Yanni Wetzell
{{short description|New Zealand-born basketball player}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2021}}
{{Infobox basketball biography
| name = Yanni Wetzell
| image = 2022-11-10 ALBA Berlin gegen FC Bayern München (EuroLeague 2022-23) by Sandro Halank–111.jpg
| caption = Wetzell playing for ALBA Berlin (2022)
| position = Center / Power forward
| height_ft = 6
| height_in = 10
| weight_lbs = 240
| league = B.League
| team = Akita Northern Happinets
| number =
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1996|7|8|df=yes}}
| birth_place = Auckland, New Zealand
| high_school = Westlake Boys
(Auckland, New Zealand)
| college =
- St. Mary's (2015–2017)
- Vanderbilt (2018–2019)
- San Diego State (2019–2020)
| draft_year = 2020
| career_start = 2020
| years1 = 2020–2021
| team1 = South East Melbourne Phoenix
| years2 = 2021–2022
| team2 = New Zealand Breakers
| years3 = 2022
| team3 = Baskonia
| years4 = 2022–2025
| team4 = Alba Berlin
| years5 = 2025–present
| team5 = Akita Northern Happinets
| highlights =
- Second-team All-Mountain West (2020)
- Second-team All-Heartland (2017)
| medal_templates =
}}
Yannick Clemens Thomas Wetzell (born 8 July 1996){{cite web|url=https://nbl.com.au/player/113805/1570490/yannick-wetzell|title=Yannick Wetzell|work=NBL.com.au|access-date=17 January 2021}} is a New Zealand professional basketball player for Akita Northern Happinets of the Japanese B.League. He played college basketball for the St. Mary's Rattlers, the Vanderbilt Commodores, and the San Diego State Aztecs.
Early life
Wetzell grew up in Auckland, New Zealand. At the age of eight, he played soccer alongside later San Diego State goaltender Cameron Hogg. Wetzell decided to focus on tennis at the age of 13 and achieved a junior national ranking.{{cite news |last1=Zeigler |first1=Mark |title=SDSU basketball lands 6–10 grad transfer from New Zealand, via Vanderbilt |url=https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/sports/aztecs/story/2019-05-04/sd-sp-sdsu-aztecs-basketball-yanni-wetzell-grad-transfer-vanderbilt-new-zealand |access-date=4 August 2020 |work=San Diego Union Tribune |date=4 May 2019}} He attended Westlake Boys High School in Auckland.{{cite news |title=Basketball: Yanni Wetzell continues rapid rise |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=11854772 |access-date=4 August 2020 |work=New Zealand Herald |date=12 May 2017}} As a senior in high school, he began playing basketball due to a growth spurt.{{cite web |last1=Sisk |first1=David |title=Yanni Wetzell commits to Vanderbilt |url=https://vanderbilt.rivals.com/news/yanni-wetzell-commits-to-vanderbilt |website=Rivals.com |access-date=4 August 2020 |date=10 May 2017}} Wetzell helped lead his team to the 2014 final of the Secondary Schools National Championships, losing to Otago Boys High School. Wetzell did not receive any collegiate offers, so he used an international recruiting agency to connect him to Division II St. Mary's.
College career
As a freshman at St. Mary's, Wetzell averaged 11.7 and 5.6 rebounds per game. He was named Heartland Conference Freshman of the Year. Wetzell averaged 15.5 points and 6.8 rebounds per game as a sophomore. He was named to the Second Team All-Heartland Conference.{{cite web |title=San Diego State Hoops Adds Yanni Wetzell |url=https://goaztecs.com/news/2019/5/8/mens-basketball-san-diego-state-hoops-adds-yanni-wetzell.aspx |website=San Diego State Aztecs |access-date=4 August 2020 |date=8 May 2019}} Following the season, he transferred to Vanderbilt, choosing the Commodores over Purdue, Baylor, and Texas, and sat out a season per NCAA regulations.{{cite news |last1=Sparks |first1=Adam |title=Vanderbilt lands 6-foot-10 transfer Yanni Wetzell |url=https://www.tennessean.com/story/sports/college/vanderbilt/2017/05/10/vanderbilt-lands-6-foot-10-transfer-yanni-wetzell/316483001/ |access-date=4 August 2020 |work=The Tennessean |date=10 May 2017}}
As a junior at Vanderbilt, Wetzell made 10 starts and averaged 5.9 points and 3.8 rebounds per game, shooting 49.6 percent from the floor. He was a SEC Academic Honor Roll honoree and earned a degree in economics. The Commodores finished 0–18 in SEC play and coach Bryce Drew was fired.
