MEN’S BASKETBALL: Lamar ex Josh Nzeakor signs contract with German team
Published 7:37 pm Friday, July 12, 2019
BEAUMONT – A former member of the Lamar men’s basketball team has signed a contract to play overseas. Former All-Southland Conference selection Josh Nzeakor will take his talents to Germany to play for PS Karlsruhe.
The PS Karlsruhe Lions are located in Karlsruhe, Germany, and compete in the Pro A league. The Pro A is considered the country’s second division. The franchise was promoted from the third tier Pro B league in 2017. The team is part of the multi-sports club Post Sudstadt.
Nzeakor wrapped up his four-year career in Beaumont as one of the best players to walk to step on the court. He became just the 21st player in program history to score 1,000 points in his career and graduated ninth all-time at LU in terms of rebounds. In a career that consisted of 129 games played Nzeakor recorded 117 starters while averaging 10.5 points and 6.4 rebounds per game. He also shot 56 percent from the field (525-of-937, .560) and recorded 18 double-doubles during his time.
As a senior, Nzeakor played in and started all 32 games averaging 15 points per game while finishing third in the Southland Conference with 7.8 rebounds. He also ended the season ranked among the league leaders with eight double-doubles.
Nzeakor saved one of his best games for the end of his collegiate career. The Cardinals opened the conference tournament against Houston Baptist, and Nzeakor put the team on his back by scoring 25 points and pulling down 15 rebounds as Big Red advanced to the second round of the playoffs. In addition to keeping the season alive, Nzeakor’s efforts also secured LU’s 20th win of the season – the program’s first 20-win campaign since 2011-12.
Nzeakor guided the Cardinals to three consecutive seasons of at least 19 wins – the program’s longest run of success since the 1982-83 through 1984-85 seasons. The Cardinals won 69 games during his four seasons on campus and made two trips to the postseason.
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