Joe Ragland

{{Infobox basketball biography

| name = Joe Ragland

| image = File:Joe Ragland.jpg

| image_size = 150px

| caption = Ragland in 2013, while at Pallacanestro Cantù.

| position = Point guard

| height_m = 1.83

| weight_kg = 85

| league = Israeli Premier League

| team = Hapoel Tel Aviv

| number = 1

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1989|11|28}}

| birth_place = Springfield, Massachusetts, U.S.

| nationality = American / Liberian

| high_school = West Springfield
(West Springfield, Massachusetts)

| college =

North Platte CC (2008–2010)
Wichita State (2010–2012)

| draft_year = 2012

| career_start = 2012

| years1 = 2012–2013

| team1 = Murcia

| years2 = 2013–2014

| team2 = Cantù

| years3 = 2014–2015

| team3 = Olimpia Milano

| years4 = 2015

| team4 = Karşıyaka

| years5 = 2015–2017

| team5 = Felice Scandone

| years6 = 2017–2018

| team6 = Lokomotiv Kuban

| years7 = 2018–2019

| team7 = Crvena zvezda

| years8 = 2019–2020

| team8 = Cantù

| years9 = 2020–2021

| team9 = Hapoel Eilat

| years10 = 2021–2023

| team10 = Hapoel Holon

| years11 = 2023–2024

| team11 = Peristeri Athens

| years12 = 2024–present

| team12 = Hapoel Tel Aviv

| highlights =

EuroCup champion (2025)
2× All-FIBA Champions League First Team (2022, 2024)
3× FIBA Champions League assists leader (2022–2024)
Italian League All-Star (2014)
All-Greek League Second Team (2024)
Greek League assists leader (2024)
Russian Cup winner (2018)
Adriatic League champion (2019)
All-Adriatic League Team (2019)
Adriatic Supercup winner (2018)
Israeli Premier League champion (2022)
Israeli Premier League Finals MVP (2022)
All-Israeli Premier League First Team (2023)
Serbian League champion (2019)
NIT champion (2011)
First-team All-MVC (2012)
First-team NJCAA All-American (2010)

}}

Joseph Alexander Ragland (born November 11, 1989) is an American-Liberian professional basketball player for Hapoel Tel Aviv of the Israeli Premier League. He played college basketball for North Platte Community College and Wichita State.

Early life

Ragland was born in Springfield, Massachusetts. He played basketball for West Springfield High School, where he earned the Lahovich Award as a senior.

College career

After graduating from high school, Ragland committed to North Platte Community College, of the NJCAA.{{cite web | url=http://www.goshockers.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=111 | title=Joe Ragland player bio | publisher=Wichita State Athletics | access-date=6 November 2016}} Ragland was named a First Team NJCAA All-American selection in 2010,{{cite web | url=http://npccknights.com/sports/2013/8/15/MBB_AllAmericans.aspx?id=71 | title=NJCAA Basketball All - Americans | publisher=North Platte Community College Athletics | access-date=6 November 2016 | archive-date=November 6, 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161106185523/http://npccknights.com/sports/2013/8/15/MBB_AllAmericans.aspx?id=71 | url-status=dead }} as he led his team to an NJCAA tournament appearance,{{cite news | url=http://content.usatoday.com/communities/campusrivalry/post/2012/02/holding-court-q-and-a-with-wichita-states-joe-ragland/1#.WB8G99SLRpQ | title=Holding Court: Q and A with Wichita State's Joe Ragland | newspaper=USA Today | date=11 February 2016 | access-date=6 November 2016 | author=Auerbach, Nicole}} averaging 18.4 points per game, on 56% shooting from the field. Ragland finished his career at North Platte, as the college's all-time leading scorer, with 1,286 total points scored,{{cite web | url=http://npccknights.com/sports/2013/10/19/MBB_Points.aspx?id=83 | title=Points Scored Records | publisher=North Platte Community College Athletics | access-date=6 November 2016 | archive-date=November 6, 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161106185622/http://npccknights.com/sports/2013/10/19/MBB_Points.aspx?id=83 | url-status=dead }} with career averages of 19.5 points and 3.1 assists per game.

