Charles Bassey Explained

Charles Bassey
Position:Center / power forward
Height Ft:6
Height In:10
Weight Lb:230
League:NBA
Team:San Antonio Spurs
Number:28
Birth Date:28 October 2000
Birth Place:Lagos, Nigeria
High School:
College:Western Kentucky (2018–2021)
Draft Year:2021
Draft Round:2
Draft Pick:53
Draft Team:Philadelphia 76ers
Career Start:2021
Team1:Philadelphia 76ers
Years2:2021–2022
Team2:Delaware Blue Coats
Years3:–present
Team3:San Antonio Spurs
Years4:20222023
Team4:Austin Spurs
Highlights:

Charles A. Bassey (born October 28, 2000) is a Nigerian basketball player for the San Antonio Spurs of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He played college basketball for the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers. He was drafted by the Philadelphia 76ers in the 2021 NBA draft.

Early life

Bassey was born in Lagos, Nigeria, where he played soccer until age 12, standing 6feet at the time.[1] At that age, he was discovered by a youth basketball coach while Bassey was selling fried chicken on the side of a road and wearing flip-flops that were too small for him.[2] [3] He stopped playing soccer soon after, instead focusing on developing his basketball skills.[3] At age 14, Bassey was named most valuable player (MVP) of basketball camp Giants of Africa, a program established by Toronto Raptors executive Masai Ujiri.[2] [4]

High school career

At age 14, Bassey stood 6feet and moved to the United States to continue his basketball career at St. Anthony Catholic High School, a private school in San Antonio, Texas.[5] By then, recruiting analysts considered him one of the best prospects in his class.[6] [7] As a freshman, Bassey averaged 20.2 points, 17.1 rebounds and 5.9 blocks per game, leading his team to the Texas Association of Private and Parochial Schools (TAPPS) title game.[8] [9] Bassey competed in the Jordan Brand Classic International Game, where he was named MVP.[10] Before his sophomore season, Bassey was ruled ineligible by the TAPPS, with St. Anthony filing an appeal.[11] [12] He still made his season debut, and head coach Jeff Merritt was fired for playing an ineligible player.[13] St. Anthony withdrew from the TAPPS and joined the Texas Christian Athletic League, allowing Bassey to become eligible again.[14]

For his junior season, Bassey transferred to DeSales High School in Louisville, Kentucky and began playing basketball for Aspire Basketball Academy in Louisville. He made the decision after Hennssy Auriantal, his legal guardian and an assistant coach at St. Anthony, was dismissed from the program.[15] [16] As a junior, he averaged 19.4 points and 12.8 rebounds per game.[17]

Recruiting

Bassey was a consensus five-star recruit and one of the top centers in the 2018 class. On June 13, 2018, he reclassified to the 2018 class and committed to playing college basketball for Western Kentucky.[17]

College career

On November 18, 2018, Bassey recorded a freshman season-high 25 points and 10 rebounds in a 78–62 loss to UCF.[18] On January 31, 2019, he posted 22 points and 18 rebounds, the most rebounds by a Western Kentucky freshman since 1972.[19] As a freshman, Bassey averaged 14.6 points, 10 rebounds and 2.4 blocks per game, earning First Team All-Conference USA, Defensive Player of the Year and Freshman of the Year honors. He recorded the most rebounds, blocks and double-doubles by a freshman in program history.[20] Bassey's sophomore season was cut short by a tibial plateau fracture he suffered against Arkansas that required surgery. Through 10 games, he was averaging 15.3 points, 9.2 rebounds and 1.6 blocks per game.[21]

On November 26, 2020, Bassey recorded 21 points, 14 rebounds and a career-high seven blocks in a 75–69 win over Memphis.[22] On December 10, he had a career-high 29 points and 14 rebounds in an 86–84 victory over Gardner–Webb.[23] At the close of the 2020–21 regular season, he was named the Conference USA Player of the Year, while repeating as the league's Defensive Player of the Year. He averaged 17.6 points per game, 11.6 rebounds and 3.1 blocks per game.[24] Following the season, he declared for the 2021 NBA draft, forgoing his remaining college eligibility.[25]

Professional career

Philadelphia 76ers (2021–2022)

Bassey was selected in the second round of the 2021 NBA draft with the 53rd pick by the Philadelphia 76ers,[26] subsequently joining them for the 2021 NBA Summer League.[27] On September 24, 2021, he signed with the 76ers.[28]

On October 13, 2022, Bassey was waived by the 76ers.[29]

San Antonio Spurs (2022–present)

