Hounds add Spanish forward as transfer

PORTALES — Skilled European basketball players are becoming more and more of a common sight in professional and collegiate basketball these days. They'll be a common sight at Eastern New Mexico University this winter.

That's what the Greyhounds hope the case will be with Spanish forward Antonio Morales, who will join the team as a sophomore in 2018-19.

Greyhounds coach Tres Segler announced the signing of the 6-foot-10 forward on Friday. He said the big man from Lorca, Spain is a classic Euro-style forward with plenty of skill.

"Antonio is going to have so much fun in our ball screen motion style of play," Segler said in a university release. "He has a European base of skills that is very fundamental and graceful. His hand-eye coordination is exceptional, and he is able to catch the ball in tight spaces around the rim."

Morales played at New Mexico Junior College last season, averaging 4.6 points, 5.5 rebounds and 1.5 blocks per game, while shooting 51.0 percent from the field, and 41.7 percent from 3-point range. The Thunderbirds primarily utilized him as a defensive rim protector and rebounder in his 15.5 minutes per game in 2017-18.

Morales has hopes to play professional ball overseas after his college career ends.