NCAA Basketball: Notable mid-major Stars heading to Europe in 2019

ST LOUIS, MO - MARCH 23: A view of Basketballs lined up during warm ups prior to game between the Stanford Cardinal and the Kansas Jayhawks in the third round of the 2014 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Scottrade Center on March 23, 2014 in St Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /

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DAYTON, OH – MARCH 13: Ed Polite Jr. #24 of the Radford Highlanders is defended by Raiquan Clark #23 of the Long Island Blackbirds during the First Four game in the 2018 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at UD Arena on March 13, 2018 in Dayton, Ohio. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

Ed Polite Jr.; Guard (Radford)

Club: Pallacanestro Biella (Italy)

Throughout the four years he spent with Radford, Ed Polite Jr. had a huge impact, starting in 110 games and averaging just under 12 points per game while shooting just above 50% from the field. He was named 2018-19 All Big South.

During Ed Polite’s time at Radford, the team saw significant improvement. Having not been in the NCAA Tournament since 2009, Radford closed in on a return each of the Polite’s four years. In 2018, they took down Liberty in a thrilling Big South title game that punched their ticket to the 2018 NCAA Tournament. Polite contributed 11 points in the Highlanders’ 55-52 victory over the Flames.

In 2018-19, Polite was one of Radford’s leading scorers again, allowing Radford to be right at the top of the Big South once more. Despite a second seed in the Big South tournament, Polite Jr. and Radford were sent home in the conference championship at the hands of Gardner-Webb. They would not return to the NCAA Tournament. Polite had 15 points in the loss, adding yet another good performance to his great career.

His impact for Radford was remarkable in that the time was once again able to return to the NCAA Tournament. His ability to both lead and play the game has now been rewarded with a professional contract in Europe. Ed Polite Jr. has signed a contract to play for the club Pallacanestro Biella in Italy, per the Radford Men’s Basketball site.

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