Wetzell contacted Saint Mary's assistant coach Bubba Meyer to request advice about a graduate transfer. San Diego State coach Brian Dutcher was informed, and after taking an official visit Wetzell chose the Aztecs over an offer from Texas Tech. He helped replace Jalen McDaniels, who left early to play professionally. Wetzell averaged 11.6 points, 6.5 rebounds and 1.3 assists per game as a senior, and his 59.2% field goal percentage is ninth-highest in Aztec single-season history.{{cite news |title=Wetzell, Mitchell Join Flynn, Dutcher as Aztecs Collect More Post-Season Kudos |url=https://timesofsandiego.com/sports/2020/03/26/wetzell-mitchell-join-flynn-dutcher-as-aztecs-collect-more-post-season-awards/ |access-date=4 August 2020 |work=Times of San Diego |date=26 March 2020}} He was named to the Second Team All-Mountain West.{{cite press release|url=https://themw.com/news/2020/3/3/mountain-west-announces-2019-20-mens-basketball-all-conference-team.aspx |title=Mountain West Announces 2019–20 Men's Basketball All-Conference Team |publisher=Mountain West Conference |date=3 March 2020 |access-date=3 March 2020}}
Professional career
=South East Melbourne Phoenix (2020–2021)=
On 28 July 2020, Wetzell signed his first professional contract with South East Melbourne Phoenix of the National Basketball League.{{cite news |title=Phoenix Sign College Star Yanni Wetzell |url=https://sportando.basketball/en/phoenix-sign-college-star-yanni-wetzell/ |website=Sportando |access-date=4 August 2020 |date=28 July 2020 |last1=Maggi |first1=Alessandro }} On 16 August 2020, Wetzell exercised the European out clause in his contract and was released by the Phoenix.{{cite web |title= Yanni Wetzell Exercises European Out |url= https://nbl.com.au/news/yanni-wetzell-exercises-european-out |website=NBL.com.au |access-date=16 August 2020 |date=16 August 2020}} He signed with Riesen Ludwigsburg of the German Basketball Bundesliga on 19 August, but rejoined the Phoenix on 14 October after experiencing passport complications with his move to Europe.{{cite news |title=Yanni Wetzell joins MHP Riesen Ludwigsburg |url=https://sportando.basketball/en/yanni-wetzell-joins-mhp-riesen-ludwigsburg/ |website=Sportando |access-date=19 August 2020 |date=19 August 2020 |last1=Carchia |first1=Emiliano }}{{cite web |title=Yanni Wetzell re-signs with South East Melbourne Phoenix |url=https://www.espn.com.au/nbl/story/_/id/30109309/nbl-yanni-wetzell-re-signs-south-east-melbourne-phoenix |website=ESPN |access-date=14 October 2020 |date=14 October 2020}} Wetzell averaged 11.2 points and 6.0 rebounds per game.{{cite news |last1=Uluc |first1=Olgun |title=NBL Free Agency: who's on the move |url=https://www.espn.com/nbl/story/_/id/31715766/nbl-free-agency-move |access-date=29 June 2021 |work=ESPN |date=26 June 2021}}{{Cite web |title=Yanni Wetzell International Stats |url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/international/players/yanni-wetzell-1.html |access-date=2022-04-16 |website=Basketball-Reference.com}}
=New Zealand Breakers (2021–2022)=
On 2 July 2021, Wetzell signed a three-year deal with the New Zealand Breakers.{{cite news |title=Rising Kiwi Star Turns Back on Australia to Join Sky Sport Breakers on 3-Year Deal |url=https://www.nzbreakers.basketball/news/rising-kiwi-star-turns-back-on-australia-to-join-sky-sport-breakers-on-3-year-deal |access-date=2 July 2021 |work=nzbreakers.basketball |date=2 July 2021}}{{cite news |title=Yanni Wetzell Signs with NZ Breakers |url=https://nbl.com.au/news/yanni-wetzell-signs-with-nz-breakers |access-date=2 July 2021 |work=NBL.com.au |date=2 July 2021}} He was released from the remainder of his contract on 15 April 2022 under mutual consent.{{cite news |title=Breakers and Wetzell Agree Release to EuroLeague Outfit |url=https://nbl.com.au/news/breakers-and-wetzell-agree-release-to-euroleague-outfit |access-date=15 April 2022 |work=NBL.com.au |date=15 April 2022}} In 22 games, he averaged 17.7 points and 8.2 rebounds per game.{{Cite web |title=Yanni Wetzell Full Stats |url=https://nbl.com.au/stats/all-time?player=Yanni%20Wetzell |access-date=2022-04-16 |website=NBL.com.au}}
