In the 2021/22 season, 17 Tar Heels are playing professionally overseas. This is the latest update on the Tar Heels Overseas with the latest statistics and highlights.
James McAdoo is in the Top 5 Scorers in the Japanese League, Justin Pierce had his revenge game in Germany, Reyshawn Terry took his team to the Final Four in Mexico, Isaiah Hicks is dominating the Korean Basketball League again and so much more.
Follow @britishtarheel on Twitter and @britishtarheel on Instagram for the latest updates on Tar Heels playing professionally overseas.
Subscribe to The Tar Heel Show on YouTube for podcast episodes with former UNC basketball players.
James McAdoo – Hitachi Sun Rockers (Japan)
James Michael McAdoo is in his second season in Japan and the 2x NBA Champion is having himself a season in Asia. JMM is in the Top 5 Scorers in the B-League, the top-tier of Japanese basketball and leads the league in steals.
McAdoo plays for the Hitachi Sun Rockers and currently sits 3rd in the Eastern Conference with a record of 10-4. JMM is averaging 21.1 PPG and 8.9 RPG, after putting up 10.92 PPG and 6.24 RPG last season, McAdoo means business.
Hitachi Sun Rockers beat Neophoenix twice earlier this month, the team of fellow Tar Heel, Justin Knox. McAdoo had a huge game with 31 points and 13 boards.
MOST RECENT GAMES:
64-69 (LOSS) vs Hiroshima Dragonflies
27 points, 9 rebounds, 4 assists and 3 steals in 40 minutes
82-69 (WIN) vs Hiroshima Dragonflies
20 points, 9 rebounds, 5 steals and 2 blocks in 33 minutes
70-64 (WIN) vs Neo-Phoenix
31 points, 13 rebounds and 5 steals in 33 minutes
| TEAM | SEASON | MPG | PPG | RPG | SPG |
| BESIKTAS (TURKEY) | 2019/20 | 20.7 | 8.55 | 6.64 | 1.15 |
| PARTIZAN BELGRADE (SERBIA) | 2019/20 | 11.6 | 8.0 | 3.0 | 0.56 |
| HITACHI SUN ROCKERS (JAPAN) | 2020/21 | 21.0 | 10.92 | 6.24 | 1.38 |
| HITACHI SUN ROCKERS (JAPAN) | 2021/22 | 31.5 | 21.1 | 8.9 | 2.21 |
Kennedy Meeks – Cholet Basket (France)
Kennedy Meeks is another player who has spent a few seasons in Asia but left this season to head to France in Europe. Meeks signed for Cholet Basket this summer to play in one of the best professional leagues in the world.
Meeks is finding his feet in France and has started the past two games. He also had his first Double-Double of the season a few weeks ago with 11 and 10.
MOST RECENT GAMES:
59-102 (LOSS) vs AS Monaco Basket
8 points, 2 rebounds and 2 steals in 18 minutes
81-105 (LOSS) vs Chorale Roaane
11 points, 10 rebounds and 1 assist in 23 minutes
91-79 (WIN) vs Limoges CSP
8 points, 5 rebounds, 1 assist and 1 block in 14 minutes
| TEAM | SEASON | MPG | PPG | RPG | BPG |
| LEVANGA HOKKAIDO (JAPAN) | 2019/20 | 34.1 | 20.97 | 10.87 | 1.23 |
| SEOUL SAMSUNG THUNDERS (SOUTH KOREA) | 2020/21 | 15.1 | 6.81 | 6.00 | 0.31 |
| CHANGWON LG SAKERS (SOUTH KOREA) | 2020/21 | 10.7 | 7.25 | 4.25 | 0.5 |
| CHOLET BASKET (FRANCE) | 2021/22 | 9.0 | 5.43 | 4.0 | 0.14 |
Marcus Paige – Orleans Loiret (France)
Marcus Paige went from Eastern Europe to Western Europe this summer after signing for Orleans Loiret in France. Paige is a big part of the French team’s rotation after averaging 33.6 MPG and leading his team in steals.
Orleans has struggled in the Jeep Elite League this season, they are currently 16th out of 18, but do have multiple winnable games coming up including against the 14th, 15th and 17th teams.
