Naz Mitrou-Long Explained

Naz Mitrou-Long
Height M:1.95
Weight Kg:94
League:Greek Basket League
EuroLeague
Team:Olympiacos
Number:8
Birth Date:3 August 1993
Birth Place:Mississauga, Ontario, Canada
Nationality:Canadian / Trinidadian / Greek
High School:
College:Iowa State (2012–2017)
Draft Year:2017
Career Start:2017
Years1:2017
Team1:Salt Lake City Stars
Years2:
Team2:Utah Jazz
Years3:2017–2019
Team3:→ Salt Lake City Stars
Team4:Indiana Pacers
Years5:2019–2020
Team5:Fort Wayne Mad Ants
Years6:2021
Team6:Fort Wayne Mad Ants
Years7:2021–2022
Team7:Germani Brescia
Years8:2022–2023
Team8:Olimpia Milano
Years9:2023
Team9:Žalgiris Kaunas
Years10:2023–present
Team10:Olympiacos
Highlights:

Nazareth Jersey Mitrou-Long (born August 3, 1993) is a Canadian-Greek professional basketball player for Olympiacos of the Greek Basket League and the EuroLeague. He played college basketball for the Iowa State Cyclones. Born in Mississauga, Ontario, he played high school basketball at Father Michael Goetz in his hometown. In 2012, he started playing college basketball for Iowa State. He played in the 2017 NBA Summer League for the Sacramento Kings. He later played a total of 20 regular-season games with the Utah Jazz and the Indiana Pacers.

High school career

One of the top prospects out of Canada, Long was ranked as the 7th-best player in Canada according to North Pole Hoops. He participated in the 2011 All-Canada Classic, a showcase of the best Canadian basketball players and played for the CIA Bounce AAU program, the top AAU summer circuit in Canada. He played with NBA players Tristan Thompson and Cory Joseph, and future Cyclone teammate Melvin Ejim while competing for REDA Red in the National Prep School Athletic Association in 2011–12. Naz played for Findlay Prep in Las Vegas, Nev., during the 2010–11 season, helping the Prep Pilots to a 28–4 record and their third-straight ESPN Rise National High School Invitational appearance where he was teammates with Texas' Myck Kabongo. He prepped at Montrose Christian (Rockville, Md) in 2009–10, teaming with Duke's Josh Hairston During his recruitment he received offers from Rice, Dayton, Creighton, and Miami, eventually committing to the Iowa State Cyclones.

College career

Freshman season

Naz saw action in 18 games as a freshman, averaging 1.4 points and 1.0 assists. He tallied seven points vs. Southern and handed out seven assists vs. Alabama A&M.

Sophomore season

Long played in all 36 games, making seven starts and establishing himself as a clutch 3-point threat. He averaged 7.1 points per game and shot 40 percent from behind the arc, finishing fourth in the Big 12 in 3-point field goal percentage (40.0) and seventh in 3-pointers made (1.8). His 64 3-pointers ranks as the 17th-most by a Cyclone in a single season. He made at least four 3-pointers in seven games. He hit a 30-foot three at the buzzer to send the Cyclones to overtime against Oklahoma State[1] and in ISU's game at Oklahoma State earlier in the season, Long drilled a three to send the game to triple-OT.[2] He earned Phillips 66 Big 12 Player of the Week honors after hitting 8-of-11 3-pointers in the Cyclones' season-opening win against UNC Wilmington and finishing with a career-high 26 points in the game.[3] He went 4-of-6 from long range to score 16 points in the Cyclones' win against No. 7 Michigan. Long played a key role in ISU's Big 12 Tournament run, making 7-of-10 threes and averaging 10 points and going 4-of-6 from behind the arc in the championship game against Baylor. In the third round of the NCAA Tournament, Long hit three 3-pointers in the final 5:10, including one that tied the game at 81, as ISU rallied to defeat North Carolina.[4] He averaged 7.1 points per game and shot 40 percent from behind the arc, finishing fourth in the Big 12 in 3-point field goal percentage (40.0) and seventh in 3-pointers made (1.8). His 64 3-pointers ranks as the 17th-most by a Cyclone in a single season.

