Rakim Sanders
{{Short description|American basketball player (born 1989)}}
{{Infobox basketball biography
| name = Rakim Sanders
| image = Rakim Sanders 21 FC Barcelona Bàsquet 20180126.jpg
| caption = Sanders with FC Barcelona in 2018
| height_ft = 6
| height_in = 5
| weight_lb = 234
| league =
| team =
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1989|7|8}}
| birth_place = Pawtucket, Rhode Island
| nationality = American
| high_school = St. Andrew's
(Barrington, Rhode Island)
| college =
- Boston College (2007–2010)
- Fairfield (2011–2012)
| draft_year = 2012
| career_start = 2012
| career_end = 2020
| career_position = Small forward / shooting guard
| career_number = 21, 15, 7, 20
| years1 = 2012–2013
| team1 = Maccabi Tel Aviv
| years2 = 2012–2013
| team2 = →Hapoel Gilboa Galil
| years3 = 2013–2014
| team3 = Brose Baskets
| years4 = 2014–2015
| team4 = Dinamo Sassari
| years5 = 2015–2017
| team5 = Olimpia Milano
| years6 = 2017–2018
| team6 = FC Barcelona
| years7 = 2019
| team7 = Erie BayHawks
| years8 = 2020
| team8 = Changwon LG Sakers
| highlights =
- 2× Italian League champion (2015, 2016)
- 2× Italian League Finals MVP (2015, 2016)
- 2× Italian Cup winner (2015, 2016)
- Italian Cup MVP (2016)
- 2× Italian Supercup winner (2014, 2016)
- Balkan League champion (2013)
- First-team All-MAAC (2012)
}}
Rakim Sanders (born July 8, 1989) is an American former professional basketball player. He played college basketball with the Boston College Eagles for three seasons, and with the Fairfield Stags, for one season. At a height of {{convert|1.96|m|ftin|abbr=on}} tall,{{Cite web |url=http://www.acb.com/jugador.php?id=53Z |title=Rakim Sanders altura: A {{!}} 1.96 m . |access-date=2017-08-03 |language=es |archive-date=2017-07-31 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170731030813/http://www.acb.com/jugador.php?id=53Z |url-status=dead }} he played at both the shooting guard and small forward positions, with small forward being his main position.
High school career
Born in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, Sanders attended St. Andrew's High School. He was the 2006–07 Gatorade Player of the Year for Rhode Island. In his junior year, he averaged 18.4 points and 5.9 rebounds per game while earning a spot of the all-state first team. He followed this up with another all-state first team spot his senior year, averaging 21.3 points per game and 8.3 rebounds per game while shooting 53 percent from the field. Sanders finished his high school career with 2,432 points.{{cite web|title=Rakim Sanders|url=http://www.bceagles.com/sports/m-baskbl/mtt/sanders_rakim00.html}}
College career
=Freshman season=
Sanders played right away for the Eagles, playing 28 minutes per game. He averaged 11.3 point, 4.6 rebounds, and 1 steal per game. Sanders struggled at the free throw line, hitting just 46% of his shots. However, he did have his most successful year from beyond the arc, hitting 38% of his threes.{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/player/_/id/36112/rakim-sanders |title=Rakim Sanders |access-date=18 July 2012}} On February 14, Sanders had his first double-double, scoring 14 points and adding 12 rebounds against North Carolina State. The Eagles went 14–17, despite winning 10 of their first twelve games.{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/team/schedule/_/id/103/year/2008/boston-college-eagles |title=Boston College Eagles Basketball 2007-08 Schedule |access-date=18 July 2012}}
=Sophomore season=
In his sophomore year, Sanders started at small forward alongside BC stars Reggie Jackson and Tyrese Rice. It was the team's most successful year during Sanders' time at BC. The team went 22–12 (9–7 in ACC play), and lost in the first round of the NCAA Tournament to USC.{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/team/schedule/_/id/103/year/2009/boston-college-eagles |title=Boston College Eagles Basketball 2008-09 Schedule |access-date=18 July 2012}} The season was highlighted by an 85–78 win over a North Carolina Tar Heels team that was ranked first in the country and would go on to win that season's National Championship. Sanders had 22 points, 2 blocks, and a game-high 7 steals.{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/recap?gameId=290040153 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170812141302/http://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/recap?gameId=290040153 |url-status=dead |archive-date=August 12, 2017 |title=Boston College Eagles vs. North Carolina Tar Heels |access-date=18 July 2012}} Sanders hit two game winning shots for Boston college; one against Virginia Tech and one against Georgia Tech. Sanders had his best year in terms of scoring at BC, averaging 12.9 points per game to go along with 4.4 rebounds per game and 1.6 steals per game. He shared the team's defensive player of the year with forward Corey Raji.
