B. J. Anthony

Benny Charles "B. J." Anthony Jr. (born 20 July 1988)^[1] is a New Zealand professional basketball player who last played for the Plymouth Raiders of the British Basketball League (BBL). He also holds British nationality through his mother, making him a non-restricted player in Europe.

Professional career

In 2006 and 2008, Anthony played in the Conference Basketball League (CBL) for the Waitakere Rangers and Northside, respectively.^[2][3] He also began his professional career in 2008 when he joined the Harbour Heat for the New Zealand NBL season. Later that year, he joined Herzoege Wolfenbuettel of the German Pro B for the 2008–09 season. During that season, he also spent time with SG MTV/BG 93 Wolfenbuttel of the lower Regionalliga.

After again playing for the Harbour Heat in 2009, Anthony re-joined Herzoege Wolfenbuettel for the 2009–10 season. In January 2010, he left Herzoege due to the birth of his first child and later re-joined the Heat for the 2010 New Zealand NBL season.

In June 2010, Anthony signed with the New Zealand Breakers as a development player for the 2010–11 NBL season.^[4]

In February 2011, Anthony signed with the Waikato Pistons for the 2011 New Zealand NBL season.^[5] Later that year, he signed a two-year deal with the New Zealand Breakers.

In October 2011, Anthony signed with the Otago Nuggets for the 2012 New Zealand NBL season.^[6] However, due to an injury sustained while playing for the New Zealand Breakers during the 2011–12 NBL season, Anthony missed the entire 2012 season. In May 2012, he was released from the second year of his two-year contract with the Breakers.^[7] Later that year, re-signed with the Nuggets for the 2013 season.^[8]

In January 2013, Anthony joined BBC Solarto Eagles Magdeburg of Germany for the rest of the 2012–13 season.^[9] He went on to earn Regionalliga All-Star Five honours.^[8]

On 20 April 2013, Anthony made his debut for the Nuggets. He recorded a career-high 34 points to go with 12 rebounds in a 111–77 victory over the Super City Rangers.^[10][11] He was subsequently named Round 1 Player of the Week for his performance.^[12]

On 20 June 2013, Anthony signed a two-year deal with the Adelaide 36ers.^[13]

On 11 February 2014, Anthony signed with the Wellington Saints for the 2014 New Zealand NBL season.^[14][15] On 5 December 2014, he signed a three-year deal with the Super City Rangers.^[16] However, after rupturing his Achilles tendon playing for the 36ers on 4 January 2015, he was ruled out for the rest of the 2014–15 NBL season and the entire 2015 New Zealand NBL season.^[17][18]

On 3 June 2015, Anthony signed with the Plymouth Raiders for the 2015–16 British Basketball League season.^[19][20] However, he was released by the club on 7 November due to his "flagrant disregard for club rules, and for serious off court issues". Both he and teammate Richie Edwards had their contracts terminated after demonstrating poor behaviour off the court.^[21] He appeared in the team's first five games of the season, averaging 12.0 points, 6.8 rebounds and 1.6 assists per game.

International career

Anthony was selected to join the Tall Blacks on 17 August 2009 for the first time as an injury replacement for Jeremiah Trueman. He participated in the 2009 FIBA Oceania Championship averaging 7.5 points and 4.5 rebounds for the team. He also represented New Zealand at the 2010 FIBA World Championship in Turkey.^[1]

Personal

Anthony's father, Benny Sr., is an assistant coach for the Super City Rangers^[22] and played in the NZNBL for the Northland Suns during the 1990s.^[23]

References

External links

• Eurobasket.com profile