Jón Axel Guðmundsson
{{short description|Icelandic basketball player}}
{{icelandic name|Jón Axel}}
{{Infobox basketball biography
| name = Jón Axel Guðmundsson
| image = Jón Axel Guðmundsson.jpg
| caption =
| league = Primera FEB
| team = San Pablo Burgos
| position = Point guard
| height_cm = 195
| weight_kg = 90
| number =
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1996|10|27|df=y}}
| birth_place = Grindavík, Iceland
| nationality = Icelandic
| high_school = Church Farm School
(Exton, Pennsylvania)
| college = Davidson (2016–2020)
| draft_year = 2020
| career_start = 2011
| career_end =
| years1 = 2011–2016
| team1 = Grindavík
| years2 = 2020–2021
| team2 = Skyliners Frankfurt
| years3 = 2021–2022
| team3 = Fortitudo Bologna
| years4 = 2022
| team4 = Crailsheim Merlins
| years5 = 2022
| team5 = Grindavík
| years6 = 2022–2023
| team6 = Victoria Libertas Pesaro
| years7 = 2023–2024
| team7 = Lucentum Alicante
| years8 = 2024–present
| team8 = San Pablo Burgos
| highlights =
- Primera FEB champion (2025)
- 2× Icelandic league champion (2012, 2013)
- 2× Icelandic Supercup (2012, 2013)
- Icelandic Basketball Cup (2014)
- Atlantic 10 Player of the Year (2019)
- First-team All-Atlantic 10 (2019)
- Third-team All-Atlantic 10 (2020)
| medal_templates =
{{MedalSport|Men's basketball}}
{{MedalCountry|{{bk|ISL}}}}
{{MedalCompetition|Games of the Small States of Europe}}
{{MedalBronze|2017 San Marino|Team}}
}}
Jón Axel Guðmundsson (born 27 October 1996) is an Icelandic professional basketball player. He played college basketball for the Davidson Wildcats. He won two national championships with Grindavík in 2012 and 2013 and the Icelandic Basketball Cup in 2014.
Playing career
=Grindavík=
After coming up through the junior ranks of Grindavík, Jón Axel played his first senior match with the club in 2011. He won the Icelandic championship with the club in 2012 and 2013 and the Icelandic Basketball Cup in 2014.{{cite news|author1=Kristján Jónsson|title=Guðmundur Braga réð syninum heilt|url=http://www.mbl.is/sport/korfubolti/2014/02/22/gudmundur_braga_red_syninum_heilt/|access-date=6 December 2017|work=Morgunblaðið|date=22 February 2014|language=is}}
=Church Farm=
Jón Axel started the 2014–2015 season with Church Farm School,{{cite news|author1=Óskar Ófeigur Jónsson|title=Jón Axel að standa sig vel í Bandaríkjunum|url=http://www.visir.is/g/2014141218754|access-date=6 December 2017|work=Vísir.is|date=19 December 2014|language=is}} averaging a team best 21 points per game before the christmas break.{{cite news |author1=Peter DiGiovanni |title=Church Farm School suffers big loss |url=http://www.pressreader.com/usa/daily-local-news-west-chester-pa/20150112/281861526884736 |access-date=18 October 2018 |work=Daily Local News |date=12 January 2015}} In January 2015, he decided to leave the school and return to Grindavík.{{cite news|title=Jón Axel og Ingvi snúa heim|url=http://www.karfan.is/read/2015/01/02/jon-axel-og-ingvi-snua-heim|access-date=6 December 2017|work=Karfan.is|date=2 January 2015|language=is}}
=Return to Grindavík=
In 12 regular-season games with Grindavík during the 2014–2015 season, Jón Axel averaged 15.6 points and 6.4 assists per game. He had a rough first-round series against eventual champions KR, going scoreless in game two and averaging only 6.7 points in the three-game sweep.{{cite web |title=Úrvalsdeild karla Domino´s deildin (2015 Tímabil) - Jón Axel Guðmundsson |url=http://kki.is/motamal/leikir-og-urslit/motayfirlit/Leikmadur?league_id=undefined&season_id=89027&player_id=9828 |website=kki.is |publisher=Icelandic Basketball Federation |access-date=18 October 2018 |language=is}}