=Junior season=
The BC team was hit hard by the graduation of Tyrese Rice entering Sanders' junior year. As a result, the team struggled despite the efforts of Sanders, Jackson, and Raji, finishing 15–16.{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/team/schedule/_/id/103/year/2010/boston-college-eagles |title=Boston College Eagles Schedule - 2009-10 |access-date=18 July 2012}} Sanders averaged 11.3 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 1 steal per game. He elected to transfer at the end of the season following the departure of head coach Al Skinner.{{cite web |title=Transfer to Fairfield Likely | date=15 April 2010 |url=https://www.espn.com/boston/news/story?id=5093406 |access-date=18 July 2012}} Bleacher Report called Sanders "arguably the best player on the Eagles' roster."{{cite web |last=Seaver |first=Paul |title=Boston College Missing Rakim Sanders, While Road Tests Approach |website=Bleacher Report |url=http://bleacherreport.com/articles/297626-boston-college-missing-rakim-sanders-while-road-tests-approach |access-date=18 July 2012}}
=Senior season=
Sanders was forced to sit out for a season before playing for Fairfield. He had high expectations entering the year. College Basketball expert Andy Katz said that Sanders had a high chance of making the Wooden Award watchlist.{{cite web |last=Katz |first=Andy |title=A List of Players Who Might End Up on Wooden List |url=http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/blog/_/name/katz_andy/id/7054024 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120710033749/http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/blog/_/name/katz_andy/id/7054024 |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 10, 2012 |access-date=18 July 2012}} In one season with the Stags, Sanders averaged 16.6 points per game, 8.2 rebounds per game, and 1.4 steals per game. At Fairfield, Sanders gained a reputation as a high I.Q. player. Fairfield coach Sydney Johnson said "[Sanders] plays the game almost like a coach would in terms of how he's trying to put all the pieces together. He's consciously aware of the bigger picture on offense and defense."{{cite web |last=McGAIR |first=BRENDAN |title=Rakim Sanders just wants to be happy |date=14 November 2011 |url=http://www.woonsocketcall.com/node/3850 |publisher=The Call |access-date=18 July 2012}} Sanders eventually led the Stags to the CIT semifinals.{{cite web |title=Stags Fall Just Short in CIT Semis |date=25 March 2012 |url=http://www.ctpost.com/sports/article/Stags-fall-just-short-in-CIT-semifinal-3432662.php |access-date=18 July 2012}} he led the team in points and rebounding, while earning first team All Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference and was also named to the All-Jesuit team, honoring the best players from 28 Jesuit universities. His point total of 615 was the second highest in school history, and he also became the first player in school history to score 600 points and grab 300 rebounds in one season. Following the season, Sanders was invited to the Portsmouth Invitational Tournament, where he was named to the all-tournament team, averaging 19.3 points and 8.7 rebounds per game.{{cite web |title=Sanders Dominant at Portsmouth Invitational |url=http://articles.courant.com/2012-04-19/sports/hc-rakim-sanders-of-fairfield-dominant-at-portsmouth-invitational-20120419_1_jesuit-top-seniors-boston-college |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121111140733/http://articles.courant.com/2012-04-19/sports/hc-rakim-sanders-of-fairfield-dominant-at-portsmouth-invitational-20120419_1_jesuit-top-seniors-boston-college |url-status=dead |archive-date=November 11, 2012 |access-date=18 July 2012}}
Professional career
=NBA draft=
In the 2012 NBA draft, Sanders went undrafted. However, he was signed to play for the Golden State Warriors' Summer League Team.{{cite web|title=Warriors Finalizing Summer League Roster| date=4 July 2012 |url=http://www.csnbayarea.com/basketball-golden-state-warriors/warriors-talk/Warriors-finalizing-summer-league-roster?blockID=735316&feedID=5986}}
=Israel=
After failing to catch on with an NBA team, Sanders signed a deal with Maccabi Tel Aviv, who loaned him out to Hapoel Gilboa Galil. In 29 Israeli Premier League games, he averaged 12.6 points, 4.0 rebounds, 1.7 assists, and 1.3 steals per game, while shooting 59.5% on two point field goals and 38.2% on threes. Also, in 15 games in Balkan International Basketball League play, he averaged 13.3 points, 6.3 rebounds, 1.6 assists, and 1.3 steals per game.[http://basketball.eurobasket.com/team/Israel/Hapoel_Galil_Gilboa/85?Page=3&Stats=2013 HAPOEL GALIL GILBOA basketball team.]
=Brose Baskets=
On August 13, 2013, Sanders signed a two-year contract with the German League team Brose Baskets.{{cite web|title=Rakim Sanders signs a two-year deal with Bamberg|url=http://www.sportando.net/eng/europe/germany/61451/rakim-sanders-signs-a-two-year-deal-with-bamberg.html|work=Sportando|access-date=13 August 2013}}{{cite web|title=BROSE BASKETS makes Rakim Sanders official|url=http://www.euroleague.net/euroleaguenews/transactions/2013-14-signings/i/115357/8177|work=Euroleague.net|access-date=13 August 2013}}
=Olimpia Milano=
On November 16, 2015, he signed a contract with Olimpia Milano, and was cleared to play by January, as he was recovering from a wrist injury.{{cite news|title=All'Olimpia arriva Rakim Sanders|url=http://www.olimpiamilano.com/allolimpia-arriva-rakim-sanders/|access-date=17 November 2015|date=16 November 2015|language=it}} He averaged 12.5 points, 3.5 rebounds, 1.2 assists and 1.1 steals per game.{{cite web |last1=Orfanakis |first1=George |title=Barcelona and Rakim Sanders have a one-year deal |url=https://www.eurohoops.net/en/euroleague/478311/barcelona-rakim-sanders-one-year-deal/ |website=Eurohoops |access-date=July 21, 2020 |date=July 10, 2017}}
=FC Barcelona=
On July 10, 2017, Sanders signed with FC Barcelona.
