrzycka was voted European Player of the Year by the prestigious Italian sports paper La Gazetta dello Sport. She beat out Russian star Elena Baranova and Belgian standout Ann Wauters, who both play for the WNBA’s New York Liberty. Dallas Mavericks All-Star Dirk Nowitzki earned European Player of the Year honors for the men.

“We are blessed to have the opportunity to sign Biba. She is a huge acquisition for us,” Silver COO Clarissa Davis-Wrightsil said. “She is a great young talent who has the size and athleticism to play the guard and small forward positions in the WNBA. With the recent retirement of Jennifer Azzi, we needed to find a player who could spread the defense. Biba will fit in perfect with our team. Signing her adds one more important piece to building a championship caliber team. She was well worth the trip to Europe for Coach Brown and me."

Bibrzycka, a 6’2” guard/forward, played for the Polish International Team in the 2001 and 2003 European Championship for Women. During the 2003 championships, she led Poland to a fourth place finish averaging 16.1 points, 5.0 rebounds and 1.4 assists per game. In 1998 and 2000 Bibrzycka represented Poland at the European Championship for Junior Women. In the final round of the 2000 championships she averaged 15.8 points 5.6 rebounds and 2.6 assists. Bibrzycka also represented Poland in the 1998 European Championship for Junior Women averaging 5.6 points and 1.3 rebounds.

“Adding a player of Biba’s caliber puts us in a position to challenge for a championship this season and also for years to come,” Silver Stars Head Coach Dee Brown said. “She has oustanding three-point range and has a nice mid-range game, and is very competitive on both ends of the court. Having the opportunity to see her play in person last week in Poland, I know that she is a player that will have a bright future with the Silver Stars and in the WNBA.”

Bibrzycka currently has Lotos VBW Clima Gdynia in the 2004 FIBA EuroLeague Women’s playoffs. During the qualifying round she led her team in scoring, averaging 17.4 points, 3.4 rebounds and 1.1 assists per game. She earned EuroLeague Player of the Week honors on Nov. 7, 2003, for scoring 25 points and grabbing four rebounds in an 89-83 win over Ros Casares Valencia. In 2003, Bibrzycka averaged 14.3 points and 3.5 rebounds while guiding Lotos VBW Clima Gydnia to the EuroLeague quarterfinals. Bibrzycka was also a member of the 2002 Lotos VBW Clima Gdynia squad that lost in the EuroLeague Championship game.

The Silver Stars will continue to prepare for the 2004 WNBA Draft which will be held in April and the upcoming 2004 WNBA season. Fans interested in purchasing Silver Stars season tickets can do so by calling 444-5050 for tickets and information. Full-season ticket prices are $132.30, $276.30, $366.30 and $564.30, while the 10-Game Weekend Pak (Friday, Saturday and Sunday games only) prices are $83.50, $163.50 and $233.50