Junior season

Long saw action in all 34 games, making 33 starts and hit four or more threes in a game six times. He scored a team-high 20 points in Iowa State's regular season win against Kansas and connected on 5-of-9 threes to lead Iowa State with 21 points in win at Iowa.[5] He drilled 7-of-10 threes and scored a season-high 24 points against Mississippi Valley State.[6] Naz grabbed a career-high seven boards in win against Texas. He averaged 10.1 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 2.0 assists. He hit a team-high 77 three-pointers, the eighth most in a single season by a Cyclone. He was second in the Big 12 averaging 2.3 three-pointers made per game and finished the season tied for fifth in the league shooting 39.1 percent behind the arc. Naz had ISU's third-longest streak of games with a three-pointer come to an end at 21 games. He shot 44.9 percent from the field despite 77.5 percent of his shots coming from three-point range and is tied for fifth all-time at Iowa State with 146 three-pointers made. Long suffered a labral tears in both of his hips during the season. In the offseason he had separate surgeries to repair each tear.[7]

Senior season

Naz played in the first eight games this season for the fifth-ranked Cyclones, averaging 12.0 points in 31.6 minutes. He got a rest against Arkansas–Pine Bluff, with coach Steve Prohm commenting that his situation would be re-evaluated every week.[8] On 15 December 2015, he decided to sit out the rest of the season due to persistent pain from his hip surgeries.[9] Mitrou-Long commented on his decision: "I feel the need to take time off to allow myself to rehab with our training staff to get back to where I can perform at my peak level on the basketball court".[10] Iowa State coach Prohm supported Mitrou-Long's decision to sit out to rehabilitate, while adding his belief that the team could react in a positive manner. Naz was awarded a medical redshirt by the Big 12, thus becoming eligible for the 2016–2017 season.[11]

Redshirt senior season

Going into his redshirt senior season, Long was named in the preseason All-Big 12 Second-Team,[12] receiving praise from coach Prohm for his work ethic, maturity and leadership.[13] Former teammate Jameel McKay commented before the season that Mitrou-Long looked in the best shape of his life, also stating that he could end up Big 12's leading scorer for the season.[14] He started the season strong, posting his first career double-double against the Savannah State Tigers with 18 points and a career best 10 rebounds.[15] Versus Mount St. Mary's Mountaineers, Mitrou-Long played against his younger brother Elijah Long, a sophomore for the Mountaineers; Mitrou-Long said after the game: "Part of me wanted to cheer for him. Part of me was keeping it competitive. It was a little weird, but man it was a good time".[16] Against the Drake Bulldogs, Mitrou-Long set a new career-high in scoring with 37 points on 8 of 12 three-pointers.[17] At the end of his redshirted senior season, Mitrou-Long would be named for the official All-Big 12 Second Team for the work he put in that year for Iowa State.

College statistics

|-| style="text-align:left;"| 2012–13| style="text-align:left;"| Iowa State| 18 || 0 || 6.9 || .348 || .278 || 1.000 || .8 || 1.0 || .3 || .0 || 1.4|-| style="text-align:left;"| 2013–14| style="text-align:left;"| Iowa State| 36 || 7 || 20.3 || .432 || .400 || .643 || 1.6 || 1.1 || .2 || .1 || 7.1|-| style="text-align:left;"| 2014–15| style="text-align:left;"| Iowa State| 34 || 33 || 27.5 || .449 || .391 || .755 || 2.9 || 2.0 || .8 || .1 || 10.1|-| style="text-align:left;"| 2015–16| style="text-align:left;"| Iowa State| 8 || 8 || 31.6 || .425 || .291 || .600 || 2.9 || 1.9 || .6 || .3 || 12.0|-| style="text-align:left;"| 2016–17| style="text-align:left;"| Iowa State| 35 || 35 || 33.3 || .473|| .384 || .795 || 4.6 || 2.7 || 1.2 || .0 || 15.1|- | style="text-align:center;" colspan="2"|Career| 131 || 83 || 24.5 || .451 || .380 || .751 || 2.7 || 1.8 || .7 || .1 || 9.5

Professional career

Salt Lake City Stars (2017)

After going undrafted in the 2017 NBA draft, Mitrou-Long played for the Sacramento Kings in the 2017 NBA Summer League. He later signed with the Utah Jazz for their training camp squad. After getting cut from the team, he was assigned to the Salt Lake City Stars in the NBA G League.

