By Cesare Milanti / info@eurohoops.net
Dominant in his first and only NCAA season in 2019-20 with the Duke Blue Devils, Vernon Carey Jr has now decided to move overseas after spending the last three years between the NBA and the G-League with the Charlotte Hornets, the Washington Wizards, and their respective affiliated teams.
Coming to Pinar Karsiyaka, he immediately made an impact in the Basketball Champions League, being named October MVP as a 22-year-old rookie in the European competition, becoming the youngest player to ever win the MVP of the month award in the BCL after Kyle Allman (23 years old in December 2020).
Helping the Turkish team start 2-0 in the Basketball Champions League, he has been averaging 16.5 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 2.5 assists per game for an average efficiency of 25 alongside an experienced locker room with Errick McCollum, Darrun Hilliard, and Kenan Sipahi on board among others.
Interviewed on the competition’s official website, Vernon Carey Jr talked about his adaptation process in Turkey. “I feel like in basketball, regardless of any team or league, you’re going to have to adapt especially if you’re going to be successful. I have a lot of experienced teammates, but I think Errick Mccollum has been the most helpful, just teaching me spots and tendencies to help the team and myself”, he commented on his veteran teammate.
Despite this being his first European season, the 22-year-old has his eyes set on the big prize. “I definitely feel like we have the potential, we just got to keep getting better and progressing and I feel like everything will fall into place if we do. My relationship with coach Sarica has definitely gotten better, he’s also helping me develop and understand the European game style so it’s been really good”, he also commented on the Turkish head coach.
PHOTO CREDIT: Basketball Champions League