Wesley Saunders

{{Infobox basketball biography

| name = Wesley Saunders

| image =

| image_size =

| caption =

| position = Shooting guard / small forward

| height_ft = 6

| height_in = 6

| weight_lb = 218

| league = LPB

| team = Oliveirense

| number = 23

| nationality = American

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1993|6|16}}

| birth_place = Los Angeles, California

| high_school = Windward (Mar Vista, California)

| college = Harvard (2011–2015)

| draft_year = 2015

| career_start = 2015

| years1 = 2015–2016

| team1 = Westchester Knicks

| years2 = 2016

| team2 = Austin Spurs

| years3 = 2016–2017

| team3 = Windy City Bulls

| years4 = 2017–2018

| team4 = Joensuun Kataja

| years5 = 2018–2020

| team5 = Vanoli Cremona

| years6 = 2020

| team6 = Monaco

| years7 = 2020–2021

| team7 = Fortitudo Bologna

| years8 = 2021–2022

| team8 = Dolomiti Energia Trento

| years9 = 2022–2023

| team9 = Santa Cruz Warriors

| years10 = 2023

| team10 = Ontario Clippers

| years11 = 2023, 2024

| team11 = Memphis Hustle

| years12 = 2024

| team12 = Ostioneros de Guaymas

| years13 = 2024–present

| team13 = Oliveirense

| highlights =

Ivy League Player of the Year (2014)
3× First-team All-Ivy League (2013–2015)
Third-team Parade All-American (2011)

}}

Wesley Saunders (born June 16, 1993) is an American professional basketball player for Oliveirense of the Liga Portuguesa de Basquetebol (LPB). He played college basketball for the Harvard Crimson.

Early life

Wesley Saunders was born on June 16, 1993, in Los Angeles, California. Saunders lettered in basketball and volleyball at Windward High serving as basketball captain during his senior year. On that season he averaged 20.2 points and 10 rebounds per game and helped his team to win Division IV's state basketball, after winning the State Championship for Division V as a sophomore.{{cite web|url=http://www.gocrimson.com/sports/mbkb/2013-14/bios/saunders_wesley_1537|title=Wesley Saunders – Harvard|work=GoCrimson.com|access-date=September 10, 2015}}

College career

In his four-year career at Harvard, Saunders averaged 12.6 points, 4.1 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 1.5 steals over 29.8 minutes in 120 games, and averaged career-highs of 16.6 points, 6.1 rebounds and 4.3 assists as a senior,{{cite web|url=http://www.nba.com/knicks/knicks-sign-darion-atkins-and-wesley-saunders|title=Knicks Sign Darion Atkins and Wesley Saunders|work=NBA.com|date=September 10, 2015|access-date=September 10, 2015}} earning the Ivy League Player of the Year in 2014{{cite web|url=https://ivyleague.prestosports.com/sports/mbkb/2013-14/releases/Mens_Basketball_All-Ivy_–_2013–14 |title=Men's Basketball All-Ivy 2013–14 |publisher=Ivy League |date=March 12, 2014 |access-date=March 19, 2014}} alongside his third All-Ivy League first-team selection.

Professional career

=Westchester Knicks (2015–2016)=

After going undrafted in the 2015 NBA draft, Saunders joined the Utah Jazz for the 2015 NBA Summer League.{{cite web|url=http://www.nba.com/summerleague/2015/players/sl_wesley_saunders/|title=2015 Summer League Player Profile – Wesley Saunders|work=NBA.com|access-date=September 10, 2015}} On September 10, 2015, he signed with the New York Knicks. However, he was later waived by the Knicks on October 23 after appearing in two preseason games.{{cite web|url=http://www.nba.com/knicks/knicks-waive-five-players|title=Knicks Waive Five Players|work=NBA.com|date=October 23, 2015|access-date=October 23, 2015}} On November 2, he was acquired by the Westchester Knicks of the NBA Development League as an affiliate player of New York.{{cite web|url=http://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/?id=5066025|title=Westchester Knicks Finalize 2015-16 Training Camp Roster|work=OurSportsCentral.com|date=November 2, 2015|access-date=November 3, 2015}} On November 12, he made his professional debut in a 105–103 win over the Maine Red Claws, recording two points, three rebounds, one assist and one steal in 13 minutes off the bench.{{cite web|url=http://dleague.nba.com/games/20151112/MNEWES/|title=Summers' Late Winner Lifts Westchester Knicks Over Maine Red Claws|work=NBA.com|date=November 12, 2015|access-date=February 28, 2016}}

