Isaac Fotu

Last updated

Isaac Fotu
No. 42–Utsunomiya Brex
Position Power forward
League B.League
Personal information
Born (1993-12-18) 18 December 1993 (age 30)
York, England
NationalityNew Zealand
Listed height2.03 m (6 ft 8 in)
Listed weight104 kg (229 lb)
Career information
High school Rangitoto College
(Auckland, New Zealand)
College Hawaii (2012–2014)
NBA draft 2015: undrafted
Playing career2011–present
Career history
2011–2012 New Zealand Breakers
2014–2017 Zaragoza
2014–2015→Manresa
2017–2019 ratiopharm Ulm
2019–2020 Universo Treviso
2020–2021 Reyer Venezia
2021–present Utsunomiya Brex
Career highlights and awards
  • B.League champion (2022)
  • NBL champion (2012)
  • First-team All-Big West (2014)
  • Big West co-Freshman of the Year (2013)

Isaac Fotu (born 18 December 1993) is a New Zealand professional basketball player for Utsunomiya Brex of the Japanese B.League. He also represents the New Zealand national team in international competition.

Contents

Early life

Born in York, England to a Tongan father and an English mother, Fotu and his family moved to New Zealand when he was seven and settled down in Auckland. [1] As a teenager, Fotu attended Rangitoto College and played club basketball for the North Harbour Basketball Association, representing the club at U17, U19 and U21 levels. In June 2011, he was named to the all-star five of the Nike All-Asia Camp in China, an invitation-only tournament for some of the best young high school players throughout Asia and Oceania. [2]

On 4 July 2011, Fotu signed with the New Zealand Breakers as a non-contracted development player for the 2011–12 NBL season. Being non-contracted still allowed him to pursue opportunities in the American college system without jeopardising his amateur status. [2] On 11 November 2011, he played his first and only game for the Breakers, appearing the final 46 seconds of the team's 81–63 loss to the Wollongong Hawks. [3]

On 22 November 2011, Fotu signed a National Letter of Intent to play college basketball for the University of Hawaii. [4] After the University of Hawaii suggested that he might contravene NCAA rules if he played for a professional team, Fotu did not play again for the Breakers, nor did he play for the Harbour Heat during the 2012 New Zealand NBL season despite signing with the club. [5]

College career

As a freshman at Hawaii in 2012–13, Fotu earned Big West co-Freshman of the Year honors and in doing so, became just the second UH player to earn league freshman of the year honors. He also earned Freshman All-American honors from CollegeInsider.com. In 32 games (18 starts), he averaged 10.1 points, 6.2 rebounds and 1.0 assists in 25.1 minutes per game. [6] [7]

As a sophomore in 2013–14, Fotu earned first-team All-Big West and second-team NABC All-District 9 honors, becoming just the 11th UH player ever to be named all-district. He also earned Academic All-Big West honors. On 25 January 25, 2014, he scored a career-high 30 points on 13-of-16 shooting in an overtime win over UC Irvine. In 31 games (all starts), he averaged 14.9 points and 6.1 rebounds in 30.8 minutes per game. [6] [7]

On 29 October 2014, Fotu was ruled ineligible to play in 2014–15 after an NCAA investigation revealed he received improper benefits as a student-athlete. He was told he could continue practicing with the team but could not participate in games. [8] He subsequently announced on 3 November that he was leaving the program to pursue a professional contract overseas. [9]

College statistics

YearTeamGPGSMPGFG%3P%FT%RPGAPGSPGBPGPPG
2012–13 Hawaii 321825.1.623.000.6636.21.0.2.810.1
2013–14 Hawaii 313130.8.584.125.7336.1.7.4.814.9

Professional career

On 12 November 2014, Fotu signed a three-year deal with CAI Zaragoza of the Liga ACB. [10] [11] Two weeks later, he was loaned to La Bruixa d'Or Manresa for the rest of the season. [12] He went on to make his debut for Manresa on 29 November, recording two points and two rebounds in a loss to Joventut Badalona. [5] [13] The following game, on 7 December, he made his first start for Manresa, recording 16 points and 6 rebounds in a loss to Iberostar Tenerife. [14] In 26 games for Manresa in 2014–15, he averaged 10.7 points and 4.0 rebounds per game.

