Source: Ardy Ramezani, Victoria Communications
VICTORIA, B.C. – Former University of Victoria basketball athletes Chris McLaughlin, who graduated in 2015, and Terrell Evans, who graduated in 2014, are moving on to the next stage of their basketball careers as both recently signed their first professional contracts in the Austria A Bundesliga league. McLaughlin has signed with the Basket Swans Gmunden while Evans will play for the Oberwart Gunners.
Six-foot-ten centre McLaughlin just finished his fifth and final season with the Vikes, helping the team capture the program's first Canada West Championship title since 2006 and leading the team to finish fourth in the CIS Final 8 national championship for the second consecutive year.
The Oakville, Ontario-native finished second in the conference in scoring with 19.8 points and 10.0 rebounds per game. Nationally, he was ranked the ninth in points per game, seventh in field game percentage and fifth in rebounds.
For his achievements, McLaughlin received a CIS First Team All-Canadian nod and was named Canada West Outstanding Player of the Year as well as Basketball British Columbia University Male Athlete of the Year.
"I am very excited to take the next step in my basketball career and pursue a professional career in Austria," said McLaughlin. " I wouldn't have been able to make it this far without the support from friends, family, coaches and previous team mates who have pushed me over the last five years."
McLaughlin was also just recently representing Canada at FISU World University Games in Gwangju, Korea as a member of the Canadian Development National Team. He averaged 9.9 points and 4.6 rebounds per game while shooting 60.0 percent from the two-point field goal range and 79.2 percent from the free throw line over eight games.
Although McLaughlin will be far from home, he will see a familiar face in Austria as his former teammate Evans also joins him in the professional journey.
Evans, who finished his CIS eligibility with the Vikes in the 2013-14 season was a key Vikes leader and offensive contributor alongside McLaughlin that year. The duo led the team to the Canada West Championship Finals and helped the Vikes finish fourth in the CIS Final 8. Both were named UVic Male Athlete of the Year, Evans in 2014 and McLaughlin in 2015.
Offensively, the Las Vegas, Nev. native led the team in his final CIS season, averaging 17.9 points per game to be named CIS First Team All-Canadian.
"It's a dream come true," said Evans. "Coming to Canada was the best experience. Victoria really grounded me and I met so many great people, coaches, teammates and Vikes alumni that helped me to get to where I am today."
Evans just returned from trials in Europe where he captured the MVP title in the All In Sports Summer League. The former Vike posted 14.2 points and 4.2 rebounds per game while shooting 70 percent from the field to immediately secure himself a professional contract with the Oberwart Gunners.
"One of our goals is to prepare players to play professionally or to play on our national team," said Vikes men's basketball head coach Craig Beaucamp. "We are extremely proud that Terrell and Chris will be continuing their careers as professionals in Austria."
The Austrian Basketball League (Austria A Bundesliga) is the top men's professional basketball league in Austria and consists of 11 teems that play each other twice in the regular season.
This past season, Basket Swans Gmunden finished in fourth place with a 22-15 record to make it to the A Bundesliga Playoff semi-finals while the Oberwart Gunners finished the season in seventh-place with an 18-18 record. For more information on the Austrian league, click here.