University of North Carolina Ashville Athletics
LJ Thorpe signs a professional contract to play in Finland
08.12.2022 | Men's Basketball
ASHEVILLE, N.C. – Former UNC Asheville men's basketball player LJ Thorpe signed a professional contract to play for Tampereen Pyrintö on Friday. Tampereen Pyrintö is a team in Tampere, Finland, which competes in Korisligia, the highest tier of Finnish basketball.
"I am extremely excited for LJ and his family as he makes this first step of his professional career," said UNC Asheville Head Coach Mike Morrell. "We are very proud of him and all of his accomplishments here at UNC Asheville. He will always be a great ambassador for our program and the University. We are really excited to cheer him on and watch him as he grows in his professional career."
Thorpe was a key player for the Bulldogs over the last few seasons. In 100 games played as a Bulldog, Thrope scored 1,254 points, grabbed 458 rebounds, dished out 292 assists, and totaled 103 steals. His 1,254 points rank 20th on UNC Asheville's all-time scoring list and 12th during the Division I era.
A three-time All-Big South Honorable Mention selection, Thorpe arguably saved his best for his last season in Asheville. He ranked in the top 10 among Big South players in field goal percentage (4th - .495), assists (5th – 119), free throw shooting percentage (7th - .739), and points scored (8th – 450) during the 2021-22 season.
Welcome to @TrePyrinto@ljaysmoov aka LJ Thorpehttps://t.co/3Se3RGrqNW
— Pyrintö Basketball (@TrePyrinto) August 12, 2022
"I am extremely excited for LJ and his family as he makes this first step of his professional career," said UNC Asheville Head Coach Mike Morrell. "We are very proud of him and all of his accomplishments here at UNC Asheville. He will always be a great ambassador for our program and the University. We are really excited to cheer him on and watch him as he grows in his professional career."
Thorpe was a key player for the Bulldogs over the last few seasons. In 100 games played as a Bulldog, Thrope scored 1,254 points, grabbed 458 rebounds, dished out 292 assists, and totaled 103 steals. His 1,254 points rank 20th on UNC Asheville's all-time scoring list and 12th during the Division I era.
A three-time All-Big South Honorable Mention selection, Thorpe arguably saved his best for his last season in Asheville. He ranked in the top 10 among Big South players in field goal percentage (4th - .495), assists (5th – 119), free throw shooting percentage (7th - .739), and points scored (8th – 450) during the 2021-22 season.
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