University of North Carolina Ashville Athletics
UNC Asheville Men's Basketball Alum LJ Thorpe Signs with BCM Gravelines-Dunkerque
07.16.2026 | Men's Basketball
ASHEVILLE, N.C. – UNC Asheville men's basketball alumnus LJ Thorpe ('22) will continue his professional basketball career in one of Europe's premier leagues after signing with BCM Gravelines-Dunkerque of France's Betclic ÉLITE, the club announced last week.
Thorpe joins the French first-division club following a standout 2025-26 campaign with the Hamburg Towers in Germany's Basketball Bundesliga. The versatile guard averaged 11.6 points, 4.2 assists and 2.4 rebounds per game in league play while increasing his production to 12.0 points and 5.7 assists per contest in EuroCup competition.
A 2022 UNC Asheville graduate, Thorpe was a key player for the Bulldogs during his time in Asheville. In 100 games played as a Bulldog, Thorpe 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.
Thorpe was a key player for the Bulldogs during his time in Asheville. In 100 games played as a Bulldog, Thorpe 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.
Since beginning his professional career in 2022, Thorpe has competed across Europe with stops in Finland, Lithuania and Germany before earning his opportunity in France's top professional league. His latest move to BCM Gravelines-Dunkerque marks another step forward in a career that has continued to progress each season.
Thorpe is one of several former Bulldogs currently competing professionally around the world, continuing UNC Asheville men's basketball's tradition of developing talent for the professional ranks.
Fans can watch the next generation of Bulldogs this season by securing 2026-27 men's basketball season tickets, available now.
