MIAMI SHORES, Fla. -- Barry University point guard Elvar Fridriksson signed his first professional contract with ASC Denain Voltaire in France.

"It's exciting to start my pro career in a good league," Fridriksson said. "I have talked to the coach, and he expects me to have a good role on the team on the team where I can use my passing and scoring skills."

The Buccaneers all-time assist leader, who capped his career with three All-America honors after leading Barry to the NCAA Division II Elite Eight for the second time in the last three years, will make his pro debut with the team former Barry great Yunio Barrueta competed for last season. Barrueta signed a two-year deal with Nancy Basket Pro Wednesday.

Both Denain and Nancy compete in the ProB League in France. Nancy is roughly four hours south of Denain.

"It definitely gives all of us a great deal of satisfaction and pride to see our players continue their career in the professional ranks," Barry head coach Butch Estes said. "Elvar has been one of the greatest players to play here at Barry. He's set up for life, even without basketball. Being able to play professionally will give him a great jumpstart for him and his family's security. We certainly wish him the best as he begins his professional career."

Fridriksson averaged a team-leading 19.8 points and 7.1 assists per game as a senior as the Bucs went 23-9, winning the NCAA South Region title for the second time in three years, and capturing the Sunshine State Conference regular season championship for the third straight year. He was named the SSC Player of the Year for the second straight season, in addition to collecting the Most Outstanding Player of the South Regional honor. He finished his career with a school-record 697 assists, and also holds the season record with 267 when he led the nation, and helped steer the Bucs to Elite Eight for the first time in program history.

"I spoke to Yunio about Denain, and he told me great things about it," Fridriksson said. "I wish I could play with Yunio because he is one of my favorite teammates I have ever had. But playing against him will be a challenge. He has gained some experience in Europe, and is doing great."

Barrueta averaged 12.8 points and 3 rebounds per game in helping Denain Voltaire capture the Leaders Cup -- France's version of a national championship for ProA and ProB leagues. In his first professional season, while with Okapai Aalstar in the Belgian Euromillions League, he averaged 11.9 points, 3.6 rebounds and one assist per game, while also earning League Player of the Week honors. 

"The confidence I developed coming out of Barry helped me in the transition to pro ball," Barrueta said. "My first two years, it was more about me getting used to the system. I'm a little more relaxed now. I understand the game. I've learned from my losses, and it's really about winning. My goal this year is to really help the team move up to ProA. Our goal is to win enough games to make that jump."

Barrueta set Barry's career points scored (1,781) and rebound (858) marks, and shattered the season scoring record (804) during the 2015-16 Elite Eight run. His 107 three-pointers that year also is a school record.

"I don't know that we've ever had a player work harder at his game than Yunio Barrueta," Estes said. "His continuous hard work paid off at Barry, and now is once again is paying off in his professional career."

In Estes' five seasons at Barry, with the addition of Fridriksson to the list,  the Buccaneers have sent nine players on to the pro ranks. More are expected this summer.

"Yunio and Elvar are two of the most decorated players we've had here Barry, and there plenty of great ones who've created a name for themselves in the Health & Sports Center," Estes said. "It's just very rewarding for me to see all of these guys succeeding in their professional careers, and we look forward to producing more great players in the years to come."

In the meantime, Barrueta and Fridriksson will suit up against each other in France. Denain beat Nancy twice during the regular season.

"I am looking forward to it," Fridriksson said, "and definitely excited to match up against Yunio."