Thursday, August 4, 2016

Kyle Fogg succeeding on and off the court during overseas career

The former Wildcat is doing a lot more than just winning the TBT MVP

With seconds left in the TBT championship game, Kyle Fogg’s Overseas Elite had just given up a steal of an inbounds pass, giving their opponent, Team Colorado, one final shot at tying the game with a three.

The first shot rimmed out with eight seconds left, a 2 million dollar loose ball was up for grabs. Team Colorado secured the rebound. "I’d foul here," ESPN’s Fran Fraschilla anxiously called out, but no foul would be necessary.

As he did time and time again on his way to 2016 The Basketball Tournament MVP honors, Fogg rose to the occasion when his team needed him most. Team Colorado would not get a second chance. Fogg ripped away a steal, sealed the victory, and proved he wanted it just a bit more.

Poise, leadership, perimeter defense, step-back jumpers, penetration and distribution— Kyle Fogg’s game has grown and he has become a truly well-rounded pro. He’s also well paid after taking home the $174,000 TBT payday.

While seven former Arizona Wildcats participated on the biggest stage at this year’s NBA finals, it can be easy to forget Fogg has been out here grinding too. Since averaging 13 points per game in his senior season at Arizona, Fogg has improved every year overseas. From South Texas to North Germany, Fogg has started from the bottom and now he’s deservedly getting some shine at the top.

After going undrafted in 2012, Fogg was signed and waived by the Houston Rockets. He finished 2012 with the Rio Grande Valley Vipers of the NBA Development League. In 2013, Fogg signed with the Denver Nuggets and was waived two weeks later. In December 2013, he signed with Lapuan Korikobrat of Finland, going on to earn league MVP honors after averaging 27 points and six rebounds in 29 games. Since then, Fogg has been climbing the ranks through Finland, Belgium, and this year was the leading scorer in Germany’s Basketball Bundesliga.

Fogg was sensational in the 2016 TBT, averaging 21.8 points per game and shooting 42% from three. He had 42 points in the semifinal in 30 minutes, and 17 points in the final, including the final six clutch free throws.

Kyle Fogg’s work off the court is just as admirable as his play on the court. He used the $83,000 in prize money from his 2015 TBT championship to buy his mom a house in Chino Hills. This year? "Now we go to furnish the house, I want to get mom a new car, and build a school in Ghana through Pencils of Promise", Fogg said after the game.

Fogg has already raised $18,565 to build a school in Ghana through Pencils of Promise — a charity that has helped build over 200 schools throughout Ghana, Guatemala, and Laos for underprivileged children. Kyle is matching every donation and you can contribute here.

There may be more Arizona alumnus with more decorated NBA accolades, but it would be tough to find a player who has worked harder at his game and improved more since leaving Tucson than Kyle Fogg — and the best might be yet to come.



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