Mike Carlson

Mike Carlson

Former Truman men’s basketball standout Mike Carlson has signed with the Spanish club CB Clavijo, continuing his international basketball career in LogroƱo, Spain, after a brief stint in Brisbane, Australia.

Carlson joins a Spanish club that currently features four former NCAA Div. II players on its roster, including GLVC-member Drury (Mo.) University’s Alex Hall, and former MIAA-foe Fort Hays (Kan.) State’s Ben Conguista.

Carlson, who earned co-Great Lakes Valley Conference Player of the Year honors following the 2013-14 season, began his professional career with the South West Metro Pirates of the Australian League before agreeing with CB Clavijo. After averaging 21.3 points, 7.2 rebounds, and nearly two assists per game as a senior at Truman, Carlson exploded in Australia’s major league to a tune of 26.1 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 4.4 assists in nearly 34 minutes per night with South West Metro.

In his final game with the club, he scored 42 points and grabbed 16 rebounds in a Pirates victory.

“Playing professionally has been a goal of mine for a long time, and it is only possible because of the culture that the coaching staff and my teammates created while at Truman,” Carlson said. “They created an environment where it was expected that you perform at a high level every single day. That mentality has been crucial to my successes in Australia this summer and will be paramount as I begin my professional career in Spain.”

“Nobody deserves this opportunity more than Mike,” Truman head coach Matt Woodley said. “He’s the best player I’ve coached, as his toughness, skill level, and drive will make him a great pro player for many years. I am so proud of him. He has meant the world to me as a coach and was the main cog in turning this program around.”

CB Clavijo competes in the Spanish LEB Gold league, the second of three leagues in Spain. The club tied for seventh in the 2013-14 standings, finishing with a record of 13-13.

Story courtesy, Truman State Athletics.