Ragland's performances at North Platte caught the eye of Gregg Marshall, who offered him a scholarship at Wichita State. As a junior with the Shockers, Ragland started 19 games, and led the team in assists. He helped the Shockers to win the 2011 NIT championship. Ragland had a career-high scoring performance against UNLV, with 31 points, to go along with another career high of 8 three-pointers made.{{cite news | url=http://lasvegassun.com/news/2011/dec/04/unlv-doesnt-match-wichita-states-energy-loss/ | title=UNLV doesn't match Wichita State's energy in loss | newspaper=Las Vegas Sun | date=4 December 2011 | access-date=6 November 2016 | author=Bern, Taylor}} In his senior college season, Ragland averaged 13.4 points per game, and ranked first nationally in true shooting percentage, at 70.4%.{{cite news | url=http://www.kansas.com/sports/college/wichita-state/shockwaves/article104075951.html | title=Watch former Wichita State guard Joe Ragland make a game-winning triplazo in Supercoppa | newspaper=The Wichita Eagle | date=25 September 2016 | access-date=6 November 2016 | author=Suellentrop, Paul}} For his performances in the 2011–12 season, he was voted to the First Team of the Missouri Valley Conference.{{cite web | url=http://www.mvc-sports.com/mbasketball/news/2011-12/5825/doug-mcdermott-named-larry-bird-player-of-the-year/#.WB8bbNSLRpQ | title=Doug McDermott Named Larry Bird Player of the Year | publisher=Missouri Valley Conference | date=28 February 2012 | access-date=6 November 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150326101211/http://www.mvc-sports.com/mbasketball/news/2011-12/5825/doug-mcdermott-named-larry-bird-player-of-the-year/#.WB8bbNSLRpQ | archive-date=26 March 2015 | url-status=dead }} In total, over his two seasons with the Shockers, Ragland appeared in 69 games, and had averages of 10 points, 3 assists, and 2.3 rebounds per game.{{cite web | url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/players/joe-ragland-1.html | title=Joe Ragland College Stats | publisher=Sports Reference College Basketball | access-date=6 November 2016}}

Professional career

Following two solid years as the starting point guard for Wichita State, Ragland entered the 2012 NBA draft. However, he went undrafted. He next played in the 2012 NBA Summer League, with the Golden State Warriors' summer league squad; although he played in all 5 games for the undefeated Warriors summer league team, he was not able to secure an NBA contract with the Warriors.[http://www.nba.com/summer-league/2012/players/sl_joe_ragland "Joe Ragland - 2012 Summer League Statistics"], NBA. Retrieved on 17 March 2015.

=Murcia (2012–2013)=

In August 2012, Ragland moved to Europe, to start his professional career, after he signed his first pro contract with UCAM Murcia, of the Spanish Liga ACB. He signed a two-year contract with the Spanish club.[http://www.acb.com/redaccion.php?id=87233 "Joe Ragland, American point guard for UCAM Murcia".] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402131223/http://www.acb.com/redaccion.php?id=87233 |date=April 2, 2015 }} Liga ACB, acb.com, 26 August 2010. Retrieved on 17 March 2015. After accounting himself well for Murcia, who were not in playoff contention, nor in relegation danger, he was loaned near the end of the season, in April 2013.

=Cantù (2013–2014)=

In 2013, Ragland was loaned by UCAM Murcia, to the Italian A League side Cantù, to play in the Serie A playoffs.[http://www.acb.com/redaccion.php?id=93655 "Joe Ragland has been ceded to Levono Cantú until the end of the season".] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402130230/http://www.acb.com/redaccion.php?id=93655 |date=April 2, 2015 }} Liga ACB, acb.com, 30 April 2013. Retrieved on 17 March 2015. He proved to be an instant hit in Italy, as he played in all of his team's games, and contributed greatly to their run to the league's semi-finals.

Cantù then moved to secure him for the next season, and signed him to a one-year deal in July.[http://www.pallacanestrocantu.com/news.aspx?lang=it&idnews=3717 "Pallacanestro Cantù confirms Joe Ragland".] Pallacanestro Cantù, 13 July 2013. Retrieved on 17 March 2015. It proved to be a wise move for the club, as Ragland became an indisputable starter, and contributed greatly to the team, in both the Italian league, where he made the Lega All-Star Game, and in the European-wide second-tier level EuroCup, where he was the MVP of Round 4 of the competition.[https://web.archive.org/web/20150402100621/http://www.eurocupbasketball.com/eurocup/news/i/122557/regular-season-round-4-mvp-joe-ragland-foxtown-cantu "Regular Season Round 4 MVP: Joe Ragland, FoxTown Cantu".] EuroCup, 7 November 2013. Retrieved on 17 March 2015.