Utah Jazz (2017–2019)

After showing promising results for his playing in Salt Lake City Stars, on December 22, 2017, Mitrou-Long signed a two-way contract with the Utah Jazz, taking the spot that was originally held by Nate Wolters.[18] This move saw him split playing time between the Jazz and the Stars for the rest of the length of his contract. Mitrou-Long made his NBA debut four days later, recording a three-pointer in a blowout 107–83 loss to the Denver Nuggets. However, on January 13, 2018, Mitrou-Long was waived from the Jazz in order to sign former college teammate Georges Niang.[19] He was re-signed by the Jazz on February 11, 2018, to a 10-day contract.[20] After his first 10-day contract expired on February 21, he signed a second 10-day contract with the Jazz three days later.[21]

Salt Lake City Stars (2018–2019)

On January 16, 2018, Mitrou-Long was reacquired by the Salt Lake City Stars.[22] He returned to Salt Lake City once again on February 21, 2018, after his 10-day contract expired. Mitrou-Long left Salt Lake City once again for his second 10-day contract with the Utah Jazz, and returned to Salt Lake City after the second 10-day contract expired. He averaged 18.0 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 4.6 assists per game with Salt Lake City.[23] In July 2019, Mitrou-Long joined the Cleveland Cavaliers for the 2019 NBA Summer League.

Indiana Pacers (2019–2020)

On July 31, 2019, Mitrou-Long signed a two-way contract with the Indiana Pacers.[24] On November 18, 2019, Mitrou-Long scored a career-high 12 points while getting three rebounds, three assists and one steal in a 115–86 win against the Brooklyn Nets.[25] In the G League, he averaged 13.7 points, 6.1 assists and 5.9 rebounds per game. On December 19, Mitrou-Long was waived by the Pacers.[26]

Fort Wayne Mad Ants (2021)

On January 11, 2021, Mitrou-Long signed with the Fort Wayne Mad Ants of the NBA G League as an affiliate player.[27] He averaged 13.2 points, 4.7 rebounds, 6.0 assists and 1.1 steals per game.

Basket Brescia Leonessa (2021–2022)

On July 30, 2021, Mitrou-Long signed with Basket Brescia Leonessa of the Lega Basket Serie A.[28] He averaged 17.5 points, 4.3 rebounds and 5 assists per game, leading the team to the 3rd place in the domestic league regular season standings.

Olimpia Milano (2022–2023)

On June 27, 2022, Mitrou-Long signed a two-year contract with Italian champions Olimpia Milano.[29] On June 27, 2023, he parted ways with the club.

Žalgiris Kaunas (2023)

On June 27, 2023, Mitrou-Long signed a two-year (1+1) deal with Žalgiris Kaunas of the Lithuanian Basketball League (LKL) and the EuroLeague.[30] [31]

On November 21, 2023, Žalgiris announced that the club is parting ways with Mitrou-Long by mutual decision.[32] He averaged 4.1 points, 1.2 rebounds, 1.0 assist, and 1.8 PIR per game in 9 EuroLeague appearances for Žalgiris.[33]

Olympiacos Piraeus (2023–present)

On November 21, 2023, Mitrou-Long signed a three-year contract with Olympiacos of the Greek Basket League and the EuroLeague in anticipation of the acquisition of his Greek passport and citizenship.[32] On December 21 of the same year, Mitrou-Long received his passport and was registered as a domestic player.

National team career

Mitrou-Long is a member of the senior men's Greek national team. On 13 February 2024, he was called on to represent Greece at the 2025 FIBA EuroBasket qualifiers.[34] On 26 February 2024, he was on Greece's 12 man game roster for their against the Netherlands, but he didn't play in the game, due to a shoulder injury.[35]

Career statistics

NBA

Regular season

|-| style="text-align:left;"| | style="text-align:left;"| Utah|| 1 || 0 || 1.0 || 1.000 || 1.000 || — || .0 || .0 || .0 || .0 || 3.0|-| style="text-align:left;"| | style="text-align:left;"| Utah|| 14 || 0 || 6.0 || .300 || .182 || .100 || .4 || 1.1 || .1 || .1 || 1.1|-| style="text-align:left;"| | style="text-align:left;"| Indiana|| 5 || 0 || 9.4 || .353 || .167 || .000 || .4 || 1.6 || .2 || .1 || 2.8|- class="sortbottom"| style="text-align:center;" colspan="2"| Career|| 20 || 0 || 5.7 || .333 || .250 || 1.000 || .4 || 2.7 || .3 || .2 || 1.3