Marcus Paige was the latest guest to join The Tar Heel Show and you can listen to him talk about his career overseas, including his UNC Basketball 2021/22 Season Preview:
MOST RECENT GAMES:
95-81 (WIN) vs Nanterre 92
11 points, 3 assists, 3 rebounds and 1 steal in 36 minutes
74-99 (LOSS) vs ASVEL Basket
11 points, 2 assists, 1 rebound and 1 steal in 29 minutes
52-83 (LOSS) vs Fos Sur Mer
8 points, 3 assists and 1 steal in 37 minutes
| TEAM | SEASON | MPG | PPG | APG | SPG |
| PARTIZAN BELGRADE (SERBIA) | 2018/19 | 24.2 | 10.5 | 3.72 | 1.1 |
| PARTIZAN BELGRADE (SERBIA) | 2019/20 | 22.3 | 9.93 | 1.88 | 0.79 |
| PARTIZAN BELGRADE (SERBIA) | 2020/21 | 26.2 | 9.2 | 2.4 | 0.9 |
| ORLEANS LOIRET (FRANCE) | 2021/22 | 33.6 | 9.43 | 3.86 | 1.43 |
Isaiah Hicks – Seoul Samsung Thunders (South Korea)
Isaiah Hicks had a great 2020/21 season for Seoul Samsung Thunders, so it was decided he would extend his contract in South Korea. Hicks is playing even better than last year and will be hoping to help push his team up the standings.
Hicks is in the Top 5 Scorers in the Korean Basketball League, also one of the leading shot-blockers in the KBL. The 2017 NCAA Champion is having some great performances this season, including a win against rivals and current leaders of the KBL, Seoul SK, with 22 and 14 coming from Hicks himself.
Seoul Samsung Thunders are currently in 8th place with a record of 5-9.
MOST RECENT GAMES:
75-74 (WIN) vs Seoul SK
22 points and 14 rebounds in 28 minutes
67-78 (LOSS) vs Ulsan
24 points and 11 rebounds in 29 minutes
81-76 (WIN) vs Ulsan
29 points and 8 rebounds in 26 minutes
| TEAM | SEASON | MPG | PPG | RPG | BPG |
| AVTODAR SARATOV (RUSSIA) | 2019/20 | 28.3 | 12.86 | 6.71 | 2.0 |
| SEOUL SAMSUNG THUNDERS (SOUTH KOREA) | 2020/21 | 24.8 | 17.28 | 7.35 | 1.46 |
| SEOUL SAMSUNG THUNDERS (SOUTH KOREA) | 2021/22 | 24.7 | 18.79 | 7.57 | 1.21 |
Luke Maye – BAXI Manresa (Spain)
LUUUUUKKKKKKEEEEE! One of the most loved Tar Heels is getting attention in Manresa, Spain. Luke Maye signed for BAXI Manresa in the summer and is playing in probably the best professional league outside the NBA.
Maye has been coming off the bench for the Spanish side who are currently 6th in the Liga ACB. Maye is averaging 6.67 PPG this season but has averaged over 10 PPG in the Basketball Champions League.
BAXI Manresa has some big games coming up in the Liga ACB as they play the 3rd, 4th and 5th teams.
MOST RECENT GAMES:
86-75 (WIN) vs Rio Breogan
10 points, 3 rebounds and 1 steal in 17 minutes
72-67 (WIN) vs Pinar Karsiyaka
14 points, 9 rebounds and 2 assists in 17 minutes
82-90 (LOSS) vs Urbas Fuenlabrada
15 points, 4 rebounds and 1 steal in 21 minutes
| TEAM | SEASON | MPG | PPG | RPG | APG |
| TRENTO (ITALY) | 2020/21 | 25.2 | 11.61 | 5.98 | 1.24 |
| BAXI MANRESA (SPAIN) | 2021/22 | 15.6 | 6.67 | 3.0 | 0.83 |
Nate Britt – Yoast United (Netherlands)
Nate Britt took on a new challenge this season after signing for Yoast United in the newly founded BNXT League, the top-tiers of Dutch and Belgian basketball.
Britt is an important contributor to Yoast United, leading his team in assists, third in scoring and second in minutes and steals.
Britt is having himself a great season with scoring highs of 20 points and two games with 8 assists. Yoast United have a record of 2-5 in the 2021/22 season.
Britt has played in Scotland, Cyprus and Germany over the past few seasons.