During the 2015-2016 season, Jón Axel continued his improvement, averaging a career high 16.8 points and 8.0 rebounds, along with 5.2 assists per game.{{cite web |title=Úrvalsdeild karla Domino´s deildin (2016 Tímabil) - Jón Axel Guðmundsson |url=http://kki.is/motamal/leikir-og-urslit/motayfirlit/Leikmadur?league_id=undefined&season_id=90989&player_id=9828 |website=kki.is |publisher=Icelandic Basketball Federation |access-date=18 October 2018 |language=is}} He scored a career high 35 points against Keflavík on 8 February 2016.{{cite news |author1=Sveinn Ólafur Magnússon |title=Umfjöllun og viðtöl: Keflavík - Grindavík 88-101 - Grindvíkingar bitu frá sér |url=http://www.visir.is/g/2016160208907 |access-date=18 October 2018 |work=Vísir.is |date=8 February 2016 |language=is}} In the playoffs, Grindavík faced KR again in the first round. Jón Axel posted a triple double in the first game, with 10 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assist but despite his performance, KR won 85-67.{{cite news |author1=Kristinn Páll Teitsson |title=Umfjöllun og viðtöl: KR - Grindavík 85-67 - Sannfærandi hjá meisturunum |url=http://www.visir.is/g/2016160318829 |access-date=18 October 2018 |work=Vísir.is |date=17 March 2016 |language=is}} KR blew out Grindavík in the next two games and completed another three game sweep for the second year in a row.{{cite news |title=KR áfram en Grindavík í sumarfrí |url=https://www.karfan.is/2016/03/kr-afram-en-grindavik-i-sumarfri/ |access-date=18 October 2018 |work=Karfan.is |date=23 March 2016 |language=is}} For the series, Jón Axel averaged 8.3 points, 8.3 rebounds and 5.7 assists.
=College=
Jón Axel joined Davidson College in 2016.{{cite news|author1=Óskar Ófeigur Jónsson|title=Jón Axel fer í sama skóla og Stephen Curry|url=http://www.visir.is/g/2016160419564|access-date=6 December 2017|work=Vísir.is|date=13 April 2016|language=is}} On 26 December 2016, he was named the Atlantic 10 Conference Rookie of the Week.{{cite news|title=Jón Axel nýliði vikunnar|url=http://www.vf.is/utivist/jon-axel-nylidi-vikunnar/73281|access-date=6 December 2017|work=Víkurfréttir|date=27 December 2016|language=is}} On 23 November 2017, he was named the Atlantic 10 Conference Player of the Week.{{cite news|title=Jón Axel heiðraður|url=http://www.mbl.is/sport/korfubolti/2017/11/15/jon_axel_heidradur/|access-date=6 December 2017|work=Morgunblaðið|date=15 November 2017|language=is}}{{cite news|title=Gudmundsson and Grady Earn A-10 Weekly Honors|url=http://www.wbtv.com/story/36832896/gudmundsson-and-grady-earn-a-10-weekly-honors|access-date=6 December 2017|work=WBTV|date=13 November 2017}}
On 11 March 2018, Jón Axel won the Atlantic 10 Conference championship with Davidson{{cite news|author1=Ástrós Ýr Eggertsdóttir|title=Jón Axel í úrslitakeppni bandaríska háskólaboltans|url=http://www.visir.is/g/2018180319844/jon-axel-i-urslitakeppni-bandariska-haskolaboltans|access-date=12 March 2018|work=Vísir.is|date=11 March 2018|language=is}} and helped the team advance to the 2018 NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament.{{cite news|author1=Óskar Ófeigur Jónsson|title=Menn eru að taka eftir Jóni Axel í marsfárinu - Einn af 10 bestu Evrópumönnunum|url=http://www.visir.is/g/2018180319293/menn-eru-ad-taka-eftir-joni-axel-i-marsfarinu-einn-af-10-bestu-evropumonnunum|access-date=15 March 2018|work=Vísir.is|date=15 March 2018|language=is}} He averaged 13.2 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 5.1 assists per game as a sophomore.{{cite web |last1=Dionysis |first1=Aravantinos |title=Jon Gudmundsson: "I want to make it to the NBA" |url=https://www.eurohoops.net/en/interviews/644891/jon-gudmundsson-want-make-nba/ |website=EuroHoops.net |access-date=18 October 2018 |date=1 April 2018}}