EuroLeague

|-| style="text-align:left;"| 2022–23| style="text-align:left;"| Milano| 21 || 3 || 17.5 || .371 || .352 || .929 || 2.0 || 2.0 || .4 || .0 || 7.4 || 4.7|-| style="text-align:left;" rowspan="2"| 2023–24| style="text-align:left;"| Žalgiris| 9 || 0 || 10.2 || .375 || .286 || 1.000 || 1.2 || 1.0 || .2 || || 4.1 || 1.8|-| style="text-align:left;"| Olympiacos| 9 || 0 || 8.1 || .250 || .143 || .500 || .2 || 1.1 || .3 || || 1.8 || 0.1|- class="sortbottom"| style="text-align:center;" colspan=2| Career| 39 || 3 || 13.7 || .357 || .317 || .879 || 1.4 || 1.6 || .3 || .0 || 5.3 || 3.0

Personal life

Mitrou-Long was born on August 3, 1993, in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada, to Jersey Long and Georgia Mitrou.[36] His father is of Trinidadian descent while his mother is a Greek Canadian.[37] His mother Georgia was born in Sparta, Greece and immigrated to Canada along with her family when she was a child.[38] Mitrou-Long has three siblings and six half-siblings. His brother, Elijah Mitrou-Long, previously played college basketball for Mount St. Mary's University before transferring to the University of Texas in his junior year.[39] After one year with the Longhorns, he transferred to the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. In summer 2015, Mitrou-Long decided to display his full last name on his jersey to honor his mother; up to that point his jersey had only his father's name on it.[40]

