Shanks Signs to Play Professionally in Europe

Former Loyola center Carson Shanks became the fourth former Rambler to sign a professional contract Aug. 15.

Shanks took to Instagram to announce he’d signed a contract with Gzira Athleta Basketball Club in Malta, an island country in Southern Europe.

 

Ever since I was little, I always wanted to be a professional basketball player. Today I achieved that goal. Could not be more excited to begin my career in the beautiful island country of Malta with Gzira Athleta Basketball Club! #QuddiemAthleta

A post shared by Carson Shanks (@carson_shanks) on Aug 15, 2018 at 5:48pm PDT

In a phone interview with The Phoenix, Shanks gave credit to his agent, Ben Khabie, for the opportunity to continue his basketball career. He also said playing in Malta wasn’t an option until the last month because the island nation’s so small, Shanks didn’t know anything about it.

After doing his research, Shanks learned Malta’s population is over 475,000 and its native language is English. Most of all, he said the pictures of the country were beautiful.

“To be honest, I didn’t know what or where Malta was as of three weeks ago,” Shanks said. “But, over the course of time, I’ve learned more and kind of fell in love with the country a little bit more.”

Shanks transferred to Loyola from University of North Dakota last season as a graduate student. He became the first 7-foot player to wear a Loyola uniform in a game when the Ramblers beat Division III school Eureka College 96-69 Nov. 12.

In a season marred by injuries — first by a shoulder injury, then by a concussion — Shanks only averaged 0.8 points per game in 13 contests last year. He took on more of a supporting role, helping then-first-year center Cameron Krutwig develop into the Missouri Valley Conference Freshman of the Year.

Now, he said he’s fully healthy and ready to start the next chapter of his career.

“Thankfully, the injury bug hasn’t hit me so far this summer,” Shanks said. “I feel like I’m in the best shape of my life and ready to prove myself again.”

Shanks, Donte Ingram, Ben Richardson and Aundre Jackson have all signed professional contracts. Aug. 2, The Phoenix reported Ingram will be signing an Exhibit 10 deal with the Dallas Mavericks. Richardson signed to play overseas in Poland July 20 and Jackson signed to play in Iceland July 26.

This is the first time four members of the same team signed professional contracts since at least 2000, according to Loyola Athletics.

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