Fotu returned to Zaragoza for the 2015–16 season, making his debut for the club on 11 October 2015. On 3 April 2016, he had a 16-point game against CB Estudiantes, and on 11 May, he had an 18-point game against Valencia BC. [15]

On 22 July 2019, he has signed with Universo Treviso of the Italian Lega Basket Serie A. [16]

On 5 July 2020, he has signed with Reyer Venezia of the Italian Lega Basket Serie A (LBA). [17] Fotu parted ways with the team on 28 June 2021. [18]

On 20 July 2021, Fotu moves to Japan in the B.League signing with Utsunomiya Brex. [19]

National team career

Fotu, at the age of just 17 years, became the youngest player to represent the Tall Blacks when he made his international debut in August 2011 at the Stanković Cup in Guangzhou, China where he helped them win the tournament. The following month, he helped New Zealand win the inaugural FIBA 3x3 World Youth Championship in Italy. [20]

Fotu competed for the Tall Blacks at the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup in Spain where he averaged 9.5 points and 4.5 rebounds in six games. [21]

After helping lead the Tall Blacks to the 2015 Stanković Cup title, Fotu played in the two-game FIBA Oceania Championship series against Australia in mid-August. [22] [23] New Zealand were defeated 2–0 as Fotu recorded a total of 18 points and 18 rebounds over the two games. [24] [25]

Personal

Fotu is the son of Manu and Jenny Fotu, [5] both of whom reside in Torbay, Auckland. His father played professional rugby in England. He also has two younger brothers and two younger sisters. [6]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kirk Penney</span> New Zealand basketball player

Kirk Samuel Penney is a New Zealand professional basketball player. He is the all-time leading scorer for New Zealand’s National Team. He ranks 12th all-time in points scored at the FIBA World Cup. He played four years of college basketball for the Wisconsin Badgers between 1999 and 2003, where he was twice named first-team all-conference and an all-American. He became the second New Zealander in the NBA when he appeared briefly for the Miami Heat in 2003 and the Los Angeles Clippers in 2005, and went on to play professionally in Spain, the NBA Development League, Israel, Lithuania, Germany and Turkey. He also played six seasons for the New Zealand Breakers of the Australian National Basketball League (NBL). He was named the NBL MVP in 2009, named to the NBL first-team four times, led the NBL in scoring three times and won an NBL championship with the Breakers in 2011.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Édgar Sosa (basketball)</span> American basketball player (born 1988)

Édgar Sosa is a Dominican-American professional basketball player for Al-Naft SC of the Iraqi Basketball League. He played college basketball for Louisville.

Casey Frank is an American-New Zealand former professional basketball player. He played college basketball for the Northern Arizona Lumberjacks before playing in New Zealand and Australia between 2002 and 2016. He was a regular member of the New Zealand Tall Blacks.

Alex John Pledger is a New Zealand former professional basketball player. He played college basketball in the United States for Kansas City and Belmont Abbey before playing eleven seasons in the Australian National Basketball League (NBL) between 2009 and 2020. In nine seasons with the New Zealand Breakers, he won four NBL championships. In the New Zealand National Basketball League (NZNBL), he won championships with the Auckland Pirates (2012) and Southland Sharks (2018). He was also a regular member of the New Zealand national team.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Marcus Landry</span> American basketball player

Marcus Landry is an American professional basketball player who last played for Goyang Orions of the Korean Basketball League. Landry attended Vincent High School in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and played his college basketball at the University of Wisconsin from 2005 to 2009.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Robert Loe</span> New Zealand basketball player

Robert Loe is a New Zealand professional basketball player for the Auckland Tuatara of the New Zealand National Basketball League (NZNBL). He played college basketball for Saint Louis University and represents the New Zealand national team. He also holds a British passport.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Corey Webster (basketball)</span> New Zealand basketball player

Corey Webster is a New Zealand professional basketball player for the Perth Wildcats of the National Basketball League (NBL). He joined the New Zealand Breakers of the Australian NBL for the first time in 2008 after a season of college basketball in the United States for Lambuth University, and won championships with the club in 2011, 2013 and 2015.