Coming into his junior season. Jón Axel was named to the Preseason Third Team All-Atlantic 10.{{cite web|title=Saint Louis Picked to Win A-10 Men's Basketball|url=http://www.atlantic10.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=31600&ATCLID=211776444|website=Atlantic 10 Conference|publisher=Atlantic10.com|access-date=18 October 2018|date=18 October 2018}} On 17 November 2018, Jón Axel scored 33 points in Davidson's 57–53 victory over Wichita State in the opening round of the Charleston Classic.{{cite news |author1=Óskar Ófeigur Jónsson |title="Jonny Ice" stóð undir nafni í bandaríska háskólaboltanum í nótt |url=http://www.visir.is/g/2018181119137/-jonny-ice-stod-undir-nafni-i-bandariska-haskolaboltanum-i-nott |work=Vísir.is |date=16 November 2018 |language=is}}{{cite news |title=Gudmundsson scores 33 points as Davidson rallies past Wichita State |url=https://www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/college/article221751165.html |access-date=17 November 2018 |work=The Charlotte Observer |date=15 November 2018}} On 26 January 2019, Jón Axel scored 27 points, including two free throws with 5 seconds left,{{cite news |title=Gudmundsson's late foul shots, 27 points lift Davidson to victory |url=https://www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/college/article225137880.html |access-date=27 January 2019 |work=The Charlotte Observer |date=26 January 2019}} in Davidson's 54–53 victory against Saint Louis.{{cite news |author1=Anton Ingi Leifsson |title=Jón Axel skoraði helming stiga Davidson og tryggði þeim sigurinn |url=http://www.visir.is/g/2019190129048/jon-axel-skoradi-helming-stiga-davidson-og-tryggdi-theim-sigurinn |access-date=27 January 2019 |work=Vísir.is |date=26 January 2019 |language=is}} On 22 February 2019, he posted a triple-double, 20 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists, in a 75–66 victory over Rhode Island. It was the first triple-double for a Davidson player since John Falconi had 17 points, 12 rebounds and 11 assists in 1973.{{cite news |title=Gudmundsson's triple-double sparks Davidson to win |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/gudmundssons-triple-double-sparks-davidson-to-win/ |access-date=23 February 2019 |work=The Seattle Times |agency=The Associated Press |date=22 February 2019}} On 25 February he was named the Atlantic 10 Player of the Week after averaging 23.0 points, 9.0 rebounds and 7.5 assists during the week of 18–24 February.{{cite news |author1=Óskar Ófeigur Jónsson |title=Jón Axel valinn besti leikmaður vikunnar í Atlantic 10 |url=http://www.visir.is/g/2019190229257/jon-axel-valinn-besti-leikmadur-vikunnar-i-atlantic-10 |access-date=25 February 2019 |work=Vísir.is |date=25 February 2019 |language=is}}{{cite news |title=Gundmundsson, Toppin Earn Atlantic 10 Player, Rookie of the Week Honors |url=http://www.atlantic10.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=31600&ATCLID=211792531 |access-date=25 February 2019 |work=atlantic10.com |date=25 February 2019}}
On 12 March 2019, Jón Axel was named the Atlantic 10 Player of the Year as well as being selected to the First-team All-Atlantic 10 after averaging 17.2 points, 7.3 rebounds and 4.7 assists per game for the season.{{cite news |author1=Kristinn Páll Teitsson |title=Jón Axel valinn bestur í A-10 deildinni í vetur |url=https://www.frettabladid.is/sport/jon-axel-valinn-bestur-i-a-10-deildinni-i-vetur |access-date=12 March 2019 |work=Fréttablaðið |date=12 March 2019 |language=is}}