On October 24, 2022, the San Antonio Spurs announced that they had signed Bassey to a two-way contract, splitting time with the Spurs' NBA G League affiliate, the Austin Spurs.[30] He was named to the G League's inaugural Next Up Game for the 2022–23 season.[31] On February 14, 2023, the Spurs converted Bassey's deal to a four-year, $10.2 million standard contract.[32] [33] On March 14, 2023, during a 132–114 win over the Orlando Magic, he suffered a left knee injury. The next day, the Spurs announced that Bassey was diagnosed with a fracture of his left patellar tendon, ending his season.[34] In December 2023, Bassey tore his left anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), prematurely ending another season.[35] On July 8, 2024, Bassey was waived by the Spurs[36] only to be re-signed nine days later.[37]

Career statistics

NBA

Regular season

|-| style="text-align:left;"| | style="text-align:left;"| Philadelphia| 23 || 0 || 7.3 || .638 || .000 || .750 || 2.7 || .3 || .2 || .7 || 3.0|-| style="text-align:left;"| | style="text-align:left;"| San Antonio| 35 || 2 || 14.5 || .644 || .375 || .595 || 5.5 || 1.4 || .5 || .9 || 5.7|-| style="text-align:left;"| | style="text-align:left;"| San Antonio| 19 || 0 || 10.8 || .725 || .000 || .833 || 4.0 || 1.1 || .4 || .9 || 3.3|- class="sortbottom"| style="text-align:center;" colspan="2"| Career| 77 || 2 || 11.4 || .658 || .231 || .655 || 4.3 || 1.0 || .4 || .9 || 4.3

Playoffs

|-| style="text-align:left;"| 2022| style="text-align:left;"| Philadelphia| 3 || 0 || 4.0 || .500 || — || .000 || 1.7 || .3 || .0 || .3 || .7|- class="sortbottom"| style="text-align:center;" colspan="2"| Career| 3 || 0 || 4.0 || .500 || — || .000 || 1.7 || .3 || .0 || .3 || .7

College

|-| style="text-align:left;"| 2018–19| style="text-align:left;"| Western Kentucky| 34 || 34 || 31.4 || .627 || .450 || .769 || 10.0 || .7 || .8 || 2.4 || 14.6|-| style="text-align:left;"| 2019–20| style="text-align:left;"| Western Kentucky| 10 || 10 || 28.1 || .533 || .167 || .787 || 9.2 || 1.3 || .8 || 1.6 || 15.3|-| style="text-align:left;"| 2020–21| style="text-align:left;"| Western Kentucky| 28 || 28 || 30.4 || .590 || .305 || .759 || 11.6 || .7 || .4 || 3.1 || 17.6|- class="sortbottom"| style="text-align:center;" colspan="2"| Career| 72 || 72 || 30.5 || .596 || .319 || .768 || 10.5 || .8 || .6 || 2.6 || 15.9

Personal life

Shortly after arriving in the United States at age 14, Bassey's mother died. At the time, Bassey considered moving back to Nigeria, but his father Akpan Ebong Bassey encouraged him to stay for financial reasons.[7] [38] [39]

