BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – The Bowling Green Hornets officially announced today that yet another member of their young organization has signed their first international basketball contract: A’Darius Pegues, the 6-10 center who began his collegiate career at Western Kentucky University, before completing it at Campbellsville University this year, has officially signed with BK Iskra Svit in Slovakia, and will begin his rookie season with the club next month.
BK Iskra Svit, considered one of the top teams in the Slovak Extraliga this past season, compiled a 20-12 regular season record this past year, third-best in the nine-team league, and finished the 2013-2014 season with an overall 27-17 record. The club is based out of Svit, Slovakia, which sits approximately 200 miles northeast of the capital, Bratislava, and thirty miles south of the border with Poland.
With the inclusion of Pegues’ big-frame and athletic ability in the frontcourt, BK Iskra Svit hopes that the Fayetteville, N.C. native can help bring their club and city a coveted championship during the 2014-2015 season.
As a high school senior in Louisville, Ky., Pegues was heavily recruited by NCAA Division-I institutions, including Georgetown University and Purdue University, before selecting Western Kentucky and Bowling Green, Ky. as his new home in 2006. However, medical injuries forced Pegues to miss his first two seasons under former head coach Ken McDonald.
After transferring to various smaller schools to gain valuable playing experience, Pegues’ final stop landed him in Campbellsville, Ky. where he completed his only season for the Tigers during this past 2013-2014 campaign. As one of only three seniors on the young Campbellsville team, Pegues’ became a leader on the court for the Tigers, averaging 8.4 points per game, 5.0 rebounds per game, and 1.3 blocks per game in 29 games with the school.
With the Bowling Green Hornets, Pegues was a defensive force as his highlight performance came in his season debut in April against the Fort Wayne Flite, as he compiled a league-high four blocks en route to a 108-99 victory at Lindsey Wilson College in Columbia, Ky.
Pegues, who had garnered interest from clubs in Italy and Canada, will not be the only local product to have played in Slovakia, as another familiar face has had current success in this eastern European league. Kevin Bridgewaters, the Columbia, Ky. native and former Adair County High School star, has played the last three seasons in the Slovak Extraliga, including this past season with rival club MBK Handlova.
The Bowling Green Hornets, who compete in the Central Basketball Association, have now provided the platform for five players in the last ten months to land their first international basketball contracts, including four former Hilltoppers: Jamal Crook in Canada, Kahlil McDonald in Australia, Teeng Akol in Luxembourg, and Pegues in Slovakia.
Although the Hornets recently finished their 2014 season with a 5-5 record, barely missing the post-season under first-year head coach Nathan Thompson, the team has been fertile ground for premier local talent. In their first two seasons, the Hornets have boasted a roster of 17 former NCAA Division-I players, including former Hilltoppers Brandon Harris and O’Karo Akamune this past season, 11 former NAIA Division-I players, and 15 players with prior international playing experience.
For more information regarding the Bowling Green Hornets or the Central Basketball Association, visit the league website at www.playcba.com or contact the team via email at hornets@playcba.com.
