B. J. Anthony

Benny Charles "B. J." Anthony Jr. (born 20 July 1988)^[1] is a New Zealand professional basketball player for the Wellington Saints of the New Zealand National Basketball League (NZNBL). 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 New Zealand NBL career in 2008 when he joined the Harbour Heat. He later played in Germany during the 2008–09 season^[4] before returning to the Heat for the 2009 season.^[5]

Anthony had another stint in Germany during the 2009–10 season, but departed the club mid-season.^[6] He again played for the Harbour Heat during 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.^[7] In February 2011, he signed with the Waikato Pistons for the 2011 New Zealand NBL season.^[8]

Anthony returned to the New Zealand Breakers as a full-time contracted player for the 2011–12 NBL season. In October 2011, Anthony signed with the Otago Nuggets for the 2012 New Zealand NBL season.^[9] However, due to an injury sustained while playing for the Breakers, Anthony missed the entire 2012 season.

In May 2012, Anthony was released by the Breakers following a troubled 2011–12 season.^[10]

In January 2013, Anthony joined BBC Solarto Eagles Magdeburg of Germany for the rest of the 2012–13 season.^[11] He went on to earn Regionalliga All-Star Five honours.^[12]

Anthony returned to the Otago Nuggets for 2013 New Zealand NBL season, making his debut for the club in Round 1, where he recorded a career-high 34 points and 12 rebounds in a 111–77 win over the Super City Rangers.^[13][14] He was subsequently named Round 1 Player of the Week for his performance.^[15] The Nuggets established themselves as one of the teams to beat in 2013 as they won their first eight games and finished the regular season in second spot on the ladder with a 12–4 record. The Nuggets thus made the playoffs for the first time since 1997. They faced the Nelson Giants in the semi-finals, where they were defeated 87–72.

On 20 June 2013, Anthony signed a two-year deal with the Adelaide 36ers.^[16] On 11 February 2014, he signed with the Wellington Saints for the 2014 New Zealand NBL season.^[17][18]

On 4 January 2015, Anthony ruptured his Achilles tendon while playing for the 36ers, and was subsequently ruled out for the rest of the 2014–15 NBL season and the entire 2015 New Zealand NBL season.^[19][20]

On 3 June 2015, Anthony signed with the Plymouth Raiders for the 2015–16 British Basketball League season.^[21][22] However, he was released by the club on November 7 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.^[23] 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.

On 25 February 2016, Anthony signed with the Wellington Saints for the 2016 New Zealand NBL season, returning to the club for a second stint.^[24]

National team 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^[25] and played in the NZNBL for the Northland Suns during the 1990s.^[26]

References

External links

• Eurobasket.com profile