“It’s really exciting,” Sanford said. “Working out the whole summer, I’m looking forward to playing some ball.”
Earlier this summer, Devin Oliver signed to play with Limburg United in Belgium, and Matt Kavanaugh signed to play with Noma-Iserlohn in Germany.
Sanford, a Lexington, Ky., native, played his first two seasons at Georgetown and his last two at Dayton. He averaged 12.3 points, 2.7 rebounds and 2.3 assists as a senior and hit the game-winning shot against Ohio State in the second round of the NCAA tournament.
Asked about that famous shot, Sanford said he still hears about it often.
“Oh man, Lexington’s a pretty big basketball town,” he said. “There’s been a lot of love since I’ve been down here from the people I went to school with or people who go to UK or went to UK. A lot of people down here don’t like Ohio State.”
Sanford said he worked out in Philadelphia this summer with former Georgetown teammate Hollis Thompson, who now plays for the 76ers. He has also spent time training in his hometown of Lexington with some former University of Kentucky players and other players who currently play overseas.
Sanford always wanted to play professional basketball somewhere. He was searching for the right fit and the right team so he can play well enough to get a chance to play in the United States someday. The Domino’s League is the top league in Iceland.
Mike Cook, who played college basketball at Pittsburgh, played for Thor Thorl last season. Sanford’s new team plays its first game of the new season Oct. 10.
“I’m at the point now where it doesn’t matter what league I’m in, I feel I’m going to dominate,” Sanford said. “I have that mentality. My confidence is out the roof right now. Knowing how hard I worked, I feel my work will speak for how I play.”
Sanford felt a little anxious watching his teammates sign contracts, but said, “I just figured playing overseas is a waiting game. There are so many different leagues.”
About the Author
