Aug. 18, 2009
NORMAL, Ill. -
Former Illinois State guard Emmanuel Holloway signed a professional contract and will continue his basketball career with the UBC Hannover Tigers of the Budesliga Pro A League in Germany.
Holloway played two seasons at Illinois State, both under head coach Tim Jankovich. As a member of the 2009 Missouri Valley Conference's Most Improved Team, Holloway averaged 10.3 points and 4.0 rebounds per game his senior season. He scored in double figures 22 times last season, while ranking second on the team in assists with 94.
"I'm nervous and excited at the same time," Holloway said. "This is my first time leaving the country, but I'm looking forward to it. I feel prepared because Coach Jank has instilled both fight and heart in me, as a player, by teaching me how to love practice. The thing about professional basketball is that you have to be able to motivate yourself. They aren't going to motivate you. The team will just cut you and replace you if it gets to that point."
UBC Hannover's head coach Mahmut Ataman talked about Holloway in a press release on the team's Web site.
"He can pass the ball and he has a great eye," Ataman said. "He can shoot from the sidelines and the middle and he really improved his game last season. Hannover should be excited about him."
Holloway will likely see some familiar faces during the German Pro A League circuit, but none more recognizable than Levi Dyer, a former Redbird teammate. Dyer will suit up for his first season with Science City Jena this fall. The two teams will face each other to open the season September 26.
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