VANCOUVER – It's been a summer like no other for the UBC Thunderbirds men's basketball program and for three graduating seniors in particular who are all joining the pro ranks, a first in team in history.
Not long after the 2017-18 U SPORTS season came to a close, three-time Canada West all star
Conor Morgan signed his first professional contract with the Southland Sharks in New Zealand's NBL. His immediate success down under has now propelled him into one of the top basketball leagues in the world having inked a deal with Joventut Badalona of Spain's ACB league.
Joining Morgan on the Iberian peninsula this fall is fellow 2018 graduate
Phil Jalalpoor who will play for CB Clavijo in the LEB Oro in the second division of the Spanish basketball league.
Also playing in Europe this coming season will be Vancouver native and five-year Thunderbird forward
Luka Zaharijevic who has signed with BK NH Ostrava in the Czech National Basketball League.
It's the first time three graduating players from the same class have advanced from the T-Birds to the pros, a big testament to the opportunities that can be provided by playing on the War Memorial Gym court.
"The three guys that graduated for us are all getting an opportunity to play professionally so that trifecta is something we're really proud of," said UBC head coach
Kevin Hanson who has seen many of his players go on to play professionally, but never a group quite like this.
Currently preparing with the Sharks for the league's final four taking place in Wellington this weekend, Morgan finished the NBL regular season averaging 15.2 points per game, third highest on the team, while shooting 48.1 per cent from the field with 6.1 rebounds per game. It's the type of performance that earned him a spot with one of the leading clubs in Europe's top professional league.
"This opportunity in New Zealand was a great one as it allowed me to have a transition period into professional basketball giving me ample amounts of opportunity to stay in shape and also get much better," said Morgan. "I have always believed in myself on the basketball floor and hoped for an opportunity like this one. The club that I play for is very professional and the team culture is much like a university team which is not common for the pro level. Overall this experience down here has shown me how much of a business basketball really is at this level and how I can use that as motivation."
"There's something special about him and to be able to play on one of the top teams in one of the top leagues in the world, it's a special opportunity," added Hanson. "His pro career is going to be a process and that first baby step turned into a huge step for him. It's great to see the love and passion he has for basketball has taken him to one of the top leagues. It will be a big adjustment for him but he's a special player. We're thrilled to have had him in our program and thrilled for what his future holds."
It's been a whirlwind past year for Morgan. Named Canada West Player of the Year for the second straight season, he competed with team Canada at the 2018 Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast of Australia in April, winning a silver medal. Just weeks later he began his professional career in New Zealand. While focussing on winning a championship with the Sharks, he will soon be getting ready for his first season in Spain which gets underway in late September.
"The last few months have been insane for me. The biggest thing for me is I want to gain the most out of basketball that I can. Money is good, but for me it is not everything. I enjoy changes to environments, meeting new people and at this point in my life, traveling the world! Living in Spain is a very fortunate way for me to start my career and I thank Joventut for giving me the opportunity to do so."
Jalalpoor is also coming off an impressive final U SPORTS season finishing second on the 'Birds only to Morgan in points per game with 17.7. The Schifferstadt, Germany native was recognized for his outstanding career at the 2018 Big Block awards earning the Bobby Gaul trophy as UBC's outstanding graduating male athlete.
"Phil is another example of a special person that came to our program," said Hanson. "He finished a four year degree in three and a half years, the guy speaks four languages, he's an Academic All-Canadian. He played very well for us and we're very happy that we had the chance to have him in our program and to see him succeed is just a wonderful feeling for the team."
Zaharijevic joins BK NH Ostrava coming off another strong Canada West season in which he led the entire conference in shooting percentage at a remarkable 61.1 per cent, the second straight year he was tops in the category.
"He's such a big body, it will take awhile to adjust to the international game especially at his position but he's really dedicated himself the last few months," said Hanson. "Luka is such a great part of our program, been a great ambassador for our program, every teammate he's had has loved him and everyone is so happy that he's getting this opportunity."