MOST RECENT GAMES:
69-79 (LOSS) vs Feyenoord Rotterdam
9 points, 8 assists, 7 rebounds and 4 steals in 37 minutes
85-76 (WIN) vs Feyenoord Rotterdam
16 points, 4 assists, 3 rebounds and 1 steal in 38 minutes
81-87 (LOSS) vs Basketball Academie Limburg
18 points, 8 assists, 7 rebounds and 3 steals in 36 minutes
| TEAM | SEASON | MPG | PPG | APG | RPG |
| GLASGOW ROCKS (UNITED KINGDOM) | 2017/18 | 28.5 | 11.72 | 3.56 | 3.68 |
| OMONIA NICOSIA (CYPRUS) | 2019/20 | 33.7 | 14.52 | 3.62 | 4.14 |
| WIHA PANTHERS (GERMANY) | 2020/21 | 30.0 | 13.58 | 5.39 | 3.65 |
| YOAST UNITED (NETHERLANDS) | 2021/22 | 30.1 | 12.43 | 5.0 | 4.0 |
Deon Thompson – Casademont Zaragoza (Spain)
Deon Thompson found himself in his old stomping grounds of Spain again, after returning from his summer of playing in Puerto Rico.
Thompson reached the playoffs with Leones de Ponce, but they were knocked out with a shot from the opponents half from a buzzer-beater. Heartbreaking.
Thompson is back in the Liga ACB and will be hoping to help his new side, Zaragoza. Thompson has only played four games so far and will be hoping to improve the team’s record of 4-6.
MOST RECENT GAMES:
78-84 (LOSS) vs Joventut Badalona
10 points and 4 rebounds in 19 minutes
82-72 (WIN) vs Real Betis
7 points and 7 rebounds in 26 minutes
| TEAM | SEASON | MPG | PPG | RPG | SPG |
| UNICAJA MALAGA (SPAIN) | 2019/20 | 20.8 | 9.11 | 3.23 | 0.89 |
| UNICAJA MALAGA (SPAIN) | 2020/21 | 19.9 | 8.57 | 3.74 | 0.68 |
| LEONES DE PONCE (PUERTO RICO) | 2021 | 25.8 | 15.15 | 6.27 | 0.58 |
| CASADEMONT ZARAGOZA (SPAIN) | 2021/22 | 16.3 | 5.8 | 3.0 | 0.2 |
Ty Lawson – US Monastir (Tunisia)
Ty Lawson has recently signed for US Monastir in Tunisia, the runners up of the 2021 Basketball Africa League. Lawson recently left his team in Greece and could not work out a deal in Puerto Rico. Lawson is set to be the first former NBA player to play in the Basketball Africa League.
JP Tokoto – Hapoel Tel Aviv (Israel)
JP Tokoto was a high-flyer in Chapel Hill and has been replicating that in Israel the past few seasons.
Tokoto is in his second year with Hapoel Tel Aviv and is the leader in RPG for his side, as well as in the Top 3 Scorers.
JP will be hoping to improve on Hapoel Tel Aviv’s 2-4 start to the season, even with the big numbers he has been producing.
MOST RECENT GAMES:
67-62 (WIN) vs Hapoel Unet Holon
11 points and 15 rebounds in 38 minutes
76-90 (LOSS) vs Ironi Nez Ziona
9 points and 11 rebounds in 30 minutes
| TEAM | SEASON | MPG | PPG | APG | RPG |
| HAPOEL EILAT (ISRAEL) | 2018/19 | 28.1 | 13.42 | 3.18 | 7.61 |
| IRONI NES ZIONA (ISRAEL) | 2019/20 | 31.4 | 14.21 | 4.14 | 6.29 |
| HAPOEL TEL AVIV (ISRAEL) | 2020/21 | 28.1 | 13.64 | 4.57 | 5.29 |
| HAPOEL TEL AVIV (ISRAEL) | 2021/22 | 29.0 | 10.67 | 1.67 | 8.67 |
Jawad Williams – Yamagata Wyverns (Japan)
Jawad Williams signed for a new team this year in Japan and will be playing for Yamagata Wyverns in the second-tier of Japanese basketball. Yamagata is currently 9-4 and in 5th place.
Williams is now 38 years old and is not slowing down. He is the second-leading scorer on the team with 10.7 PPG and averaging over 24 MPG.