=Erie BayHawks=
For the 2019–20 season, Sanders joined the Erie BayHawks of the G League as a local tryout player.{{cite news |last1=Reilly |first1=Josh |title='Hawks set to take flight |url=https://www.goerie.com/sports/20191107/hawks-set-to-take-flight |access-date=December 2, 2019 |work=Erie Times-News |date=November 7, 2019}} He averaged 5.2 points and 3.5 rebounds per game.{{cite web |title=Ex A - Rakim Sanders diretto in Corea del Sud |url=https://www.pianetabasket.com/varie/ex-a-rakim-sanders-diretto-in-corea-del-sud-197726 |website=Pianeta Basket |access-date=July 21, 2020 |language=it |date=January 14, 2020}}
=Changwon LG Sakers=
Sanders signed with Changwon LG Sakers of the Korean league on January 14, 2020.
On July 21, 2020, he has signed with Hapoel Be'er Sheva of the Israeli Premier League.{{Cite news|url=https://sportando.basketball/en/hapoel-beer-sheva-bc-officially-signs-rakim-sanders/|title=Hapoel Be'er Sheva BC officially signs Rakim Sanders|date=July 21, 2020|newspaper=Sportando|language=En|access-date=July 21, 2020|last1=Maggi |first1=Alessandro }} However, Sanders opted out of his contract on August 25 due to personal issues.{{cite news |title=Rakim Sanders, Hapoel Be'er Sheva BC part ways |url=https://sportando.basketball/en/rakim-sanders-hapoel-beer-sheva-bc-part-ways/ |website=Sportando |access-date=August 25, 2020 |date=August 25, 2020|last1=Skerletic |first1=Dario }}
Career statistics
{{Euroleague player statistics legend}}
=EuroLeague=
{{Euroleague player statistics start}}
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| 2013–14
| style="text-align:left;"| Brose
| 10 || 2 || 17.5 || .500 || .450 || .667 || 3.2 || .4 || .8 || .1 || 7.9 || 6.6
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| 2014–15
| style="text-align:left;"| Sassari
| 8 || 7 || 27.6 || .406 || .326 || .625 || 3.0 || .5 || .9 || .0 || 13.4 || 6.8
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| 2016–17
| style="text-align:left;"| Milano
| 24 || 11 || 22.8 || .477 || .406 || .667 || 3.5 || 1.2 || 1.1 || .2 || 12.5 || 10.4
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| 2017–18
| style="text-align:left;"| Barcelona
| 15 || 8 || 20.2 || .421 || .333 || .786 || 3.1 || .9 || 1.5 || .3 || 8.9 || 7.5
|- class="sortbottom"
| style="text-align:center;" colspan=2| Career
| 57 || 28 || 21.9 || .454 || .377 || .674 || 3.3 || .9 || 1.1 || .2 || 10.9 || 8.5
{{s-end}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- [http://www.acb.com/jugador.php?id=53Z Rakim Sanders] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170731030813/http://www.acb.com/jugador.php?id=53Z |date=2017-07-31 }} at acb.com {{in lang|es}}
- [http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Rakim-Sanders-1412/ Rakim Sanders] at draftexpress.com
- [http://basketball.eurobasket.com/player/Rakim_Sanders/Italy/Banco_di_Sardegna_Sassari/135567 Rakim Sanders] at eurobasket.com
- [http://www.euroleague.net/competition/players/showplayer?pcode=005001 Rakim Sanders] at euroleague.net
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20151003212442/http://www.fiba.com/pages/eng/fc/gamecent/p/pid/6059164/playerview.html Rakim Sanders] at fiba.com
- [http://web.legabasket.it/player/?id=SAN-RAK-89 Rakim Sanders] at legabasket.it {{in lang|it}}
{{navboxes|list1=
{{Olimpia Milano 2015-16 Lega Basket Serie A Champions}}
{{Lega Basket Serie A Finals MVP}}
{{Italian Basketball Cup MVP}}
}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Sanders, Rakim}}
Category:American expatriate basketball people in Germany
Category:American expatriate basketball people in Israel
Category:American expatriate basketball people in Italy
Category:American expatriate basketball people in Spain
Category:American men's basketball players
Category:Bamberg Baskets players
Category:Basketball players from Rhode Island
Category:Boston College Eagles men's basketball players
Category:Dinamo Sassari players
Category:Erie BayHawks (2019–2021) players
Category:Fairfield Stags men's basketball players
Category:FC Barcelona Bàsquet players
Category:Hapoel Gilboa Galil players
Category:Lega Basket Serie A players