Two former Idaho men’s basketball players will con- tinue their career at the professional level overseas.
Arkadiy Mkrtychyan, at Idaho from 2014 to 2018, and Nashon George, at Idaho from 2014 to 2016, signed with their new squads this week.
Mkrtychan plays for Parnu Sadam in the Estonian Basketball Association. Parnu Sadam finished fifth last season, advancing all the way to the semifinals of the postseason.
During his Idaho career, Mkrtychan averaged nearly eight points and four rebounds a game. The power
forward appeared in the fifth most games by a Vandal, making him a staple player throughout his time at Idaho.
Earlier this season former Idaho Standouts Victor Sanders and Brayon Blake inked international profes- sional contracts, making Mkrtychan the third player from last year’s senior class to continue a career abroad.
Both Sanders and Blake spent the summer months in the NBA Summer League, getting the chance to showcase their skills and battle for a permanent spot on the roster. Blake played for the Cleveland Caveliers and Sanders for the Denver Nuggets.
George recently signed with Sporting Alexandra in Egypt.
This is not George’s first experience overseas, having had the opportunity to play in Indonesia and Thailand years prior.
Throughout his time in Indonesia, George averaged 23 points and nearly 13 rebounds a game, earning him a place in the All-Star Game and All-Indonesian IBL First Team honors.
George had great success in Thailand as well averaging nearly 20 points a game throughout the season.
In George’s time with the Vandals, the program had the best team record in more than 20 years.
Chris Deremer can be reached at [email protected]