Mitrou-Long was officially in the process of obtaining a Greek passport as of 2022.[41] He officially gained a Greek passport on 22 December 2023.[42]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Naz Long Hit a Deep 3-Pointer to Send Iowa State/Oklahoma State to Overtime . The Big Lead . March 8, 2014. 2016-03-29.
  2. Web site: Eisenberg . Jeff . Naz Long's game-saving three helps Iowa State end its Stillwater hex | The Dagger - Yahoo Sports . Sports.yahoo.com . 2014-02-04 . 2016-03-29.
  3. Web site: Dauster . Rob . DeAndre Kane, Naz Long impress in Iowa State's win over UNC Wilmington – CollegeBasketballTalk . Collegebasketballtalk.nbcsports.com . 2013-11-10 . 2016-03-29.
  4. Web site: > Naz Long keeps hitting big shots for Iowa State . The Gazette . 2014-04-01 . 2016-03-29.
  5. Web site: Chad Leistikow . Naz Long, Iowa State dismantle Iowa in Cy-Hawk showdown . Usatoday.com . 2014-12-12 . 2016-03-29.
  6. Web site: Naz Long's strong 3-point shooting night makes life easy . Desmoinesregister.com . 2014-12-31 . 2016-03-29.
  7. Web site: Cyclone Naz Long's second hip surgery went well; rehab starts Monday . Desmoinesregister.com . 2015-05-07 . 2016-03-29.
  8. News: Naz Mitrou-Long rests up against Arkansas-Pine Bluff . Birch . Tommy . . December 13, 2015.
  9. News: Iowa State's Naz Mitrou-Long to miss rest of season . Birch . Tommy . . December 15, 2015.
  10. News: Iowa State's Naz Mitrou-Long out for the season . Montz . Dylan . . . December 15, 2015.
  11. News: It's official: Naz Mitrou-Long is back for Iowa State . Peterson . Randy . . April 29, 2016.
  12. Web site: BIG 12 men's basketball 2016-2017 preseason all-conference teams . College Sports madness . September 24, 2016.
  13. News: Healthy Naz Mitrou-Long gives ISU shot in arm . . October 12, 2016.
  14. Web site: ISU's Mitrou-Long in the best shape of his life . Peterson, Randy . . June 20, 2016.
  15. News: Notebook: Mitrou-Long soars in re-introduction HIDE CAPTION Iowa State's Naz Mitrou-Long goes for the layup around Savannah State's Robert Kelly during the 2nd half of the Cyclones' season opener at Hilton Coliseum Friday, Nov 11, 2016, in Ames, Iowa. Photo by Nirmalendu Majumdar . Hines . Travis . . November 11, 2016.
  16. News: Naz Mitrou-Long, Cyclones best Mount St. Mary's 73-55 in 'Long family reunion . Young . Ryan . . November 14, 2016.
  17. News: Mitrou-Long's 37 points help Iowa State beat Drake 97-80 . Meredith . Luke . . December 17, 2016.
  18. News: Bolerjack. Nick. December 23, 2017. Jazz Sign Naz Mitrou-Long to Two-way Contract Utah Jazz. Utah Jazz. December 23, 2017.
  19. Web site: Woodyard. Eric. 14 January 2018. Utah Jazz sign Georges Niang to two-way deal after waiving college teammate. 17 October 2020. Deseret News. en.
  20. News: Jazz Sign Naz Mitrou-Long to 10-Day Contract. 12 February 2018. Utah Jazz. 11 February 2018.
  21. News: Jazz Sign Naz Mitrou-Long to Second 10-Day Contract. 24 February 2018. Utah Jazz. 24 February 2018.
  22. News: Rueckert. Daniel. Stars Reacquire Naz Mitrou-Long. NBA.com. January 16, 2018. January 18, 2018.
  23. News: Final 2017-18 NBA G League stats for ex-Iowa collegians. May 21, 2018. The Gazette. March 27, 2018.
  24. Web site: Pacers Sign Justin Holiday; Sign Naz Mitrou-Long to a Two-Way Contract. NBA.com. July 31, 2019. July 31, 2019.
  25. Web site: Mitrou-Long Ready for Opportunity, Wherever it Comes. NBA.com. March 2, 2020. November 22, 2019.
  26. OnWeb site: Anidos . Roberto . Mitrou-Long y Mantzaris, opciones para el puesto de base del Panathinaikos . Piratas del Basket . July 16, 2020 . Spanish . April 15, 2020.
  27. Web site: Fort Wayne Mad Ants' announce 2021 roster for single site season. January 11, 2021. NBA.com. March 29, 2021.
  28. Web site: Yahyabeyoglu . Fersu . Nazareth Mitrou-Long is a newcomer at Brescia . Eurobasket . July 30, 2021 . July 30, 2021.
  29. Web site: Milan signs shooting guard Mitrou-Long. EuroLeague. June 27, 2023. June 28, 2023.
  30. Web site: Mitrou-Long to replace Isaiah Taylor in Zalgiris. Žalgiris Kaunas. June 27, 2023. June 27, 2023.
  31. Web site: Zalgiris signs Naz Mitrou-Long. EuroLeague. June 27, 2023. June 27, 2023.
  32. Web site: Naz Mitrou-Long officially leaves Zalgiris, joins Olympiacos. November 21, 2023. BasketNews.
  33. Web site: Naz Mitrou-Long stats in Zalgiris. November 21, 2023. BasketNews.
  34. https://sportstherapy.gr/basket/ethniki-ellados-basket/18980/ethniki-andron-oi-kliseis-tou-spanouli-gia-to-parathyro-tou-fevrouariou/ Οι κλήσεις του Σπανούλη για το παράθυρο του Φεβρουαρίου sportstherapy.gr
  35. https://www.basket.gr/slider/ethniki-andron-provlima-me-antetokoyn/ Πρόβλημα με Αντετοκούμπο και Μήτρου Λονγκ basket.gr
  36. Web site: Naz Mitrou-Long . Cyclones.com.
  37. News: The power of a name: Naz Mitrou-Long . Dibie . Max . . December 3, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20201226185425/https://www.iowastatedaily.com/sports/the-power-of-a-name-naz-mitrou-long/article_8cf78802-97f9-11e5-aa86-2b5a47667b5d.html . December 26, 2020 .
  38. https://www.sfina.gr/mpasket/paok-a1/mitrou-longk-eipa-ochi-stin-kanada-gia-na-paixo-me-tin-ellada/ Μήτρου Λονγκ Είπα όχι στον Καναδά
  39. News: Iowa State set to host Mount St. Mary's and Naz Mitrou-Long's brother, Elijah . Montz . Dylan . . . November 13, 2016.
  40. News: Iowa State senior Mitrou-Long honors mom with name change . Birch . Tommy . . July 23, 2015.
  41. Web site: Kyriakidis . Giorgos . Naz Mitrou-Long longing for overdue Greek passport, chance to play with Giannis . BasketNews . May 6, 2023 . February 16, 2022.
  42. Web site: Mitrou-Long granted Greek passport, Petrusev replaces Sikma in domestic competition . EuroHoops.net . Eurohoops team / info@eurohoops.net. 22 December 2023. 16 April 2024.