=Austin Spurs (2016)=

On February 23, 2016, Saunders was traded to the Austin Spurs in exchange for Keith Wright.{{cite web|url=http://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/austin-spurs-trade-with-westchester-knicks/n-5103833|title=Austin Spurs Trade with Westchester Knicks|work=OurSportsCentral.com|date=February 23, 2016|access-date=February 23, 2016}} On March 24, he made his debut for Austin in a 106–93 win over the Texas Legends, recording one rebound in two minutes off the bench.{{cite web|url=http://dleague.nba.com/games/20160324/TEXAUS/|title=Summers' Late Winner Lifts Westchester Knicks Over Maine Red Claws|work=NBA.com|date=March 24, 2016|access-date=March 24, 2016}}

=Windy City Bulls (2016–2017)=

On August 24, 2016, Saunders' D-League rights were acquired by the Windy City Bulls in the expansion draft{{cite web|url=http://dleague.nba.com/news/2016-nba-development-league-expansion-draft-results/|title=2016 NBA Development League Expansion Draft Results|work=NBA.com|date=August 24, 2016|access-date=October 1, 2016}} and on October 30, he was officially signed by Windy City.{{cite web|url=http://windycity.dleague.nba.com/news/windy-city-bulls-select-four-players-2016-d-league-draft-complete-training-camp-roster/|title=Windy City Bulls Select Four Players in 2016 D-League Draft to Complete Training Camp Roster|work=NBA.com|date=October 30, 2016|access-date=December 5, 2016}}

=Vanoli Cremona (2018–2020)=

On July 26, 2018, Saunders signed a deal with the Italian club Vanoli Cremona.{{cite web|url=https://sportando.basketball/en/italy/serie-a/283529/wesley-saunders-signs-with-vanoli-cremona.html|title=Wesley Saunders signs with Vanoli Cremona|work=Sportando.basketball|date=July 26, 2018|access-date=July 27, 2018}}

=Monaco (2020)=

On July 30, 2020, Saunders signed with As Monaco of the LNB Pro A{{Cite news|url=https://sportando.basketball/en/as-monaco-basket-officially-signs-wesley-saunders/|title=AS Monaco Basket officially signs Wesley Saunders|date=July 30, 2020|newspaper=Sportando|language=En|access-date=July 30, 2020|last1=Maggi |first1=Alessandro }} but resigned shortly after the beginning of the season.

=Fortitudo Bologna (2020–2021)=

Coach Romeo Sacchetti, who coached him the two years in Vanoli Cremona before he moved to coach Fortitudo Bologna, inked Saunders in Bologna on November 4, 2020.{{cite web |title=Wesley Saunders è un nuovo giocatore della Fortitudo Lavoropiù! |url=https://www.fortitudo103.it/wesley-saunders-e-un-nuovo-giocatore-della-fortitudo-lavoropiu/ |publisher=fortitudo103.it |date=4 November 2020 |language=it }} He parted ways with the team on June 30, 2021.{{cite news |title=Fortitudo Bologna opts out of Wesley Saunders' contract |url=https://sportando.basketball/en/fortitudo-bologna-opts-out-of-wesley-saunders-contract/ |website=Sportando |access-date=June 30, 2021 |date=June 30, 2021|last1=Carchia |first1=Emiliano }}

=Dolomiti Energia Trento (2021–2022)=

On August 13, 2021, Saunders signed with Dolomiti Energia Trento of the Italian Lega Basket Serie A (LBA).{{Cite news|url=https://sportando.basketball/en/dolomiti-energia-trento-inks-wesley-saunders/|title=Dolomiti Energia Trento inks Wesley Saunders|last=|first=|date=August 13, 2021|website=|newspaper=Sportando|language=En|access-date=August 13, 2021|last1=Skerletic |first1=Dario }}

