Glasgow Rocks graphic
A former Caldwell County standout will realize his dream of playing professional basketball.
Eli Pepper has signed with the Radisson RED Glasgow Rocks of the British Basketball League.
According to the team’s website, the Rocks are Scotland’s only professional basketball team.
The organization announced the signing on Wednesday.
“The Radisson RED Glasgow Rocks are thrilled to announce the signing of American Forward Eli Pepper for the 2019/20 BBL Season.”
Pepper was a four-year starter at Lipscomb University in Nashville. He finished his career with over 1,000 rebounds and over 900 points.
Pepper and the Bisons reached the championship game of the NIT this past season before falling in thetitle tilt.
As a senior, Pepper averaged 7.2 points and 7.3 rebounds a game.
The Rocks’ press release notes that “the All-Time leader in rebounds for Lipscomb men’s basketball, Pepper brings some size and athleticism to Coach (Vincent) Lavandier’s new look side ahead of the 2019/20 BBL Season, joining GB U20 International Earl Russell as an early new addition to a roster boasting four returnees from the 18/19 Season.”
Said Pepper: “Every kid that picks up a basketball dreams of playing at the professional level, and there is no better place to begin my career than with the Glasgow Rocks. I look forward to the many wins that will soon come!”
Coach Lavandier was delighted with his latest addition, saying, “The construction of our paint continues with the arrival of Eli. He comes from the University of Lipscomb where he had an important role in the team around the star Garrison Mathews. He is a big body, with a good sense for rebounding the ball and with outside shooting qualities. He adds his determination and IQ basketball to our front court. I am pleased that he bought in to my game philosophy and the Glasgow Rocks project to launch his professional career.
“Thank you Eli and welcome to Glasgow!”
Pepper is second on Caldwell’s all-time rebounding list with 1,172 boards and ranks eighth on the Tigers’ career scoring list with 1,307 points.
http://www.glasgowrocks.co.uk/
