Sanders headed to Kosovo to continue basketball career

Sanders headed to Kosovo to continue basketball career

VIDEO: Ish Sanders Interview

JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – Carson-Newman men's basketball alum Ish Sanders has signed a pro basketball contract with Vellaznimi Gjakove of Kosovo's Liga e Pare.

Sanders becomes the fifth Carson-Newman men's basketball player to move into a basketball career post-graduation in the last two years. 

"It's a relief, it's been a long summer waiting," Sanders said. "That's where the trust between me and Coach Benson and me and my agent has come into play.  It's been a blessing to be able to stay healthy this long to be able to continue my career."   

Sanders ends his career with 1,922 points – fifth on C-N's all-time scoring list and fourth on the South Atlantic Conference's.  He winds up as the all-time leader in made threes for both the SAC and C-N with 343. In his senior campaign, he led the league with 2.0 steals per game. 

Sanders crested the 30-point mark on three occasions and was selected a SAC Player of the Week. 

He had 15 20-point games this year and has scored double figures in all but two games.  Sanders was more than just a scorer, dishing out at least five assists on seven occasions.  He produced a career high six steals against Mars Hill. 

"There were times I kept thinking, 'when am I going to be able to get something.'" Sanders said. "But Coach Benson always kept supporting and pushing me in my times of frustration and need. The same goes for all the players who were here working out over the summer."

He produced a season high seven assists against Lee-McRae.  He ranked second in the league with 3.2 made threes per game and he led the league among players who have played more than 20 games in FT percentage at 90.9 percent. 

Vellaznimi went 20-0 last year and brought home a Liga e Pare championship last season. 

Sanders joins teammate Antoine Davis as Eagles from the 2014 class to continue their playing careers professionaly. 

-CN-