Tai William Evans Wesley is an American professional basketball player. He played college basketball for the Utah State Aggies, where he was named the Western Athletic Conference Player of the Year in 2011. After beginning his career with successful stints in Europe, he made a name for himself in Australia and New Zealand, winning two Australian NBL championships and three New Zealand NBL championships. Wesley also represented the Guam national team on numerous occasions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Deividas Dulkys</span> Lithuanian basketball player

Deividas Dulkys is a Lithuanian former professional basketball player currently working as an assistant coach for player development for the Sacramento Kings of the NBA. He played as a swingman.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mitchell Watt (basketball)</span> American basketball player

Mitchell Watt is an American professional basketball player for Casademont Zaragoza of the Liga ACB. He played college basketball for the University at Buffalo, where he was an All-American and Mid-American Conference (MAC) player of the year.

Dion Anthony Prewster is an American-born New Zealand professional basketball player who last played for the Sandringham Sabres of the NBL1 South. He played college basketball for San Jacinto College and Stephen F. Austin State University.

Dennis Jerome Seeley is an American professional basketball player for U-BT Cluj-Napoca of the Romanian Liga Națională and the EuroCup. He played college basketball for California and Cal State Fullerton.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Melvin Ejim</span> Canadian-Nigerian basketball player

Melvin Obinna Ejim is a Nigerian-Canadian professional basketball player for Unicaja of the Liga ACB. He played college basketball for Iowa State University before playing professionally in Italy, Russia and Spain, as well as the NBA G League.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shawn Jones (basketball)</span>

Shawn Jones is an American-born professional basketball player for Cedevita Olimpija of the Adriatic League and the Slovenian Basketball League. He played college basketball for Middle Tennessee State University, where he was named the Conference USA Men's Basketball Player of the Year in 2014.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tai Webster</span> New Zealand basketball player

Tai Jack Webster is a New Zealand professional basketball player for the Perth Wildcats of the National Basketball League (NBL). Prior to playing college basketball in the United States, Webster won a New Zealand NBL championship with the Auckland Pirates in 2012 and an Australian NBL championship with the Breakers in 2013 as a development player. He played four college seasons for the Nebraska Cornhuskers, earning second-team All-Big Ten as a senior in 2017. He played professionally in Germany and Turkey between 2017 and 2020.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jonathan Tabu</span> Belgian basketball player

Jonathan Tabu is a Belgian professional basketball player who last played for Vanoli Cremona of the Italian Serie A2. Tabu also represents Belgium in international competition.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Halil Kanacević</span> Montenegrin basketball player

Halil Kanacević is an American-born Montenegrin former professional basketball player. He played college basketball at Saint Joseph's University, where he helped lead the team to the 2014 Atlantic 10 championship.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tai Wynyard</span> New Zealand basketball player

Tai Hikuroa Wynyard is a New Zealand professional basketball player who last played for the Canterbury Rams of the New Zealand National Basketball League (NZNBL). He began his career playing in his home country for the New Zealand Breakers of the Australian NBL and the Super City Rangers of the New Zealand NBL. After a two-year stint in the United States playing college basketball for Kentucky, Wynyard returned to the Australian and New Zealand NBL.

Shea Ili is a New Zealand professional basketball player for Melbourne United of the National Basketball League (NBL). Ili was raised in Māngere Bridge, playing his basketball at Onehunga High School and appearing for Counties Manukau in rep teams before appearing in the New Zealand NBL with the Auckland Pirates in 2012. In 2014, he joined the New Zealand Breakers as a development player. That season, he was a member of the Breakers' championship-winning team. In 2016, he was elevated to the Breakers' full-time roster, and in February 2018, he was named the NBL Most Improved Player for the 2017–18 season.

Izayah Mauriohooho-Le'afa is a New Zealand professional basketball player for the New Zealand Breakers of the Australian National Basketball League (NBL). He began his career in the New Zealand NBL, playing three seasons for the Wellington Saints before moving to the United States in 2016 to play college basketball for the Sacramento State Hornets. After graduating in 2020, he played a season for the Auckland Huskies and earned NZNBL Defensive Player of the Year and NZNBL All-Star Five. He subsequently joined the South East Melbourne Phoenix in the NBL and played two seasons before joining the Breakers in 2022.

