The forward, who first made a name for himself during his standout college career at Purdue University from 2007 to 2011, really began to shine in his final year. He wrapped up his senior season earning consensus first-team All-American honors and was named Big Ten Player of the Year while playing for the Purdue Boilermakers—a major milestone in his journey. Before all the fame and recognition, he was already being noticed as a top-tier talent, rated as a four-star recruit by Rivals.com during his high school days. His rise wasn’t just fueled by talent, though—family played a big role too. His parents, Chris and Rhonda, supported him throughout his journey, and he shares a close bond with his sister, Dàshawna. It’s clear that his path to success was shaped both on the court and at home.
He played a key role in helping Darüşşafaka secure the EuroCup title back in 2018, delivering strong performances that earned him a spot on that year’s All-EuroCup second team. Before his success overseas, he had already made a name for himself in college basketball—during the 2011 season, while representing Purdue, he was honored as the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year. His journey, marked by consistent growth and determination, shows how he continued to elevate his game at every stage. He truly made an impact wherever he went, proving time and again that hard work pays off.