American Ryan Kriener is coming to the Helios Suns paint
Helios Suns are close to finally compose the team for the 2020/21 season, after 22-year old American center Ryan Kriener is joining the squad.
Dejan Jakara (Photo: Novi Pazar/Senad Zupljanin)
This will be the first playing experience for Ryan Kriener (1998, 208 cm), that can also cover the power forward position, after having spent the last four years for the University of Iowa in the NCAA. A year before last they have been the members of the NCAA Final Tournament, where we would most likely have a chance of watching them again last season, but the competitions were cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Kriener used to be one of the most important pieces of Iowa team’s puzzle, having averaged 18.3 minutes, 7.7 points and 4.1 rebounds per game.
It is a young, extremely talented player, that is a great rebounder, but also has a great shot from the distance for his height. Due to his character it is likely that the fans of Domžale will learn to love him quickly. Let’s add that he has been playing together with Luka Garza, one of the best centers in the NCAA League and nephew of the former Slovenian international Teoman Alibegović.
As he moved to the Helios Suns, Kriener stated: “For a child from a little town in Iowa, signing the first professional agreement is a dream come true. I am thrilled to be coming to Slovenia to join the Helios Suns and to meet new teammates. By working hard, we will definitely have a successful season.”
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Pod koš Heliosa prihaja Američan Ryan Kriener
Helios Sunsi so blizu končni sestavi ekipe za sezono 2020/21, potem ko se moštvu priključuje še 22-letni ameriški center Ryan Kriener.
Za Ryana Krienerja (1998, 208 cm), ki se uspešno znajde tudi na položaju krilnega centra, bo to prva izkušnja igranja v Evropi, potem ko je zadnja štiri leta igral za University of Iowa v NCAA. Predlani so z ekipo nastopali tudi na zaključnem NCAA turnirju, kjer bi jih po vsej spremljali tudi v zadnji sezoni, a so bila tekmovanja zaradi koronavirusa prekinjena. Kriener je bil lani eden pomembnejših členov ekipe Iowe; v povprečju je na parketu preživel po 18,3 minute, dosegal pa po 7,7 točke in 4,1 skoka na tekmo.
Gre za mladega, izredno talentiranega košarkarja, ki ga odlikuje dober občutek za skok, hkrati pa ima za svojo višino tudi dober met z razdalje. S svojim borbenim karakterjem se bo zagotovo hitro prikupil tudi domžalski publiki. Dodajmo, da je pri Iowi igral v paru z Luko Garzo, enim najboljših centrov v ligi NCAA ter nečakom nekdanjega slovenskega košarkarskega reprezentanta Teomana Alibegovića.
Ob prestopu k Helios Suns je Kriener povedal: "Za otroka iz malega kraja v Iowi je podpis profesionalne pogodbe prava uresničitev sanj. Navdušen sem, da prihajam v Slovenijo in k Helios Sunsom ter čimprej spoznam nove soigralce. S trdim delom nas zagotovo čaka uspešna sezona."
