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South Australians in Men's D1 College Hoops - Opening Day Update
Div 1 College basketball tipped off today!
We will try to track the South Aussies, their teams and Aussie team mates here over the coming few weeks as things get ramped up. If you are keen for ongoing updates let us know on the socials.
With Jacob Rigoni finishing a stellar career with Quinnipiac in the MAAC conference last season, where he surpassed 1000 career points, and set the record for all time made 3 pt shots and Lat Mayen also completing his career with High Major program Nebraska, South Australia now has the following;
playing D1 NCAA Men's basketball.
Jacob has joined former South Aussie Matt Dodson with the Duesseldorf Giants in the German Pro A League, Dodson isthe Assistant Coach of the team. Whilst Mayen is in his first year with the Cairns Taipans in the NBL.
PICTURED: Rigoni, who is currently in the German ProA league, career stats. He also captained his Quinnipiac team in 2021.
PICTURED: Last year UIW vs Purdue. Ben is an elite shooter at 6foot11 destined for the pros when he is done at college.
Benjamin Griscti, at 6foot11, who was a training player with the Adelaide 36ers in 2019-20, last year was actually the best 3 pt shooter above 6foot8 in all of college hoops, later in the 2021/22 season. Ben is another South Aussie who has impressed his coaching staff with his leadership and ability to keep a level head in the spotlight as a freshman starter last year. Showing he has elite potential in big games against big time programs in Baylor, Texas Tech and Purdue last season he is ready for an even bigger impact this year. Always working hard, this offseason was no different with regular visits and workouts to ShootHQ here in Adelaide where he fine-tuned his game to an even higher level. Today, UIW faced University of North Dakota, a school which some may remember was previously led by South Aussie Chris Clausen, who had a stellar career there, captaining the team in his junior and senior years. For the UIW it was a close one, going down by 8 pts, 65 to 57. Ben registering a good start with 27 mins of time, 5 rebounds and 8 pts.
Lachlan Olbrich who is an incredibly bright prospect, with a very high ceiling, having already had time with the Adelaide 36ers in 2021, had his first game of D1 College ball for real. Originally recruited to the program by David Patrick (who is now at Sacramento State as HC) new Head Coach Mike Magpayo is extremely excited for Lachie's prospects with the program. Playing pre-season games down under at home and the secret scrimmages never prepare kids fully for when the bright lights come on. First game against Pac12 school Colorado saw the UC Riverside team put up a solid effort, eventually going down by 16 pts. Lachie had 22 mins as a starter with 10 rebounds and 4 pts. As always for players with Lachie's talent and values we know that output will increase with more experience to build on this good first performance.
PICTURED: Lachie Olbrich starts his college career off the back of a big preseason campaign down under.
Over in Texas, Pittsburgh State transfer Cam Huefner had his first game of D1 College ball with a massive win vs South Aussie Anyang Garang's former school, and High Major program, the Oklahoma Sooners. Following his former AC at Pittsburgh State, Justin Bailey, over to Sam Houston in the offseason, Cam did not let down. Cam registering 17 mins in what was a massive upset win, in the buy game for Oklahoma, infront of just over 6000 fans. This game could catch the eyes of the Tournament selection committee come selection Sunday next year.
PICTURED: Sam Houston state with a massive win vs Oklahoma sooners.
Anyang is at UMBC this year. Another South Aussie in the America East Conference where guys like Pete Hooley have had a massive impact over the years. Today UMBC suffered a loss to Power School, Tulane. Anyang, who is back on the training court, coming back from an injury. UMBC are incredibly excited to get the Big 12 transfer on court. The hard working, quiet achieving graduate of NBA Global, has elite length athleticsm, skills and work ethic.
Whilst we are on South Aussies, special shout out to Nick Marshall who has just been elevated to the 36ers Roster today after Craig Randall was released. Well-deserved Nick!
Hope to update you all again in a weeks time.
