DETROIT – After intimidating opposing players in the paint for three seasons at Kates Gymnasium, Michael Hundley is making the jump to play pro in the Land Down Under.
The 6-foot 9-inch Detroit native who graduated from Ashland University in 2016 inked a deal this week to play with Eastern Mavericks of the Premiere League in Adelaide, Australia.
“It was a dream come true. Something I’ve always wanted to do,” Hundley said. “I really put my mind to it all summer so I’m happy to get it started and jump off my pro career.”
Since graduation, Hundley has been working hard to advertise himself, including making a LinkedIn page with a list of his accomplishments and game videos.
“I was talking to a few former players from here in Michigan who played professionally in Australia and they were telling me what a great experience it is and how it’s a great way to get your pro career started,” Hundley said.
He visited a website (eurobasket.com) that specializes in connecting basketball players with overseas opportunities. Hundley contacted about 20 Australian teams with information about himself and videos showing what he can do on the court. Six teams reached out to him and the Eastern Mavericks head coach Jason Warhurst reached out to him personally.
“We started talking and he said he liked what he saw and we communicated for about two weeks with each other and then he offered me the position,” Hundley said.
Hundley will head to the Land Down Under at the end of February and the Premier League season gets under way March 31. The 21 game season runs through July with playoffs starting in August.
Most of the players in the Premier League are from Australia, as teams are only allowed two “imports” from other countries.
Hundley, who has only left the country to travel to Toronto a few times, is excited to travel to Australia and experience a new culture.
“It’s going to be a big adjustment but once I’ve been there a couple weeks, I think I’ll get adjusted to it. At least they speak English over there, so that’s a big thing.” Hundley said. “But it’s just like going away for college to play basketball. Once I get there and meet my teammates and stuff, I’ll feel more comfortable and at home.”
The Eastern Mavericks went 1-20 during the 2016 season. Hundley is excited to step in and have the chance to make an impact quickly. Coach Warhurst told him they need Hundley for some extra defensive rebounding and rim protection, and offensively they want him to run the pick and roll and be able to run the floor.
“I just want to use this opportunity to jump start my career. I just want to keep moving up higher and higher,” Hundley said.
His contract is for one season, but he hopes his play will earn him more opportunities, possibly in other leagues in Australia or even in Europe.
The former Eagle has worked hard since graduation to improve his offensive game and bulk up. He’s trained with strength coach Michael Knight, a trainer who has worked with the Detroit Lions and Detroit Red Wings. Guy Ikpah, who played ball for Oklahoma State in the early 2000s and worked with Impact Basketball in Las Vegas, has also been helping Hundley train.
“This will be the first opportunity for me to really show off my offensive ability and all the stuff I’ve been working on over the summer like shooting more from the outside,” Hundley said. “I’ll be able to do more because I’ll have the ball in my hands more.”
Hundley earned three letters in basketball at Renaissance High School in Detroit, finishing his high school career by averaging 10.2 points per game, 10.0 rebounds per game and 6.3 blocks per game.
Hundley started his collegiate career at The Citadel in South Carolina where he redshirted his first year, then played limited minutes in his first year on the court.
“It just was a bad experience with the coaches and stuff so I thought I needed something new,” Hundley said.
Not wanting to have to sit out a year, Hundley chose to pursue opportunities at a Division II school. After looking at DII schools in the Carolinas, Hundley went home to Michigan and started visiting schools in the Midwest, including Ashland.
“Ashland hit me up right away, as soon as I got my release papers. I went down and visited them and I liked it a lot. I liked my teammates and the community a lot,” Hundley said.
Hundley played in 20 games his first season at Ashland, and moved into the starting lineup his junior year, starting 28 of 29 games. He led the Eagles in blocked shots, shot 50.9 percent from the field and grabbed 2.8 boards per game.
As a senior, Hundley averaged 2.8 blocks, 2.8 rebounds and 3.1 points per game. He started all 31 games for an Eagle team that made the playoffs for the first time in 25 years after going 24-4 in the regular season.
“Michael was a defensive force his senior year. His ability to block and alter opponents’ shots was unique and it will be tough to find a player that will be able to match his talents,” said Ashland University men’s basketball coach John Ellenwood. “Mike worked extremely hard and was an absolute pleasure to coach. As a coach, I am extremely proud of him and I can’t wait to see how he continues to grow with the professional opportunity that lies in-front of him.”
Hundley has fond memories of his time in Ashland.
“I really bonded with my teammates. We’re all really close. I talk to most of them on a daily basis. Coach (Ellenwood) still keeps in touch with me. It was a great experience. I learned a lot,” Hundley said.
Other recent Eagles who took their talents overseas include 2012 grad Evan Yates who has played in Israel, Spain and Denmark, and 2011 grad Justin Garris who played in Canada, Mexico, Colombia, Morocco and Qatar before retiring in 2014 due to injuries.
Coverage of Ashland University Eagles athletics is produced in partnership with OhioHealth, the official sports medicine provider for Ashland University and dozens of high schools and universities throughout Ohio.