In April 2019, Jón Axel declared for the 2019 NBA draft.{{cite news |author1=David Scott |title=Davidson's Jon Axel Gudmundsson, Kellan Grady to test NBA draft |url=https://www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/college/article229369064.html |access-date=17 April 2019 |work=The Charlotte Observer |date=17 April 2019}} In May 2019, he had workouts with the Sacramento Kings and the Utah Jazz.{{cite news |author1=Óskar Ófeigur Jónsson |title="Good-mund-son" æfir með Utah Jazz í dag |url=https://www.visir.is/g/2019190529368/-good-mund-son-aefir-med-utah-jazz-i-dag |access-date=24 May 2019 |work=Vísir.is |date=24 May 2019 |language=is}} On 27 May, he announced that he would withdraw from the draft and return to Davidson for the 2019–20 season.{{cite news |author1=Ingvi Þór Sæmundsson |title=Jón Axel dregur sig út úr nýliðavalinu og snýr aftur til Davidson |url=https://www.visir.is/g/2019190528984/jon-axel-dregur-sig-ut-ur-nylidavalinu-og-snyr-aftur-til-davidson |access-date=27 May 2019 |work=Vísir.is |date=27 May 2019 |language=is}}
In December 2019, Jón Axel was named to the U.S. Basketball Writers Association watch list for the Oscar Robertson Trophy.{{cite news |author1=Ingvi Þór Sæmundsson |title=Jón Axel tilnefndur til verðlauna sem Jordan, Abdul-Jabbar og Bird hafa fengið |url=https://www.visir.is/g/2019191209383/jon-axel-tilnefndur-til-verdlauna-sem-jordan-abdul-jabbar-og-bird-hafa-fengid |access-date=16 December 2019 |work=Vísir.is |date=6 December 2019 |language=is}}
In 2020 he became the first Division I men's player since 1993 to hit career marks of 1,500 points, 700 rebounds, 500 assists, 200 made 3-pointers and 150 steals.{{cite news |title=Iceland's 'basketball family' chasing dreams at US colleges |url=https://www.foxnews.com/sports/icelands-basketball-family-chasing-dreams-at-us-colleges |access-date=13 February 2020 |work=Fox News |date=12 February 2020}} At the close of the regular season, he was named to the Third Team All-Atlantic 10.{{cite web|url=https://atlantic10.com/news/2020/3/10/toppin-named-atlantic-10-player-of-the-year-grant-voted-coach-of-the-year.aspx|title=Toppin Named Atlantic 10 Player of the Year, Grant Voted Coach of the Year|work=Atlantic 10 Conference|date=10 March 2020|access-date=10 March 2020}}
With the 2019–20 season having been his final season of college eligibility, Jón Axel was automatically eligible for the 2020 NBA draft.{{cite news |author1=Davíð Eldur |title=Jón Axel í nýliðaval NBA deildarinnar |url=https://www.karfan.is/2020/03/jon-axel-i-nylidaval-nba-deildarinnar/ |access-date=31 March 2020 |work=Karfan.is |date=31 March 2020 |language=is}}
=Skyliners Frankfurt=
On 15 July 2020, he signed with the Fraport Skyliners of the Basketball Bundesliga (BBL).{{cite news |title=Fraport Skyliners announce Icelandic rookie Jon Axel Gudmundsson |url=https://sportando.basketball/en/fraport-skyliners-announce-icelandic-rookie-jon-axel-gudmundsson/ |website=Sportando |access-date=15 July 2020 |date=15 July 2020}} For the season, he averaged 12.3 points, 3.1 rebounds and 3.7 assists per game.{{cite news |author1=Ingvi Þór Sæmundsson |title=Jón Axel leikur með Phoenix Suns í sumardeild NBA |url=https://www.visir.is/g/20212136983d/jon-axel-leikur-med-phoenix-suns-i-sumardeild-nba |access-date=27 July 2021 |work=Vísir.is |date=26 July 2021 |language=Icelandic}} In July 2021, it was announced that he would play for the Phoenix Suns in the 2021 NBA Summer League.{{cite news |author1=Ingvi Þór Sæmundsson |title=Vonast til að komast að í NBA og möguleikarnir meiri en oftast áður |url=https://www.visir.is/g/20212137223d/vonast-til-ad-komast-ad-i-nba-og-moguleikarnir-meiri-en-oftast-adur |access-date=28 July 2021 |work=Vísir.is |date=28 July 2021 |language=Icelandic}}
