Jo Lual-Acuil
 Lual-Acuil with Baylor, 2017 | |
| No. 0 – Hapoel Jerusalem | |
|---|---|
| Position | Center |
| League |
Israeli Premier League FIBA Champions League |
| Personal information | |
| Born |
April 26, 1994 Wau, Sudan (now South Sudan) |
| Nationality | Australian / South Sudanese |
| Listed height | 7 ft 0 in (2.13 m) |
| Listed weight | 225 lb (102 kg) |
| Career information | |
| High school |
Kingsway Christian College (Darch, Western Australia) |
| College |
|
| NBA draft | 2018 / Undrafted |
| Playing career | 2018–present |
| Career history | |
| 2018–present | Hapoel Jeursalem |
| Career highlights and awards | |
Joseph "Jo" Lual-Acuil, Jr. (born April 26, 1994) is a South Sudanese Australian professional basketball player for Hapoel Jerusalem of the Israeli Premier League. He played college basketball for Neosho County Community College and Baylor University.
Early life
Lual-Acuil was born in Wau, South Sudan. Lual-Acuil lived his first 6 years in South Sudan before moving to Melbourne, Australia. Lual-Acuil attended Kingsway Christian College in Darch, Western Australia.[1] He was a soccer player growing up, but picked up the game of basketball after his soccer coach suggested he play for the team one year.[2]
College career
Neosho County CC (2013–2015)
Lual-Acuil played two seasons for Neosho County Community College. In his sophomore year at Neosho County, he averaged 20.1 points, 11.2 rebounds and 4.7 blocks while playing all 30 games. He was named 2015 Jayhawk Conference Defensive Player of the Year and earned a spot in the All-Conference First Team and All-Region First Team.[1]
Baylor (2016–2018)
Lual-Acuil joined Baylor University in the summer of 2015, but sat out his first season for a heart condition.[3] In his year off, Lual-Acuil focused on improving his fitness and strength.
In his junior year, Lual-Acuil was named Big 12 Newcomer of the Week for games played from December 12 through December 18.[4] In 35 games played during the 2016–17 season, Lual-Acuil averaged 9.1 points, 6.7 rebounds and 2.5 blocks per game and helped the Bears to a 3 seed in the NCAA Tournament.[2] On March 5, 2017, Lual-Acuil earned a spot in the 2017 Big 12 All-Defensive Team and All-Newcomer Team.[5]
On December 17, 2017, Lual-Acuil recorded a double-double and college career-highs of 31 points and 20 rebounds, shooting 10-of-15 from the field, along with three blocks and two assists in a 118–86 blowout win over Savannah State.[6] Lual-Acuil finished his senior year averaging 14 points, 8.6 rebounds and 1.9 blocks per game. On March 8, 2018, Lual-Acuil earned a spot in the 2018 All-Big 12 Third Team.[7] He graduated with a degree in Health Studies and Kinesiology.[2]
Professional career
On August 13, 2018, Lual-Acuil started his professional career with the Israeli team Hapoel Jeursalem, signing a three year deal.[8]
Personal life
Lual-Acuil's father, Joseph, was South Sudan's first Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management.[1]
References
- 1 2 3 "Jo Lual-Acuil Jr. – Baylor University". BaylorBears.com. Retrieved August 13, 2018.
- 1 2 3 Tyler, Chris (February 25, 2018). "Australian big man Lual-Acuil helped resurrect the Baylor Bears". ESPN. Retrieved August 13, 2018.
- ↑ "Baylor center Acuil sidelined 8 weeks with potential heart issues". wacotrib.com. October 16, 2015. Retrieved August 13, 2018.
- ↑ "Mitrou-Long, Lual-Acuil Gather Early Holiday Honors". big12sports.com. December 19, 2016. Retrieved August 13, 2018.
- ↑ "Three Teams Lead Men's Basketball Awards". big12sports.com. March 5, 2017. Retrieved August 13, 2018.
- ↑ "Lual-Acuil 30/20 Game Leads MBB Past Savannah State". BaylorBears.com. December 17, 2017. Retrieved August 13, 2018.
- ↑ "Three Baylor basketball players given Big 12 honors". dallasnews.com. March 8, 2018. Retrieved August 13, 2018.
- ↑ "Hapoel Jerusalem signs rookie Joseph Lual-Acuil Jr to a multi-year deal". Sportando.basketball. August 13, 2018. Retrieved August 13, 2018.