References

  1. ↑ Hinton, Marc (25 September 2011). "Tall Black Isaac Fotu shoots for the stars". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 12 November 2014.
  2. 1 2 Hinton, Marc (4 July 2011). "NZ Breakers' development players named". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 12 November 2014.
  3. ↑ "Player statistics for Isaac Fotu". FoxSportsPulse.com. Retrieved 12 November 2014.
  4. ↑ "Men's Basketball Signs Elite New Zealand Prospect". HawaiiAthletics.com. 22 November 2011. Retrieved 12 November 2014.
  5. 1 2 3 Lacy, Mike (3 December 2014). "THE ISAAC FOTU STORY". LacyLowDown.com. Retrieved 5 December 2014.
  6. 1 2 3 "Isaac Fotu – 2013–2014 Men's Basketball". HawaiiAthletics.com. Retrieved 12 November 2014.
  7. 1 2 "Isaac Fotu Stats". Sports-Reference.com. Archived from the original on 7 November 2014. Retrieved 12 November 2014.
  8. ↑ DeMello, Rob (29 October 2014). "Fotu ineligible to play for UH, poaching attempts reported by players". Khon2.com. Retrieved 12 November 2014.
  9. ↑ Dauster, Rob (5 November 2014). "Hawaii officially loses star player to professional basketball". NBCSports.com. Retrieved 12 November 2014.
  10. ↑ Hinton, Marc (12 November 2014). "Tall Black Isaac Fotu signs for Spanish club". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 12 November 2014.
  11. ↑ "Isaac Fotu to sign a three-year deal with CAI Zaragoza". Sportando.com. 11 November 2014. Retrieved 12 November 2014.
  12. ↑ "CAI Zaragoza to loan Isaac Fotu to Basquet Manresa". Sportando.com. 25 November 2014. Retrieved 25 November 2014.
  13. ↑ "Regular Season Round 9: La Bruixa d'Or – FIATC Joventut 79–84". Eurobasket.com. Sports I.T. 29 November 2014. Retrieved 5 December 2014.
  14. ↑ Anderson, Niall (8 December 2014). "Fotu Impresses In First Start". NZhoops.co.nz. Archived from the original on 10 December 2014. Retrieved 8 December 2014.
  15. ↑ "El CAI Zaragoza acaricia la hazaña con una gran remontada (75–78)". BasketZaragoza.net (in Spanish). 11 May 2016. Retrieved 18 May 2016.
  16. ↑ "Isaac Fotu has signed with Treviso Basket". Sportando. 22 July 2019. Retrieved 9 September 2019.
  17. ↑ "Umana Reyer Venezia officially signs Isaac Fotu". Sportando. 6 July 2020. Retrieved 6 July 2020.
  18. ↑ "Isaac Fotu, Reyer Venezia part ways". Sportando. 28 June 2021. Retrieved 28 June 2021.
  19. ↑ "#42 アイザック・フォトゥ選手、新規入団のお知らせ". utsunomiyabrex.com (in Japanese). 20 July 2021.
  20. ↑ Chapman, Grant (27 November 2011). "Basketball: Young Fotu set for Hawaii life". NZHerald.co.nz. Retrieved 12 November 2014.
  21. ↑ "2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup – Isaac Fotu". FIBA.com. Archived from the original on 3 September 2014. Retrieved 12 November 2014.
  22. ↑ Hinton, Marc (10 July 2015). "Isaac Fotu ready to take another giant leap with Tall Blacks". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 20 August 2015.
  23. ↑ Arsenis, Damian (8 August 2015). "Webster and Fotu lead Tall Blacks to the Stankovic Cup". PickAndRoll.com.au. Retrieved 20 August 2015.
  24. ↑ "Australia vs New Zealand". FIBALiveStats.com. 15 August 2015. Archived from the original on 29 September 2015. Retrieved 20 August 2015.
  25. ↑ "New Zealand vs Australia". FIBALiveStats.com. 18 August 2015. Archived from the original on 29 September 2015. Retrieved 20 August 2015.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.