=Fortitudo Bologna=
On 18 August 2021, he signed with Fortitudo Bologna of the Lega Basket Serie A (LBA).{{Cite web|url=https://sportando.basketball/en/jon-axel-gudmundsson-joins-fortitudo-bologna/|title=Jon Axel Gudmundsson joins Fortitudo Bologna|last=|first=|date=18 August 2021|website=|publisher=Sportando|language=En|access-date=18 August 2021}}
=Crailsheim Merlins=
On 18 January 2022 he signed with Crailsheim Merlins of Germany's Basketball Bundesliga.{{Cite web|url=https://sportando.basketball/en/jon-axel-gudmundsson-joins-merlins-crailsheim/|title=Jon Axel Gudmundsson joins Merlins Crailsheim|last=|first=|date=January 18, 2022|website=|publisher=Sportando|language=En|access-date=January 19, 2022}}
=Return to Grindavík=
In September 2022, he worked out for the Golden State Warriors along with several other veteran players.{{cite news |title=Jón æfir með Golden State Warriors |url=https://www.mbl.is/sport/korfubolti/2022/09/07/jon_aefir_med_golden_state_warriors/ |access-date=8 September 2022 |work=Morgunblaðið |date=7 September 2022 |language=Icelandic}} After contemplating offers from teams in Europe and the G-League, Jón Axel joined Grindavík in October 2022.{{cite news |author1=Sindri Sverrisson |title=Jón Axel klár í slaginn með Grindavík |url=https://www.visir.is/g/20222325473d/jon-axel-klar-i-slaginn-med-grindavik |access-date=17 October 2022 |work=Vísir.is |date=17 October 2022 |language=Icelandic}}{{cite news |title=Jón Axel semur við Grindavík |url=https://www.karfan.is/2022/10/jon-axel-semur-vid-grindavik/ |access-date=19 October 2022 |work=Karfan.is |date=19 October 2022 |language=Icelandic |archive-date=8 December 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221208153343/https://www.karfan.is/2022/10/jon-axel-semur-vid-grindavik/ |url-status=dead }}
=Victoria Libertas Pesaro=
On 1 November 2022 he signed with Victoria Libertas Pesaro of the Italian Lega Basket Serie A (LBA).{{Cite web|url=https://sportando.basketball/en/pesaro-signs-gudmundsson/|title=VL Pesaro signs Jon Axel Gudmundsson|last=|first=|date=November 1, 2022|website=|publisher=Sportando|language=En|access-date=November 2, 2022}}
=CB Lucentum Alicante=
In August 2023, Jón Axel signed with CB Lucentum Alicante of the Spanish LEB Oro.{{cite news |title=Grindvíkingurinn kominn til Spánar |url=https://www.mbl.is/sport/korfubolti/2023/08/30/grindvikingurinn_kominn_til_spanar/ |access-date=30 August 2023 |work=Morgunblaðið |date=30 August 2023 |language=Icelandic}}
=San Pablo Burgos=
Jón Axel signed with San Pablo Burgos ahead of the 2024-2025 season. In April 2025, he helped Burgos secure the Primera FEB championship and promotion to the Liga ACB.{{cite news |author1=Sindri Sverrisson |title=Ítölsk stelpa ferðaðist 1.800 kílómetra til að sjá Jón Axel |url=https://www.visir.is/g/20252718117d/itolsk-stelpa-ferdadist-1.800-kilometra-til-ad-sja-jon-axel |access-date=24 April 2025 |work=Vísir.is |date=24 April 2025 |language=Icelandic}}
National team career
In 2014, Jón Axel was named tournament MVP of U-18 Nordic Championship after averaging 29.3 points per game for the Icelandic U-18 team.{{cite news|title=Jón Axel bestur á NM|url=http://www.vf.is/ithrottir/jon-axel-bestur-a-nm/62283|access-date=6 December 2017|work=Víkurfréttir|date=3 June 2014|language=is}} He helped Iceland's U20 team finish second in the 2016 FIBA Europe Under-20 Championship Division B. For his effort he was named to the All-Tournament team.{{cite news|title=Kári og Jón Axel báðir valdir í úrvalslið mótsins|url=http://www.visir.is/g/2016160729430|access-date=6 December 2017|work=Vísir.is|date=24 July 2016|language=is}}
