@CanesHoops Alums Sign Overseas Contracts
Seven University of Miami alums—Durand Scott, Rion Brown, Garrius Adams, Kenny Kadji, Donnavan Kirk, Trey McKinney Jones and Malcolm Grant—have signed professional basketball contracts to play overseas for the fall of 2014.
Two of Miami’s players from the Hurricane’s historic 2012-2013 ACC Championship season are becoming teammates once again, but this time Rion Brown and Durand Scott will be playing for Hapoel Tel Aviv in the Israeli Basketball Super League.
Brown is coming off his best season as a Hurricane, leading the team in scoring, averaging 15.5 points per game and started in all but one game. This summer Brown participated in the NBA’s Summer League in Las Vegas for the Charlotte Hornets, playing in seven games. Brown averaged 14.6 minutes per game along with 6.3 points and 2.0 rebounds.
Scott enters his second year as a professional after a season with Río Natura Monbús Obradoiro of the Liga ACB, Spain’s top-tier professional basketball league.
Scott said Brown’s and his signing with Hapoel Tel Aviv was not planned and “just happened.”
“Rion actually signed there first and then the offer came in to me maybe about a week later or so,” Scott elaborated. “It was still fresh and I didn’t know if I would actually take that deal. I narrowed it down, and I figured that it was the best decision for me.”
Scott believes that their history together will translate into a great relationship on the court.
“We have good chemistry off the court, just being great friends,” Scott explained. “We’ll be compatible with one another and just go out there and play as best as possible.”
Another senior from the 2013-2014 Hurricanes class also found a home in Europe. Garrius Adams signed with Liege in the first Belgian Basketball division. This past season, Adams posted career highs in several categories, including scoring (10.2 per game) and rebounds (3.3 per game) while starting in each contest.
Liege finished last season in fourth place and Adams is hoping to help continue their success while progressing on his last season as a Hurricane.
“The team did really well last year and ended up in fourth place and I just want to build off that,” Adams said. “Individually, I just want to have a great rookie season that will build for a great career. I want to build from where I left off at Miami and have a good season this year.”
Hurricanes assistant coach Michael Huger, who played pro ball in Belgium from 1996-2005, was able to speak with Adams and provide some advice for the soon-to-be rookie.
“Coach Huger just told me to just do what you do and everything else will take care of itself,” Adams said of his conversation with Coach Huger. “To just go out there be aggressive and play hard, play good basketball and off the court just enjoy yourself.
Adams said he was not nervous about the transition to Belgium, but rather he is more anxious to finally begin his professional career and is appreciative of the opportunity.
“Many people don’t get the opportunity to go over seas,” he said.
Kenny Kadji, also a member of the Hurricanes’ ACC Championship team has signed a contract. Kadji signed a contract with Aries Trikala B.C. of the Greek League.
Aries Trikala finished last season in 11th place with a record of 9-17.
Kadji spent this summer playing in the NBA’s Summer League for the Milwaukee Bucks. The forward appeared in five games, averaging two points and three rebounds per game. Kadji scored a season-high eight in a win over Golden State.
Donnavan Kirk has also found a home for this upcoming season. The forward, who had two sperarte stints as a Hurricane, signed with BC Siauliai of the Lithuanian League.
Former Hurricane sharp-shooting guard Trey McKinney Jones has signed with BCM Gravelines of the French Pro A League. McKinney Jones spent the summer playing in the NBA’s summer league with the Miami Heat averaging 3.6 points per game, including a season-high nine versus the Detroit Pistons, a game in which he played 21 minutes.
In 2013, McKinney Jones signed a contract with the Milwaukee Bucks, playing for their D-League affiliate Fort Wayne Mad Ants. He started in 44 of the 47 games he appeared in and recorded three double-doubles and averaged over 15 points per game while shooting better than 35 percent from three-point range.
Malcolm Grant has signed a one year deal to play with Renaissance Sportive Tanger (Morocco). The point guard last played for the Hurricanes in 2012 and spent three seasons in Coral Gables after transferring from Villanova. He was named to the All-ACC Third Team as a junior.