= Saski Baskonia (2022) =
On 15 April 2022, Wetzell signed with Saski Baskonia of the Liga ACB until the end of the 2022–23 season.{{Cite web |date=2022-04-15 |title=Yannick Wetzell refuerza la pintura azulgrana |url=https://www.baskonia.com/yannick-weltzell-refuerza-la-pintura-azulgrana/ |access-date=2022-04-16 |website=Saski Baskonia |language=es}}
=Alba Berlin (2022–2025)=
On 26 July 2022, Wetzell signed with Alba Berlin of the Basketball Bundesliga.{{Cite news|url=https://sportando.basketball/en/yanni-wetzell-signs-with-alba-berlin/|title=Yanni Wetzell signs with Alba Berlin|last=|first=|date=July 26, 2022|website=|newspaper=Sportando|language=En|access-date=August 10, 2022 |last1=Maggi |first1=Alessandro }}
=Akita Northern Happinets (2025–present)=
On 19 July 2025, Wetzell signed with the Akita Northern Happinets of the Japanese B.League.{{cite news |title=【新入団】ヤニー・ウェッツェル選手契約合意のお知らせ |url=https://northern-happinets.com/news/detail/id=19284 |access-date=19 June 2025 |work=northern-happinets.com |date=19 June 2025 |language=Japanese}}
National team career
In 2017, Wetzell was named to the New Zealand Select Team that played in a tournament in China.{{cite web |title=NEW ZEALAND SELECT TEAM NAMED TO TRAVEL TO CHINA |url=https://nz.basketball/new-zealand-select-team-named-to-travel-to-china/ |website=Basketball New Zealand |access-date=4 August 2020 |date=16 May 2017}} He has also competed for the New Zealand U19 Team, also known as the Tall Blacks.{{cite web |title=FROM ACES TO AZTECS – YANNI WETZELL'S BASKETBALL JOURNEY |url=https://nz.basketball/from-aces-to-aztecs-yanni-wetzells-basketball-journey/ |website=Basketball New Zealand |access-date=4 August 2020 |date=21 February 2020}}
Career statistics
{{Euroleague player statistics legend}}
=EuroLeague=
{{Euroleague player statistics start}}
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| 2022–23
| style="text-align:left;" rowspan="2"| Alba Berlin
| 31 || 1 || 12.6 || .519 || {{sort|-|—}} || .707 || 2.8 || .5 || .3 || .4 || 6.5 || 6.2
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| 2023–24
| 27 || 17 || 20.0 || .518 || .200 || .667 || 3.5 || .9 || .6 || .3 || 7.9 || 7.0
|- class="sortbottom"
| style="text-align:center;" colspan="2"| Career
| 58 || 18 || 16.1 || .519 || .200 || .686 || 3.2 || .7 || .5 || .3 || 7.2 || 6.5
{{S-end}}
=Domestic leagues=
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="font-size:100%; text-align:right;"
! Year
! 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}}
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| 2020–21 || style="text-align:left;"|{{flagicon|Australia|size=20px}} S.E. Melbourne || style="text-align:center;"|NBL || 39 || 26.4 || .556 || 1.000 || .623 || 6.0 || 1.6 || .7 || .7 || 11.2
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| 2021–22 || style="text-align:left;"|{{flagicon|New Zealand|size=20px}} N. Z. Breakers || style="text-align:center;"|NBL || 22 || 32.6 || .594 || .000 || .720 || 8.4 || 1.3 || 1.6 || 1.0 || 17.7
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| 2021–22 || style="text-align:left;"|{{flagicon|Spain|size=20px}} Baskonia || style="text-align:center;"|ACB || 11 || 12.6 || .500 || {{sort|-|—}} || .667 || 2.9 || .4 || {{sort|-|—}} || .1 || 3.6
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| 2022–23 || style="text-align:left;"|{{flagicon|Germany|size=20px}} Alba Berlin || style="text-align:center;"|BBL || 31 || 17.9 || .599 || .000 || .775 || 3.4 || 1.3 || .7 || .6 || 9.2
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| 2023–24 || style="text-align:left;"|{{flagicon|Germany|size=20px}} Alba Berlin || style="text-align:center;"|BBL || 38 || 19.3 || .622 || .200 || .677 || 3.7 || 1.4 || .5 || .3 || 8.9