Jón Axel played five games for the Icelandic men's national basketball team during the 2017 Games of the Small States of Europe. He did not fight for a spot on Iceland's EuroBasket 2017 team due to injuries.{{cite news|author1=Óskar Ófeigur Jónsson|title=Jón Axel mun ekki berjast um sæti í Eurobasket-hópnum|url=http://www.visir.is/g/2017170718815|access-date=6 December 2017|work=Vísir.is|date=19 July 2017|language=is}}{{cite web|url=http://kki.is/landslid/karlar/leikjafjoldi/a-landslid/|publisher=kki.is|title=KKÍ | A landslið |access-date=2017-04-03}}
Career statistics
{{NBA player statistics legend}}
=College=
{{NBA player statistics start}}
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| 2016–17
| style="text-align:left;"| Davidson
| 31 || 29 || 31.8 || .411 || .327 || .733 || 4.0 || 3.5 || 1.1 || .1 || 8.2
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| 2017–18
| style="text-align:left;"| Davidson
| 33 || 33 || 35.8 || .460 || .406 || .796 || 6.0 || 5.1 || 1.3 || .0 || 13.2
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| 2018–19
| style="text-align:left;"| Davidson
| 34 || 34 || 36.8 || .460 || .353 || .826 || 7.3 || 4.8 || 1.3 || .1 || 16.9
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| 2019–20
| style="text-align:left;"| Davidson
| 30 || 30 || 35.5 || .420 || .339 || .769 || 7.1 || 4.3 || 1.2 || .1 || 14.5
|- class="sortbottom"
| style="text-align:center;" colspan="2"| Career
| 128 || 126 || 35.0 || .441 || .358 || .791 || 6.1 || 4.4 || 1.3 || .1 || 13.3
{{S-end}}
Personal life
Jón Axel is the son of Stefanía S. Jónsdóttir, a former member of the Icelandic women's national basketball team,{{cite web|title=A-Landslið kvenna|url=http://kki.is/landslid/konur/leikjafjoldi/a-landslid/|website=kki.is|publisher=Icelandic Basketball Federation|access-date=19 April 2018|language=is}}{{cite news|title=Grindvíkingar til umfjöllunar í St. Louis|url=https://www.mbl.is/sport/korfubolti/2018/04/18/grindvikingar_til_umfjollunar_i_st_louis/|access-date=19 April 2018|work=Morgunblaðið|date=18 April 2018|language=is}} and Guðmundur Bragason, a former professional basketball player and the highest capped player in the Icelandic men's national basketball team history. His younger brother is basketball player Ingvi Þór Guðmundsson.{{cite news |title=Í fótspor foreldranna |url=https://www.mbl.is/sport/korfubolti/2020/12/10/i_fotspor_foreldranna/ |access-date=5 March 2021 |work=Morgunblaðið |date=10 December 2020 |language=Icelandic}}
Awards, titles and accomplishments
=Individual awards=
==College==
- Atlantic 10 Player of the Year :2019
- First-team All-Atlantic 10: 2019
==National teams==
- U-18 Nordic Championship MVP: 2014
- FIBA Europe U-20 Championship Division B All-Tournament Team: 2016
=Titles=
==Iceland==
- Icelandic league champion (2): 2012, 2013
- Icelandic Supercup (2): 2012, 2013
- Icelandic Basketball Cup: 2014
- Icelandic Company Cup: 2011
==College==
- Atlantic 10 Conference champion: 2018
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- [http://kki.is/motamal/leikir-og-urslit/motayfirlit/Leikmadur?league_id=undefined&season_id=90989&player_id=9828 Icelandic statistics]
- [http://www.davidsonwildcats.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=5812 Davidson Wildcats bio]
- [https://basketball.realgm.com/player/Jon-Axel-Gudmundsson/Summary/52080 RealGM profile]
{{Atlantic 10 Conference Men's Basketball Player of the Year navbox}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Gudmundsson, Jon Axel}}
Category:CB Lucentum Alicante players
Category:Crailsheim Merlins players
Category:Davidson Wildcats men's basketball players
Category:Fortitudo Pallacanestro Bologna players
Category:Lega Basket Serie A players