Salem Stampede Star Eric Fiegi Leaves Oregon to Begin Pro Basketball Career

Salem-News.com Sports

SALEM - Former Corban College men’s basketball player and two-time NAIA All-American 1st team member Eric Fiegi began his professional basketball career on Friday when he signed a contract with JSF Nanterre’s Pro B team of Ligue Nationale de Basket in France.

The four-time Cascade Collegiate All-Conference selection was picked in the 3rd round of the Chinese Basketball Association draft on Thursday and twenty-four hours later decided to sign with the team located in Nanterre, France, which is a suburb of Paris.

“This is a great opportunity,” said Fiegi. “I am really excited because (JSF Nanterre) is a place where I can put up good numbers and showcase my talents.”

Fiegi’s contract is ten months long and includes a salary (plus bonus), living expenses, vehicle, and a provisional buyout from the Chinese Basketball Association.

The 6-foot-9 post player chose the opportunity with JSF Nanterre over other offers in Germany due to the opportunity for playing time. Nanterre limits two American players per team compared to Germany’s playing time being divided among nine Americans.

Along with the playing time, Nanterre gets a lot of world-wide exposure because last season’s Pro B MVP, Cedric Banks, was invited to participate on the Chicago Bulls Summer League team, and then was offered a contract with the New Jersey Nets.

This summer, Fiegi was a member of the Salem Stampede of the International Basketball League (IBL). In 19 games, the 2006 IBL All-Star averaged 31.5 points per game to lead the league in scoring.

Prior to his season with the Stampede, Fiegi concluded one of the most storied local collegiate careers finishing with 3,252 points, which ranks second on the all-time career points chart in Corban history.

The four-year starter finished his career as the school’s all-time leader in rebounds (1,252), field goals made (1,256), and blocked shots (283), while leading the nation this past season in points (30.3) and rebounds per game (13.1).

Fiegi’s career field goal number is tops among all NAIA Division II participants and his career point total ranks 2nd individually among all four-year institutions in the state of Oregon.

Fiegi and his wife, Kellie, left for France Monday.

To follow, Fiegi’s season with JSF Nanterre, visit www.jsfnanterre.com and click on Pro B.

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