Former Kentucky Wesleyan point guards #T. J. Smith
and Desmond Stephens# signed pro contracts with two international teams in Germany and Austria respectfully, according to KWC head coach Todd Lee.
Smith, a 6-2, 175-pounder from Gardenia, Calif. (Miller HS), will play for UBC Muenster in the Germany League.
As a senior in 2009, he led the Panthers in scoring (16.3 ppg), assists (5.5 apg) and steals (28) in 17 games and 16 starts. He finished third in rebounding (5.1 rpg) while shooting 44.3 percent from the field and 76.5 percent from the free throw line.
Smith twice received second team All-Great Lakes Valley Conference recognition and also named preseason 2009 honorable mention All-American by The Sporting News.
Stephens, a 5-8, 145-pounder from Bloomington, Ind. (South HS), will play for BSC Raiffeisen Furstenfeld Panthers in the Austria 1st Division League.
In 2010, Stephens finished seventh in NCAA assists (6.6 apg) and received honorable mention All-American honors by Division II Bulletin. He led the Panthers in scoring (18.1 ppg), steals (2.3 spg) and the Great Lakes Valley Conference in assists and steals as a senior.
He also received first team All-Great Lakes Valley Conference recognition, named to the All-Midwest Region squad by the National Association of Basketball Coaches and Daktronics Sports. Stephens was one of 20 seniors to played in the prestigious NABC/NCAA Division II All-Star Game.
Both reported to their countries on August 23, as the European pro seasons starts in mid-September.