Canadian-born basketball coach, Hennssy Auriantal, who runs the Yes II Success organization that brings international players to American private schools, helped bring Bassey to the United States.[1] [40] On March 31, 2017, Auriantal and his wife were granted conservatorship over Bassey.[39] Bassey's father later filed a petition to reopen the case and give Nigerian basketball tournament organizer John Faniran custody over his son, but the petition was dropped due to lack of verification.[9] [39]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Estes . Gentry . How one of the nation's top 2019 prospects, Charles Bassey, ended up playing in Louisville . . June 19, 2018 . February 14, 2018.
  2. Web site: Rosser . Evan . All Access: In Africa with Raptors GM Masai Ujiri . . June 19, 2018 . October 11, 2015.
  3. Web site: Charles Bassey: From Selling Fried Chicken In Nigeria At Age 12 To Top Prospect In Four Years . . June 19, 2018 . January 9, 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180618232811/http://www.lex18.com/story/34215173/charles-bassey-from-selling-fried-chicken-in-nigeria-at-age-12-to-top-prospect-in-four-years . June 18, 2018 . dead .
  4. Web site: Hickman . Jason . 6-foot-10 Nigerian import Charles Bassey could be high school basketball's best freshman . . June 19, 2018 . November 20, 2015.
  5. Web site: Hille . Bob . 5-star C Charles Bassey commits to WKU, reclassifies to class of 2018 . . June 20, 2018 . June 14, 2018.
  6. Web site: Burlison . Frank . My Top 35, and more, Pangos Frosh/Soph wrap-up . Burlison on Basketball . June 20, 2018 . November 12, 2015.
  7. Web site: Harvey . Buck . The next Shaq? Road runs through San Antonio again . . June 20, 2018 . October 31, 2015.
  8. Web site: Harris . Don . Move over Shaq, meet San Antonio's next basketball superstar . . June 20, 2018 . February 26, 2016.
  9. Web site: Zuvanich . Adam . Ticket to the top . . June 20, 2018 . June 23, 2017.
  10. Web site: Halley . Jim . Nigerian Charles Bassey makes up for late start, lifts Black team in International game at Jordan Classic . USA Today High School Sports . June 20, 2018 . April 15, 2016.
  11. Web site: Bossi . Eric . Nation's top sophomore Charles Bassey ruled ineligible . . June 22, 2018 . November 17, 2016.
  12. Web site: Zuvanich . Adam . St. Anthony names ineligible players, awaits response from TAPPS . . June 22, 2018 . November 18, 2016.
  13. Web site: Zuvanich . Adam . St. Anthony fires coach for playing ineligible Bassey . . June 22, 2018 . December 1, 2016.
  14. Web site: Marquez . RJ . Charles Bassey, other players now eligible as St. Anthony HS leaves TAPPS . . June 22, 2018 . December 6, 2016.
  15. Web site: Zuvanich . Adam . St. Anthony coach Hennssy Auriantal dismissed after Charles Bassey controversy . . June 22, 2018 . July 25, 2017.
  16. Web site: Zuvanich . Adam . Boys basketball: Aspire Academy introduces former St. Anthony players . . June 22, 2018 . August 26, 2017.
  17. Web site: Borzello . Jeff . Charles Bassey commits to Western Kentucky, reclassifies to 2018 . . July 28, 2021 . June 13, 2018.
  18. Web site: UCF beats WKU 78-62 for Myrtle Beach title . . July 28, 2021 . November 18, 2018.
  19. Web site: Surging Bassey Wins Sixth C-USA Freshman of the Week Award . Western Kentucky University Athletics . July 28, 2021 . February 4, 2019.
  20. Web site: Stephens . Brad . Bassey climbing up Hilltopper freshman record lists . . July 28, 2021 . January 25, 2019.
  21. News: Borzello . Jeff . Western Kentucky's Charles Bassey out with tibia fracture . December 10, 2019 . . December 9, 2019.
  22. Web site: MacDonald . Jared . Bassey's Back: Hilltoppers beat Memphis to advance to Crossover Classic final . . December 2, 2020 . November 26, 2020.
  23. Web site: Kim . David J. . Charles Bassey scores career-high 29 points, helps WKU escape Gardner-Webb with a win . . July 28, 2021 . December 10, 2020.
  24. MBB: Superlative Awards Announced. . March 9, 2021 . March 9, 2021.
  25. Web site: Givony . Jonathan . Western Kentucky center Charles Bassey entering 2021 NBA draft . . July 28, 2021 . April 1, 2021.
  26. Web site: Marc. Narducci. Sixers second-round pick Charles Bassey willing to show he has a shot. The Philadelphia Inquirer. July 31, 2021. August 3, 2021.
  27. Web site: Philadelphia 76ers 2021 MGM Resorts NBA Summer League Roster. NBA.com. September 24, 2021.
  28. Web site: 76ers Sign Second-Round Pick Charles Bassey. NBA.com. September 24, 2021. September 24, 2021.
  29. Web site: Keith. Pompey. Sixers waive Charles Bassey and Isaiah Joe as they work to get roster to 15 players. The Philadelphia Inquirer. October 13, 2022. October 13, 2022.
  30. Web site: Landon. Pederson. SPURS SIGN CHARLES BASSEY TO TWO-WAY CONTRACT. NBA.com. October 24, 2022. May 24, 2023.
  31. Web site: Wolves' Garza And Ignite's Henderson Named Captains For NBA G League Next Up Game. NBA.com. February 7, 2023. March 8, 2023.
  32. Web site: Cassidy. Haffner. SPURS CONVERT CONTRACT OF CHARLES BASSEY. NBA.com. February 14, 2023. May 24, 2023.
  33. Web site: Zach. Dimmitt. Spurs Sign Charles Bassey to New Deal: Full Details. SI.com. February 14, 2023. February 14, 2023.
  34. Web site: Tom. Orsborn. Charles Bassey's injury puts damper on Spurs' record-setting night. San Antonio Express News. March 15, 2023. March 15, 2023.
  35. Web site: Ben. Stiner. BREAKING: San Antonio Spurs Player Ruled Out For Remainder Of Season. SI.com. December 12, 2023. December 12, 2023.
  36. Web site: Spurs Acquire Harrison Barnes. NBA.com. July 8, 2024. July 8, 2024.
  37. Web site: sasmcasey. Spurs Re-Sign Charles Bassey. NBA.com. July 17, 2024. July 18, 2024.
  38. Web site: Nike Hoop Summit, World Team notebook: Florida commit Andrew Nembhard is a wizard with the ball . . June 20, 2018 . April 11, 2018.
  39. Web site: Zuvanich . Adam . St. Anthony coach wins custody battle over Bassey . . June 22, 2018 . July 14, 2017.
  40. Web site: Klibanoff . Eleanor . Louisville's Aspire Academy splits with partner school, controversial recruiter . . June 22, 2018 . June 22, 2018.