Fort Lewis College Athletics

Junior Garbrah vs. Lubbock Christian NCAA South-Central Regional - Mar. 16, 2024

Hayden Mangan, Fort Lewis Athletic Communications

Junior Garbrah (3) becomes the third Skyhawk in as many years to sign a professional contract after graduation.

Garbrah set for professional debut with Geraldton Buccaneers

5/31/2024 2:00:00 PM

By: Hayden Mangan, Assistant AD-Communications & Fan Engagement

DURANGO, Colo. – After five years donning the Blue and Gold, the last two as Captain, two Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Tournament Championships, and one regular season title, Saturday night has been a long time coming. But it will be a dream come true for former Fort Lewis men's basketball guard Junior Garbrah.

On Saturday at 7:00 p.m. Australian Western Standard Time inside Active West Stadium, Garbrah will officially suit up for his first professional game with the Geraldton Buccaneers of the National Basketball League 1 West. The game will be streamed live for free on the NBL1 app.

"Things manifested super quick once I got home from the States," Garbrah shared. "After about 41 hours of traveling, I got to work with Coach Mic at Mic Training. I was still settling in with my family when (Geraldton Buccaneers) reached out to me. They told me they loved my game and invited me out for a trial run so they could see how I fit in with the team and organization. Once I got into Perth, Australia, we got right to work, and lucky enough, here I am. I love my new teammates and am excited to battle alongside them and keep the rich tradition of winning. This was a divine occurrence, but I couldn't be more thankful and blessed to be where I am now."

At the time of his signing, the Buccaneers are currently 10-1 atop the NBL1 West standings.

Garbrah joins a rich alumnus of Skyhawks to play professionally including JaQualyon "Q" Mays (2022-23, Cafeteros Basketball Club), JacQuess Hobbs (2021-22, Angra Basket), DeAndre Lansdowne (2007-11, Niners Chemnitz), Alex Herrera (2011-15, Jena), Marquel Beasley (2017-19, Red Devils), Nikolas Tomsick (2012-14, Gronigen), and Rasmus Bach (2013-18, Brisbane). Additionally, Garbrah is Fort Lewis men's basketball's third student-athlete to sign a professional contract is as many years.

A 2023-24 Second-Team All-RMAC honoree and member of the 2023 RMAC All-Tournament Team, Garbrah has represented the Skyhawks as much as any former player appearing in 132 games and putting in over 2,424 minutes on the floor.

In his final year up on the rim, Garbrah averaged 9.9 points, 2.2 rebounds, and 1.3 assists while shooting clips of 47.7 percent from the floor, 42.9 percent from beyond the arc, and 78.4 percent at the charity stripe. He also added four 20-point performances including a career-high 25 points against New Mexico Highlands (Dec. 8, 2023), and most notably went to his right-hand for the game-winning and buzzer-beating layup at home against Eastern New Mexico (Nov. 18, 2023).

Garbrah and the Buccaneers will close the regular season with 11 more fixtures leading up to the Coles Express NBL1 National Finals from Aug. 18-20.

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