Photo Gallery: MCC Men's Basketball Alumni
The Marshalltown Community College men's basketball team has had a rich tradition of sending players on to four year institutions and eventually the professional ranks, and the 2016 season has been no different. A number of former Tigers have had successful seasons throughout the past year.
Check out the list of former Tigers and where they are now:
Chris Caird (2010-13) – Tindastóll (Iceland): A staple in the European professional ranks, Caird has helped Tindastóll to a 9-2 record and first-place in the Dominos League. Caird is averaging 19.3 points per game and 4.0 rebounds per contest while shooting 52.7 percent from the floor. Caird has been a threat from three-point range, shooting 45.6 percent (41-90) from deep.
Will Clyburn (2008-10) – Darüşşafaka S.K. (Turkey): Playing in the top basketball league in Turkey under former NBA head coach David Blatt, Clyburn has helped his team get off to a 6-6 start on the year by averaging 13.2 points and 4.5 rebounds per game. Clyburn has been a consistent threat in the European leagues since finishing has collegiate career at Iowa State University.
WILL CLYBURN TO PLAY IN TOP TURKISH LEAGUE
Matej Delinac (2011-13) – Peru State University (NE): Delinac has found a new home for the Bobcats where he has started all 12 games this year. Delinac ranks third on the team with 13.6 points per game and 5.2 rebounds per game. Delniac scored a season-high 29 points against Missouri Valley on Nov. 16
Jamal Gatali (2012-14) – Moncton Miracles (Canada): Gatali was selected fifth overall in the inaugural All-Canadian Draft for the National Basketball League of Canada this fall. The team opens up the 2016-17 season on Dec. 26.
FORMER TIGER JAMAL GATALI SELECTED WITH NO. 5 OVERALL PICK IN NBL DRAFT
Merdic Green (2013-15) – Slippery Rock University (PA): After receiving a redshirt last season, Green has been a solid contributor for The Rock this season, after 9.6 points and 4.5 rebounds per game while starting all 11 contests. Green also hit this game-winning shot for Slippery Rock on Dec. 3:
MBK: Here's the final 8 seconds of The Rock's buzzer-beating 71-69 win over West Chester. pic.twitter.com/YgoFFNmqV8
— Rock Athletics (@Rock_Athletics) December 3, 2016
Jiri Hubalek (2004-05) – Andrea Costa Imola (Italy): A seasoned professional veteran, Hubalek is playing in the Italy-Serie A2 league where he is averaging 11.3 points and 3.8 rebounds.
Douglas Kurtz (2007-09) – Universo/Vitoria Salvador (Brazil): Kurt is the starting center for the 6-3 team where he is averaging 8.7 points per game and 4.8 rebounds per game. Kurtz was a two-time All-Region XI pick at MCC.
Vincent Lasley (2014-16) – Slippery Rock University (PA): After appearing in 58 career games at MCC, Lasley found a home at Slippery Rock where he has appeared in all 11 games this season. Lasley is currently averaging 4.0 points and 4.5 rebounds per contest while shooting 50.0 percent from the floor
Amir Maddred (2014-16) – Slippery Rock University (PA): Maddred has appeared in all games for The Rock this year and is averaging 7.5 points and 4.5 rebounds per game. He has scored in double-digits in three games this year, including a season-best 15 points against Daemen College on Nov. 25.
Christal Malalu (2014-16) – Slippery Rock University (PA): A two-year contributor at MCC, Malalu has been a force for Slippery Rock in his first season, especially as of late. In his last four games he has averaged 11.5 points and 12.0 rebounds with three double-doubles. He currently leads the team with 7.0 rebounds per game and a 63.6 percent shooting percentage on the year.
Tyler Miller (2014-16) – Western Kentucky University (KY): Miller was selected as a walk-on for the NCAA Division I program this season. In his first year, Miller has appeared in five games for the Hilltoppers.
Mike Rodriguez (2013-15) – Southern Illinois University: (IL): One of the most prolific scorers in MCC history, Rodriguez has had a strong final season for the Salukis. After earning Missouri Valley Conference All-Newcomer honors last season as a junior, Rodriguez is averaging a team-high 14.0 points 5.2 assists while starting all 12 games at the point guard position. Rodriguez appeared on Sportscenter's Top 10 with this highlight-reel play on Nov. 11:
Mike to Thik alley-oop made @SportsCenter Top 10.
— Saluki Athletics (@SIUSalukis) November 12, 2016
Watch » https://t.co/eURRUQ8gfA
(h/t: @jamfan40)
Paulius Sakinis (2014-16) – Peru State University (NE): A fan-favorite at MCC, Sakinis has appeared in all 12 games for the Bobcats while making four starts in his junior season. He is averaging 2.3 points and 2.8 rebounds per game.
Nilson Santana (2010-12) – Ponta Grossa Basquete (Brazil): Santana, a former All-Region XI pick at MCC is currently on the roster for Ponta Grossa. Santana recently played for Suzano and Universo, both professional teams in the Brazilian ranks.
Luiz Santos (2009-11) – Macae (Brazil): Since joining the professional ranks, Santos has been a dependable contributor on the Brazilian courts. A starter for Macae, Santos is averaging 8.6 points and 5.3 rebounds as his team is off to a 6-3 start in the Brazilian NBB.
Kenny Strong (2012-14) – Point Park University (PA): Strong is in his final collegiate season with the Pioneers. Strong has appeared in all 12 games, including five starts and is third on the team with 13.6 points per game. He has connected on 35 three-point shots.
Luis Valera (2006-08) – Isover Basket Azuqueca (Spain): An All-Region XI selection at MCC, Valera is a starter for Isover in the 2016-17 season where he has averaged 12.7 points and 8.0 rebounds in the Liga EBA. Valera played in Venezuela where he was an All-Venezuelan LNB Second-Team pick in 2014 before signing to play in Spain.
Guilherme Verardo (2013-16) – Slippery Rock University: A preseason injury sidelined Verardo, but he has appeared in all four games since returning and is averaging 4.5 points. A three-point specialist at MCC, Verardo has hit four threes in his return.