=Olimpia Milano (2014–2015)=

Ragland's performances with Cantù caught the eye of the Italian EuroLeague club Emporio Armani Milano, especially after he scored a season-high 27 points against them in April 2014. Ragland signed a two-year contract with Milano in July.{{cite news|title="My Name is Joe": here we have Ragland!|url=http://www.olimpiamilano.com/en/my-name-is-joe-here-we-have-ragland/|access-date=13 April 2015|work=olimpiamilano.com|date=17 July 2014}}

Ragland and Milano agreed to rescind the player's contract in July 2015.{{cite web |url=http://www.olimpiamilano.com/en/olimpia-and-joe-ragland-part-ways/ |title=Olimpia and Joe Ragland part ways |author= |date=8 July 2015 |website=Olimpia Milano |access-date=8 July 2015}}

=Karşıyaka (2015)=

On July 29, 2015, Ragland signed a one-year deal with the Turkish Super League club Pınar Karşıyaka.{{cite news|title=Karsiyaka inks point guard Ragland|url=http://www.euroleague.net/news/i/68gunkkdcickoky5|access-date=July 29, 2015|work=Euroleague.net|date=July 29, 2015}}

=Avellino (2015–2017)=

On December 9, 2015, Ragland left Karşıyaka, and he signed with the Italian League club Sidigas Avellino, for the rest of the season.{{cite news|title=Sidigas Avellino announces Joe Ragland|url=http://www.sportando.com/en/italy/serie-a/184338/sidigas-avellino-announces-joe-ragland.html|access-date=December 10, 2015|work=Sportando.com|date=December 9, 2015}} On June 15, 2016, he re-signed with Avellino for one more season.{{cite news|title=Scandone Avellino officially re-signs Joe Ragland|url=http://www.sportando.com/en/italy/serie-a/202261/scandone-avellino-officially-re-signs-joe-ragland.html|access-date=July 21, 2017|work=Sportando.com|date=June 15, 2016}}

=Lokomotiv Kuban (2017–2018)=

On July 21, 2017, Ragland signed a two-year deal with the Russian VTB United League club club Lokomotiv Kuban.{{cite news|title=Lokomotiv Kuban tabs playmaker Ragland|url=http://www.eurocupbasketball.com/eurocup/news/i/7ymoxylta785j8wa/lokomotiv-kuban-tabs-playmaker-ragland|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170725180232/http://www.eurocupbasketball.com/eurocup/news/i/7ymoxylta785j8wa/lokomotiv-kuban-tabs-playmaker-ragland|url-status=dead|archive-date=July 25, 2017|access-date=July 21, 2017|work=Eurocupbasketball.com|date=July 21, 2017}}

=Red Star Belgrade (2018–2019)=

On August 10, 2018, Ragland moved to Belgrade, and signed with the Serbian Adriatic League club Crvena zvezda (Red Star Belgtade), for the 2018–19 season, with an additional option for one more year.{{cite web |title=Joe Ragland mnovi plejmejker Crvene zvezde mts!!! |url=http://www.kkcrvenazvezda.rs/dzo-regland-novi-plejmejker-crvene-zvezde-mts-10-08-2018.html |website=kkcrvenazvezda.rs |access-date=10 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180810205703/http://www.kkcrvenazvezda.rs/dzo-regland-novi-plejmejker-crvene-zvezde-mts-10-08-2018.html |archive-date=10 August 2018 |url-status=dead }}

=Darüşşafaka İstanbul (2019)=

On July 19, 2019, Ragland signed a one-year deal with the Turkish Super League club Darüşşafaka Tekfen,{{cite web |title=Darussafaka joins forces with Ragland |url=https://www.eurocupbasketball.com/eurocup/news/i/9t8luhunk3dqdb9m |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190719073126/https://www.eurocupbasketball.com/eurocup/news/i/9t8luhunk3dqdb9m |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 19, 2019 |website=eurocupbasketball.com |access-date=19 July 2019}} but he never appeared in any games with the team, because of an injury.{{cite web |title=Club Announcement |url=https://darussafakabasketbol.com/en/club-announcement/ |publisher=darussafakabasketbol.com |date=9 September 2019 }}

=Cantu (2019–2020)=

On 12 December 2019, Ragland returned to Italy, to play in the Serie A, after he signed again with Cantù.{{cite web |title=CINELANDIA REGALA JOE RAGLAND AI TIFOSI BIANCOBLÙ |url=http://www.pallacanestrocantu.com/news.html?id=8237 |publisher=pallacanestrocantu.com |date=9 December 2019 |language=it }}

=Hapoel Eilat (2020–2021)=

On July 31, 2020, Ragland signed with the Israeli Premier League club Hapoel Eilat.{{cite web |title=החתמה מרשימה: ג'ו רגלנד מגיע לאילת |url=http://basket.co.il/news.asp?id=25699 |publisher=basket.co.il |date=31 July 2020 |language=he }} In the 2020–21 season, he was second in the Israel Premier League in assists, with an average of 7.5 per game.{{cite web | url=http://old.scouting4u.com/35,3,0,0/israel-basketball-leaders | title=Israel basketball stats, results, box score, scout report and video online | Scouting4U }} עדלאידע: הפועל חולון אלופה אחרי 74:90 על בני הרצליה | ישראל היום https://www.israelhayom.co.il/sport/israeli-basketball/article/11545696?amp=1

=Hapoel Holon (2021–2023)=

On July 21, 2021, Ragland signed with Hapoel Holon, of the Israeli Premier League. Ragland was pivotal in helping Holon win the Israel League championship in the 2021–22 season, which was the club's first league championship in 13 years.{{Cite web|url=https://www.eurohoops.net/en/fiba-champions-league/1231310/hapoel-holon-adds-joe-ragland/|title=Hapoel Holon lands Joe Ragland|last=|first=|date=July 21, 2021|website=|publisher=Eurohoops|language=En|access-date=August 19, 2021}}

=Peristeri Athens (2023–2024)=

On June 23, 2023, Ragland signed with the Greek Basket League club Peristeri Athens.

