Nik Caner-Medley

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Nik Caner-Medley
Position: forward
Height: 6'8"
Weight: 230 lb
Team: Kalise Gran Canaria
Nationality: American
Born: October 20, 1983 (1983-10-20) (age 24)
Beverly, Massachusetts
College: Maryland
Drafted: Undrafted ()
Pro career: 2006 – present

Nik Caner-Medley (b. October 20, 1983, Beverly, Massachusetts) is a professional basketball player, currently with CB Gran Canaria of Spain's ACB. He was named Maine Gatorade Player of the Year, and "Mr. Basketball" as a senior at Deering High School. He averaged an astounding 35.6 PPG as a senior and 26.8 PPG as a junior, both good for first in the state. Caner-Medley went on to play four seasons at the University of Maryland.

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[edit] High school career

Nik graduated from Deering High School in Portland, Maine in 2002. Among his achievements were NHSCA Boys Basketball Athlete of the Year, Maine's Mr. Basketball and the Maine Gatorade Player of the Year. A remarkable scorer as a senior, he tallied a school-record 51 points against South Portland, scored 47 points in consecutive games, had one game with 46 and another with 44 during his final high school campaign.

He led the Rams to back-to-back Western Maine titles and led the state in scoring in back-to-back seasons with a 36.5-point average in 2002 and a 26.8-point clip in 2001. He still holds the title of Deering's career scoring leader with 1,641 points and also led the Southern Maine Athletic Association (SMAA) as a senior with 15.7 rebounds, along with 4.2 steals per game and 4.6 assists.

[edit] Collegiate career

Nik became the first true freshman to start regularly at Maryland since Steve Blake in 1999-00, totaling 18 starts in 31 games. As a small forward, he averaged 5.9 ppg and 3.5 rpg in his first collegiate season and averaged 6.0 ppg and 2.0 rpg in the Terps' three NCAA Tournament games despite missing most of the Michigan State match on March 28, 2003 after injuring his ankle. Among his post-season contributions was the 12 points and two rebounds in the NCAA Tournament opening win over UNC Wilmington.

As a sophomore, he was a Terp starter in all 32 contests, finishing third on the team in scoring with 12.2 points per game and was the Terps' high-scorer in eight games. His standout performance sparked the Terps in a win at No. 1 Florida on December 10, 2003 where he registered 22 points with six points in overtime and set or tied then-career bests in field goals attempted (16), 3-point field goals (3), 3-point field goals attempted (7), rebounds (13, previous career-high was eight) and minutes played (43). He later earned the Maryland Basketball "Clutch Performance of the Year" Award for his effort against Florida.

During his junior year, Nik led the Terrapins in scoring (16.0 ppg), minutes (1,008), starts (31) and 3-point field goals made (43). He posted a double-figure scoring total in 27 of 32 games, recorded 10 games of 20 points or more and was Maryland's top scorer in 13 games. On January 15, 2005, he contributed a career-high 35 points to Maryland's win over Temple, in which he made 14-for-21 FG to eclipse his previous career-high by 12 points. He averaged a team-high 16.9 ppg in ACC contests, finished third on the team in rebounding (6.2 rpg) and second in steals (43), and notched four double-doubles on the season. He earned BB&T Classic all-tournament honors in December and was named ESPN.com National Player of the Week for his performance against Duke on January 31, 2005.

Following the season, Nik was named to the All ACC 3rd team. Before his senior year Nik scored in double-figures in each of the Terps' games during their tour of Italy. Nik again led the Terps in scoring at 15.3 ppg (16.3 during ACC competition), and tallied 6 rbs, and 2 apg. He shot 83% FT and 36% from the 3 point line. At the conclusion of the season, he was named team MVP and 3rd team All ACC. Nik finished his senior year #11 all-time in games played for Maryland, #8 in minutes, #13 in points scored (he was in the top ten of players with games of 30+ points), #18 in rebounds, #6 in assists by a forward or center (#27 overall), #11 steals, #13 blocks, #10 in 3s and #13 steals. Nik was one of only five Maryland players (Walt Williams, Johnny Rhodes, Laron Profit and Terence Morris) to score over 1500 points, grab 500+ rebounds, record more than 200 assists, 100 steals, 100 3s and 50 blocks during his career at Maryland.

[edit] Professional career

Nik was signed as a free-agent by the Detroit Pistons after the 2006 NBA draft. He played with them in the 2006 Las Vegas Summer League until a stress fracture in his foot forced him to the sidelines for five months. After extensive rehabilitation Nik fully recovered and signed with the Artland Dragons of the BBL1 in Germany in February 2007.

After the successful season and play-off times Nik left this team. The Artland Dragons finished the Play-Offs in second place. Back in America he played in the summer league (Sacramento Kings) in Las Vegas. He did not make an NBA roster, but on November 1, 2007 was selected sixth in the NBA Developmental League draft by the Sioux Falls Skyforce. In December of 2007 Nik left the NBADL to pursue an opportunity overseas with CB Gran Canaria of the ACB, the top Spanish league.

Eight games after his arrival to Kalise Gran Canaria, he won the "MVP" for first time, the best player mention of the 20th time in the ACB 2008 league, against Iurbentia Bilbao Basket team.

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