{{S-end}}
=College=
==NCAA Division I==
{{NBA player statistics start}}
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| 2017–18
| style="text-align:left;"| Vanderbilt
| style="text-align:center;" colspan="11"| File:Redshirt.svg Redshirt
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| 2018–19
| style="text-align:left;"| Vanderbilt
| 32 || 10 || 18.5 || .496 || .265 || .763 || 3.8 || .3 || .7 || .6 || 5.9
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| 2019–20
| style="text-align:left;"| San Diego State
| 32 || 32 || 27.8 || .592 || .318 || .642 || 6.5 || 1.3 || .8 || .6 || 11.6
|- class="sortbottom"
| style="text-align:center;" colspan="2"| Career
| 64 || 42 || 23.2 || .559 || .286 || .688 || 5.2 || .8 || .7 || .6 || 8.8
{{S-end}}
==NCAA Division II==
{{NBA player statistics start}}
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| 2015–16
| style="text-align:left;"| St. Mary's
| 29 || 29 || 25.1 || .530 || .500 || .632 || 5.6 || .9 || .3 || .3 || 11.7
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| 2016–17
| style="text-align:left;"| St. Mary's
| 30 || 30 || 31.3 || .501 || .409 || .667 || 6.8 || 1.5 || .8 || .6 || 15.5
|- class="sortbottom"
| style="text-align:center;" colspan="2"| Career
| 59 || 59 || 28.3 || .514 || .420 || .654 || 6.2 || 1.2 || .6 || .4 || 13.6
{{S-end}}
Personal life
Wetzell is of Samoan and German descent.{{cite web |last1=Dewhurst |first1=Andrew |title=Basketball: Wetzell serves notice that hoops is his game |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/basketball/basketball-wetzell-serves-notice-that-hoops-is-his-game/M6PXPTLR237IE2GHDK5HI7434Q/ |website=NZ Herald |access-date=26 November 2024 |date=24 July 2016}} He is the son of Jenny and Clem Wetzell, who travelled to see him play 12 games at San Diego State.{{cite news |last1=Zeigler |first1=Mark |title=From Auckland to Laramie: Yanni Wetzell's parents traverse the Mountain West |url=https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/sports/aztecs/story/2020-02-07/sdsu-aztecs-basketball-yanni-wetzell-parents-travel-mountain-west-laramie-logan-new-zeland |access-date=4 August 2020 |work=San Diego Union-Tribune |date=7 February 2020}} He is the younger brother of television journalist and presenter Pippa Wetzell.{{cite web|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/basketball/92537210/auckland-basketballer-yanni-wetzell-signs-with-division-one-side-in-us|title=Auckland basketballer Yanni Wetzell signs with division one side in US|last=|first=|date=12 May 2017|work=www.stuff.co.nz|accessdate=15 March 2022}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
{{Commons}}
- [https://nbl.com.au/player/113805/1570490/yannick-wetzell NBL profile]
- {{Basketball-Reference.com international player|yanni-wetzell-1}}
- [https://goaztecs.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/yanni-wetzell/5773 San Diego State Aztecs bio]
- [https://vucommodores.com/roster/yanni-wetzell/ Vanderbilt Commodores bio]
- [https://rattlerathletics.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/yanni-wetzell/1704 St. Mary's Rattlers bio]
{{Akita Northern Happinets current roster}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Wetzell, Yanni}}
Category:Basketball players from Auckland
Category:New Zealand Breakers players
Category:New Zealand expatriate basketball people in the United States
Category:New Zealand men's basketball players
Category:New Zealand sportspeople of Samoan descent
Category:San Diego State Aztecs men's basketball players
Category:South East Melbourne Phoenix players
Category:St. Mary's Rattlers men's basketball players
Category:Vanderbilt Commodores men's basketball players
Category:2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup players
Category:21st-century New Zealand sportsmen