Nyang Luol "Tako" Wek III (born 9 March 1996) is a South Sudanese basketball player who last played for Bangui SC of the Basketball Africa League (BAL).[1] Wek has been a member of the South Sudan national team, and played at FIBA AfroBasket 2021 with his country.

Nyang Wek
No. 24 – Bangui Sporting Club
PositionSmall forward
LeagueBasketball Africa League
Personal information
Born (1996-03-06) 6 March 1996 (age 28)
South Sudan
NationalitySouth Sudanese
Listed height1.98 m (6 ft 6 in)
Career information
High schoolFrench Camp Academy
(French Camp, Mississippi)
CollegeLane College
NBA draft2018: undrafted
Playing career2018–present
Career history
2018Dallas Ballers
2022Cobra Sport
2023JBC
2024–presentBangui Sporting Club

Early life and high school career

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Wek was born in South Sudan but moved to the United States at age 9.[2] He attended French Camp Academy in Mississippi, where he began playing basketball as a freshman. As a junior, Wek averaged 19 points per game and had consecutive 40-point games. He was expelled during his senior season. Wek moved to Memphis, Tennessee and earned a football scholarship to Lane College. He dropped out of Lane after a season, due to feeling that football was not right for him. Wek moved to Dallas, Texas and found work delivering plumbing supplies.[3]

Professional career

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Wek played with the Dallas Ballers in the first season of the Junior Basketball Association (JBA). His girlfriend spotted the ad for the tryout and sent it to him.[2] He was suspended for three games due to a conflict with another player.[3]

On March 2, 2022, Wek signed with South Sudanese club Cobra Sport of the Basketball Africa League (BAL).[4]

In November 2023, Wek played for Zimbabwean club JBC in the Road to BAL. In two games, he averaged 11 points and 10.5 rebounds for JBC, who failed to advance to the final round.[5]

In April 2024, Wek joined Bangui Sporting Club for the 2024 BAL season.[6]

National team career

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Wek was on the South Sudan national basketball team for AfroBasket 2021.[7] As a starter, he contributed 5 points and 2.5 rebounds per game, helping South Sudan reach the quarterfinals.[8]

BAL career statistics

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Legend
  GP Games played   GS  Games started  MPG  Minutes per game
 FG%  Field goal percentage  3P%  3-point field goal percentage  FT%  Free throw percentage
 RPG  Rebounds per game  APG  Assists per game  SPG  Steals per game
 BPG  Blocks per game  PPG  Points per game  Bold  Career high
Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2022 Cobra Sport 5 3 25.8 .419 .320 .286 5.8 1.4 1.6 .4 9.6
Career 5 3 25.8 .419 .320 .286 5.8 1.4 1.6 .4 9.6

References

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  1. ^ "Nyang WEK". South Sudan Basketball Federation. Retrieved 29 August 2021.
  2. ^ a b Washington, Jesse (6 July 2018). "LaVar Ball's pro league is a last chance for hoop dreams". Andscape. Retrieved 29 August 2021.
  3. ^ a b Han, Nathan (July 25, 2018). "One more shot: New league gets players who had lost their way back in the game". The Dallas Morning News. Retrieved September 4, 2021.
  4. ^ "Cobra Sport reinforce roster with Wek, Wang". The BAL Report. 2 March 2022. Retrieved 2 March 2022.
  5. ^ "Nyang WEK at the Africa Champions Clubs ROAD TO B.A.L. 2024 2023". FIBA.basketball. Retrieved 2023-11-26.
  6. ^ "Al Ahly Ly vs. Bangui SC". BAL GeniusSports.
  7. ^ "South Sudan at the FIBA AfroBasket 2021". FIBA.basketball. Retrieved 29 August 2021.
  8. ^ "Nyang Wek Player Profile, Events Stats, Game Logs, Awards - RealGM". basketball.realgm.com. Retrieved 3 September 2021.
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