MOST RECENT GAMES:
67-65 (WIN) vs Bambitious Nara
19 points, 8 rebounds and 3 assists in 30 minutes
98-95 (WIN) vs Bambitious Nara
15 points, 5 rebounds and 1 assist in 15 minutes
61-67 (LOSS) vs Sendai 89ers
11 points, 6 rebounds, 1 steal and 1 block in 29 minutes
| TEAM | SEASON | MPG | PPG | RPG | APG |
| TOYOTA ALVARK (JAPAN) | 2018/19 | 23.6 | 10.42 | 4.31 | 1.27 |
| LINK TOCHIGI BREX (JAPAN) | 2019/20 | 14.1 | 7.16 | 2.89 | 0.58 |
| LEVANGA HOKKAIDO (JAPAN) | 2020/21 | 25.5 | 10.47 | 4.3 | 1.51 |
| YAMAGATA WYVERNS (JAPAN) | 2021/22 | 24.2 | 10.7 | 4.7 | 2.0 |
Justin Pierce – Wiha Panthers (Germany)
Justin Pierce has had a busy month, he was released by the VfL Kircheim Knights as it “didn’t work out”, a couple of weeks later he was picked up by the Wiha Panthers and then he played for the Wiha Panthers against the Kircheim Knights and was the leading scorer in the win, what a month!
If you follow Tar Heel International, you will recognise the Wiha Panthers as that was the team of Nate Britt’s last season. Pierce is on fire as of late and averaging over 18 PPG in the second-tier of German basketball.
Wiha Panthers are currently in 8th place with a 5-4 record, they finished in 6th last season and Pierce will be hoping to help take the Panthers to the playoffs.
MOST RECENT GAMES:
92-86 (WIN) vs Uni Baskets Paderborn
24 points, 3 rebounds and 1 assist in 36 minutes
78-72 (WIN) vs VfL Kircheim Knights
24 points, 6 rebounds and 2 assists in 37 minutes
96-85 (WIN) vs VFL Astrostars Bochum
20 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals and 1 block in 33 minutes
| TEAM | SEASON | MPG | PPG | RPG | APG |
| KOBRAT (FINLAND) | 2020/21 | 28.0 | 16.56 | 5.19 | 3.5 |
| VFL KIRCHEIM KNIGHTS (GERMANY) | 2021/22 | 27.0 | 8.67 | 7.33 | 1.67 |
| WIHA PANTHERS (GERMANY) | 2021/22 | 33.4 | 18.2 | 4.8 | 2.0 |
Brice Johnson – Toyama Grouses (Japan)
Brice Johnson, the former NBA player is one of four Tar Heels playing in Japan this season. Johnson plays for Toyama Grouses.
After a tough start to the season, the Grouses have a record of 4-10 after a three-win streak including two wins against Justin Knox’s Neophoenix.
Johnson has come off the bench this season in the top-tier of Japanese basketball and providing some big points and boards for his team.
MOST RECENT GAMES:
90-89 (WIN) vs Neophoenix
7 points, 7 rebounds and 2 assists in 12 minutes
92-77 (WIN) vs Neophoenix
12 points, 11 rebounds and 3 assists in 18 minutes
94-80 (WIN) vs Kyoto Hannaryz
11 points, 7 rebounds,2 assists, 1 steal and block in 15 minutes
| TEAM | SEASON | MPG | PPG | RPG | BPG |
| ORLANDINA (ITALY) | 2019/20 | 32.4 | 17.35 | 11.18 | 0.82 |
| CHORALE ROANNE (FRANCE) | 2019/20 | 25.4 | 13.29 | 5.43 | 0.43 |
| BUDIVELYNK (UKRAINE) | 2020/21 | 24.3 | 13.0 | 8.37 | 1.16 |
| TOYAMA GROUSES (JAPAN) | 2021/22 | 16.4 | 8.79 | 6.93 | 0.36 |
Kenny Williams – Kolossos Rhodes (Greece)
Kenny Williams has been on fire this season, with 4 out of 7 games that Williams has scored 4 or more three-pointers in a game.
Williams was known for heating up in the NBA G-League with the Austin Spurs and has now transitioned his game to overseas basketball.
Kolossos Rhodes are 5-2 this season.