=Santa Cruz Warriors (2022–2023)=

On December 20, 2022, Saunders was acquired by the Santa Cruz Warriors.{{cite web|url=https://gleague.nba.com/transactions/|website=gleague.nba.com|title=2022-23 NBA G League Transactions|date=December 20, 2022|access-date=December 20, 2022}} On January 18, 2023, Saunders was waived.{{cite web|url=https://gleague.nba.com/22-23-nba-g-league-transactions|website=gleague.nba.com|title=2022-23 NBA G League Transactions|date=January 18, 2023|access-date=January 18, 2023}}

=Ontario Clippers (2023)=

On January 20, 2023, Saunders was acquired by the Ontario Clippers.{{cite web|url=https://gleague.nba.com/22-23-nba-g-league-transactions|website=gleague.nba.com|title=2022-23 NBA G League Transactions|date=January 20, 2023|access-date=January 20, 2023}} On March 1, 2023, Saunders was waived.{{cite web|url=https://gleague.nba.com/22-23-nba-g-league-transactions|website=gleague.nba.com|title=2022-23 NBA G League Transactions|date=March 1, 2023|access-date=March 1, 2023}}

=Memphis Hustle (2023, 2024)=

On March 21, 2023, Saunders joined the Memphis Hustle,{{cite web|title=2022-2023 Memphis Hustle Transaction History|url=https://basketball.realgm.com/gleague/teams/Memphis-Hustle/52/Transaction_History/2023|website=RealGM.com|access-date=March 9, 2024}} but was waived the next day. A yead later, on March 7, he rejoined the Hustle,{{cite web|title=2023-2024 Memphis Hustle Transaction History|url=https://basketball.realgm.com/gleague/teams/Memphis-Hustle/52/Transaction_History/2024|website=RealGM.com|access-date=March 9, 2024}} but on March 8, he was, again, waived. However, he rejoined the Hustle thag night.

=Ostioneros de Guaymas (2024)=

On April 10, 2024, Saunders signed with the Ostioneros de Guaymas of the Circuito de Baloncesto de la Costa del Pacífico.{{cite web|title=2023-2024 Ostioneros de Guaymas Transactions|url=https://basketball.realgm.com/international/league/77/Mexican-CIBACOPA/team/986/Ostioneros-de-Guaymas/transactions/2024|website=RealGM.com|access-date=April 11, 2024}}

=Oliveirense (2024–present)=

On September 30, 2024, Saunders signed with Oliveirense of the Liga Portuguesa de Basquetebol.{{cite Instagram|user=oliveirensebasquetebol|title=𝗕𝗘𝗠-𝗩𝗜𝗡𝗗𝗢. 🔴🔵 Wesley Saunders é reforço para a época 24/25. 🏀 Estamos prontos para começar uma nova temporada juntos! 𝗔 𝗨𝗡𝗜𝗔̃𝗢 𝗙𝗔𝗭 𝗔 𝗙𝗢𝗥𝗖̧𝗔. 🫂 #UDObasket2425 #SomosUnião|postid=DAjIuRxo-ra|date=September 30, 2024|access-date=January 29, 2025|language=Portuguese}}

Personal life

Saunders' father, Ed, played defensive back at Iowa and graduated in 1977, while his uncle, John, played professional football with the Los Angeles Rams and was drafted in the fourth round of the 1972 NFL draft.

References

External links

[http://stats.nbadleague.com/player/#!/1626201/ Wesley Saunders] at nbadleague.com
[http://www.gocrimson.com/sports/mbkb/2013-14/bios/saunders_wesley_1537 Wesley Saunders] at gocrimson.com

Category:1993 births

Category:Living people

Category:21st-century American sportsmen

Category:Agua Caliente Clippers players

Category:American expatriate basketball people in Finland

Category:American expatriate basketball people in Italy

Category:American expatriate basketball people in Mexico

Category:American expatriate basketball people in Monaco

Category:American expatriate basketball people in Portugal

Category:American men's basketball players

Category:Aquila Basket Trento players

Category:AS Monaco Basket players