AUSTIN, Texas—Former Concordia University Texas Men’s Basketball player,
Valentino Maxwell, signed a two-year, six-figure contract, with Reyer Venezia of Italy’s Legadue basketball league for the upcoming 2010 season.
“I am truly excited for Valentino and his family and know he will serve as a great ambassador for our program and the University,” Stan Bonewitz, Concordia Head Men’s Basketball Coach, said. “Valentino played a significant role in the development of the Men’s Basketball program at Concordia and he will continue to be a pivotal player on his new team.”
The Reyer Venezia basketball club is the oldest basketball franchise in Italy and has a long-standing history of championships. Maxwell is expected to make a quick start on the team and play a significant role in taking the team to the Championships.
“I am happy to get an opportunity to play in Italy, the country where I was born, and to represent Concordia. This opportunity shows that even a Division III basketball experience can catapult players to a great basketball career,” Maxwell, said. “Basketball is my one true passion and this is the best job in the world.”
Maxwell spent last season playing with the Debreceni Egyetem Ke Basketball team of the Hungary A Division, where he excelled. Maxwell averaged 12.8 points per game and while shooting 69.5 percent from the free throw line and 54 percent from the field.
Maxwell graduated from Harker Heights High School in Killeen, Texas before becoming a four-year starter for the Tornados. As a member of the Concordia Men’s Basketball team, Maxwell was named First Team All-American Southwest Conference (ASC) twice, First Team All-Region, ASC Freshman of the year, ASC West All-Freshman Team, ASC West Pre-Season Player of the Year and voted to the All-Tournament Team during his senior year.
Maxwell’s single game high, while with the Tornados, was 36 points against Howard Payne University. He finished his career at Concordia averaging 17.6 points per game and as a member of the Concordia basketball 1,000 point club, earning 1,481 points during his time with the program. He also led the Tornados to the American Southwest Conference Men’s Basketball Conference Tournament twice, including their inaugural trip during the 2006 - 2007 season.
For more information on the Legadue Basketball League, please visit www.reyer.it