MOST RECENT GAMES:
82-59 (WIN) vs GS Lavrio
16 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist and 1 steal in 32 minutes
85-82 (WIN) vs AEK Athens
14 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists and 1 steal in 32 minutes
88-81 (WIN) vs Ionikos Nikaias BC
21 points, 4 assists and 3 rebounds in 32 minutes
| TEAM | SEASON | MPG | PPG | APG | RPG |
| KOLOSSOS RHODES (GREECE) | 2021/22 | 32.3 | 14.0 | 2.71 | 3.29 |
Christian Keeling – BC Rustavi (Georgia)
Christian Keeling went from Georgia to Georgia this summer after signing for BC Rustavi in Eastern Europe.
Keeling proved last season at the Glasgow Rocks that he is a top scorer and that has continued with his new side. Keeling is averaging 19 PPG in Georgia.
MOST RECENT GAMES:
93-78 (WIN) vs Mega Tbilisi
25 points, 4 rebounds and 5 assists in 29 minutes
70-78 (LOSS) vs TSU Tbilisi
21 points, 7 rebounds and 3 assists in 34 minutes
| TEAM | SEASON | MPG | PPG | APG | RPG |
| GLASGOW ROCKS (SCOTLAND) | 2020/21 | 34.1 | 17.2 | 2.89 | 5.1 |
| BC RUSTAVI (GEORGIA) | 2021/22 | 29.8 | 19.0 | 2.5 | 4.8 |
Reyshawn Terry – Plateros de Fresnillo (Mexico)
Reyshawn Terry at 37 years old is in the Top 5 Scorers of the top-tier of Mexican basketball. Terry plays for Plateros de Fresnillo and finished 6th in the Mexican LNBP.
The 2005 NCAA Champion has been performing at a very high level this season and helped his team reach the Semi-Finals in the playoffs. Terry’s side lost 3-2 in the series.
MOST RECENT GAMES:
92-96 (LOSS) vs Fuerza Regia
13 points and 4 rebounds in 28 minutes
85-82 (WIN) vs Fuerza Regia
24 points and 8 rebounds in 32 minutes
| TEAM | SEASON | MPG | PPG | RPG | APG |
| ANYANG KGC (SOUTH KOREA) | 2018/19 | 32.0 | 20.67 | 9.64 | 1.33 |
| MINEROS DE ZACATECAS (MEXICO) | 2019/20 | 30.7 | 14.5 | 6.26 | 1.74 |
| PLATEROS DE FRESNILLO (MEXICO) | 2021/22 | 26.7 | 17.0 | 5.3 | 1.33 |
Justin Knox – Neo-Phoenix (Japan)
Justin Knox has faced two Tar Heels over the past month, Brice Johnson and James McAdoo. Sadly for Knox, his team wasn’t able to get a win in those games and is currently on a 6 game losing streak.
Knox did put up 18 points against McAdoo’s Hitachi Sun Rockers twice and 12 and 11 points against Johnson’s Toyama Grouses.
MOST RECENT GAMES:
89-90 (LOSS) vs Toyama Grouses
12 points and 3 rebounds in 30 minutes
80-91 (LOSS) vs Hitachi Sun Rockers
18 points and 6 rebounds in 34 minutes
| TEAM | SEASON | MPG | PPG | RPG | BPG |
| PALLACANESTRO TRIESTE (ITALY) | 2018/19 | 17.1 | 10.42 | 4.29 | 0.68 |
| TRENTO (ITALY) | 2019/20 | 22.1 | 10.57 | 5.19 | 0.59 |
| WONJU DONGBU PROMY (SOUTH KOREA) | 2020/21 | 21.6 | 13.94 | 6.78 | 0.69 |
| NEO-PHOENIX (JAPAN) | 2021/22 | 26.9 | 12.0 | 6.14 | 0.36 |
I hope you enjoyed this update on the Tar Heels Overseas, for the most up-to-date news, follow @britishtarheel on Twitter.
Have you listened to The Tar Heel Show? It’s a podcast with former UNC basketball players talking about their time in Chapel Hill and so much more.
The latest episode is with Marcus Paige and he talks about the current 2021/22 basketball season to share his excitement, as well as looking back on his UNC Basketball career and playing overseas in Serbia. Watch the episode below:
The Podcast is also available on many different platforms; YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Pocket Casts, RadioPublic, Castbox and Anchor FM.
Follow @britishtarheel on Twitter for all the updates on Tar Heels Basketball and subscribe to Tar Heel International.