By Aris Barkas/ barkas@eurohoops.net
According to the latest FIBA migration report, 2,050 men and women US players are playing professionally outside their country’s borders. So, leaving a legacy and not becoming just a footnote is not easy.
And that’s the case with Michale Kyser, one of the top blockers in Europe, on the verge of getting his flowers.
After registering four blocks in Hapoel Holon’s win over Igokea, Kyser has a total of 72 and he is one block away from reaching Le Mans’ TaShawn Thomas as the all-time leader in blocks in the Basketball Champions League.
Thomas also played for Holon in the 2017-18 season, averaging 1.1 blocks in the Israeli League and the Basketball Champions League.
Kyser, who also played for Holon in 2021-22 and also this season, can be considered his rightful heir.
A forward who became a defensive monster
Playing as a forward during his days at Louisiana Tech, it was obvious that defense and blocks would be his calling card, averaging 1.8 in his first season, 2.7 in the second, 2.0 in the third, and 2.8 in the fourth.
When all was said and done, he became the all-time career blocks leader at Louisiana Tech, and this was how he stood out in Europe.
After trying his luck in the G-League and the Raptors, appearing just in one pre-season NBA game, Kyser moved to Cyprus in 2017 and joined Enosis Neon Paralimni of the Cypriot League where he would average 15 points, 14 rebounds, and 3 blocks per game.
Just two months into the season, he transferred to the Greek League for Kymi, leading the league with 1.9 blocks per game.
He also played with Aris BC, VEF Riga in Estonia, Bilbao Basket in Spain, Samsunspor in Turkey, King Szczecin in Poland, and of course Hapoel Holon in Israel. He never averaged less than one block per game in his pro career in Europe, emerging as an undersized center and a defensive force, getting an award for this by Eurohoops back in 2022.
So make a note for the upcoming game of Hapoel Holon, on the 3rd of December in Savaria Arena, Hungary. Holon will host Würzburg Baskets and according to Kyser’s career average, the worst-case scenario is that he will tie the All-Time BCL record in blocks.
And no matter what, it’s just a matter of time to became the All-Time leader and leave his mark on the competition.