=Hapoel Tel Aviv (2024–present)=

On June 19, 2024, he signed with Hapoel Tel Aviv of the Israeli Basketball Premier League.{{Cite web|url=https://www.hapoeluta.org/news?NewsId=30336|title=ברוך הבא, ג'ו רגלנד|last=|first=|date=June 19, 2024|website=hapoeluta.org|publisher=|language=he|access-date=June 25, 2024}}

Personal life

Ragland obtained Liberian citizenship in November 2012. Under the Cotonou Agreement, that allows him to be counted as an EU player in most European leagues, such as the Italian League and the Spanish League.{{Cite web |url=http://www.tubasket.com/noticia/ucam-murcia/13000-kilometros-dia-medio-ser-cotonou-acb-convalida-pasaporte-liberiano-ragland-murcia/2851318/6298 |title=kilometers in a day and a half to become Cotonou. ACB validate Ragland's Liberian passport |website=tubasket.com |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303231123/http://www.tubasket.com/noticia/ucam-murcia/13000-kilometros-dia-medio-ser-cotonou-acb-convalida-pasaporte-liberiano-ragland-murcia/2851318/6298 |archive-date=2016-03-03}}

Career statistics

=EuroLeague=

| style="text-align:left;"| 2014–15

| style="text-align:left;"| Milano

| 24 || 9 || 18.6 || .386 || .346 || .828 || 1.6 || 2.9 || .6 || .0 || 7.2 || 6.0

| style="text-align:left;"| 2015–16

| style="text-align:left;"| Karşıyaka

| 7 || 5 || 25.0 || .449 || .357 || .846 || 3.0 || 3.1 || .7 || .1 || 11.9 || 11.7

|- class="sortbottom"

| style="text-align:left;"| Career

| style="text-align:left;"|

| 31 || 14 || 20.0 || .405 || .349 || .833 || 1.9 || 3.0 || .6 || .1 || 8.3 || 7.3

= Domestic leagues =

class="wikitable sortable" style="font-size:95%; text-align:center;" ! Season ! Team ! League ! {{Tooltip\|GP\|Games played}} ! {{Tooltip\|MPG\|Minutes per game}} ! {{Tooltip\|FG%\|Field goal percentage}} ! {{Tooltip\|3P%\|3 point field goal percentage}} ! {{Tooltip\|FT%\|Free throw percentage}} ! {{Tooltip\|RPG\|Rebounds per game}} ! {{Tooltip\|APG\|Assists per game}} ! {{Tooltip\|SPG\|Steals per game}} ! {{Tooltip\|BPG\|Blocks per game}} ! {{Tooltip\|PPG\|Points per game}}
2012–13	Murcia	ACB	25	23.0	.520	.417	.814	2.1	2.4	1.1	.1	11.2
2013–14	Cantù	rowspan="2"\| LBA	33	31.0	.558	.462	.821	3.5	3.4	.9	.2	16.2
2014–15	Milano	40	23.0	.597	.441	.829	3.0	3.2	.9	.1	11.1
2015–16	Karşıyaka	BSL	6	30.0	.422	.321	.740	3.8	7.7	1.3	.0	13.8
2015–16	Avellino	LBA	30	28.5	.473	.400	.855	3.4	3.8	1.4	.0	13.3

References

External links

{{Basketball-Reference.com international player|joe-ragland-1}}
{{FIBA|new_id=200739|name=Joe Ragland}}
[https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/joe-ragland/005181/ Joe Ragland] at euroleague.net
[https://www.championsleague.basketball/23-24/player/Joe-Ragland Joe Ragland] at championsleague.basketball
[https://www.acb.com/jugador/temporada-a-temporada/id/20210247 Joe Ragland] at acb.com {{in lang|es}}
[https://www.legabasket.it/protagonisti/giocatori/4593/joe-ragland Joe Ragland] at Legabasket.it {{in lang|it}}
[https://www.tblstat.net/player/2671 Joe Ragland] at tblstat.net
[http://basketball.eurobasket.com/player/Joe_Ragland/198613 Joe Ragland] at eurobasket.com
[http://www.goshockers.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=111 Joe Ragland] at Wichita State