Kyle Gupton
| Kyle Gupton with the Wattworms in 2018. Kyle Gupton with the Wattworms in 2018. | |
| No. 12 – Edewecht Wattworms | |
|---|---|
| Position | Shooting Guard |
| League | Deutscher Basketball Bund |
| Personal information | |
| Born | January 29, 1990 (age 28) Ypsilanti, Michigan |
| Nationality | American |
| Listed height | 6 ft 2 in (188 cm) |
| Listed weight | 198 lb (90 kg) |
| Career information | |
| High school | Lincoln High School (Ypsilanti, Michigan) Belleville High School (Belleville, Michigan) |
| College | UIS (2011-13) Henry Ford CC (2009-11) |
| Playing career | 2014–present |
| Career history | |
| 2014-2015 | Team Network |
| 2015-2017 | Tamworth Thunderbolts |
| 2018-present | VfL Edewecht Wattworms |
| Career highlights and awards | |
Kyle Gupton (born January 29, 1990) is an American professional basketball player for the VfL Edewecht Wattworms in the Deutscher Basketball Bund (DBB) of Germany. In 2017, he was a member of Australia's Waratah All Star Five Team, which is an award that five players receive from a total of over 250 players. He played college basketball at the University of Illinois Springfield, where he was an all-conference selection by the GLVC, and the UIS Male Athlete of the Year.
Early career
Gupton began playing at 6 years old. Gupton attended Lincoln High School for his freshman and sophomore year, and transferred to Belleville High School for his junior and senior year. Upon many awards and being among the team's top scorers every season, he was ranked among the top 30 wings in Michigan by Prep Spotlight, and he earned a spot on All Mega Red Conference Team as a senior.
College career
From Henry Ford College to UIS
In the summer of 2008, Gupton was sidelined with a minor heart condition. He made a full recovery, and returned to the court the following season. He attended the two-year school, Henry Ford College, where he was one of four standout sophomores to sign with a four year university. He signed with the University of Illinois at Springfield for his final two collegiate years. The UIS Prairie Stars are a part of the Great Lakes Valley Conference. In his junior season, he averaged 10.7 points per game and made a total of 56 three-pointers, which was the most in school history during the school's NCAA era.[1] In his senior year, he scored 26 points and made 6 three-pointers to defeat University of Southern Indiana, who was ranked 10th in the nation.[2] His 6 three-pointers was a school record at the time, and it happened four other times in his UIS career. After a severe toe hyperextension injury, Gupton still maintained his consistent scoring ability, and led the team in scoring his senior year. He finished his senior season with an average of 11.9 points per game, and he passed his own record for three-pointers, with a made total of 64. Gupton was a UIS standout, and finished his Prairie Stars career with a total of 597 points, made 120 three-pointers, and shot 40% from the three-point line.[3] He also earned the 2013 Male Athlete of the Year Award, made the All Great Lakes Valley Conference Team, was named the UIS Men's Basketball Most Outstanding Player Award.[4] He finished his UIS career with 597 points, and his 120 three-pointers ranks first in school history among transfer players, and third overall.[5] He scored a total of over 1,000 points in his four-year college career. As the team's top three-point shooter, Gupton quickly gained the reputation as a scorer that could shoot exceptionally well, attack the basket, and could consistently make his right-handed floater shot. During the season, he also worked with many local students, as a role model during the second half of his senior year.[6]
Professional career
Team Network
Gupton was selected to play for Team Network in the American Basketball Association in 2014. The team was stationed in the metro Detroit area, which was located near his area of residence. In his rookie debut, he recorded 18 points, 4 assists, and 4 rebounds in a home win against the cross town rivals, Oakland County Cowboys. He was the only rookie on the team, and started a majority of the games that he played in. His rookie-best was on November 9, 2014, when he scored 41 points against the Steel City Yellow Jackets, while converting eight three-pointers.[7] He scored double figures in every game, received ABA All Star honors, and led his team to the first round of the ABA playoffs. His final averages were 22.0 points, 4.0 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game. As a rookie, Gupton lead the team in scoring, three-pointers made and three-point percentage.[8]
Tamworth Thunderbolts
In 2015 he reunited with his family and church, to play for the International Gospel Center. He would lead the team with 24.8 points per game, and the team would go undefeated and win the Bishop's Cup Championship. Shortly after, he continued his professional career by signing with the Tamworth Thunderbolts of Australia, who are a part of the Waratah League (Division I). Shortly after he arrived, the Thunderbolts won the Prawn Bowl Championship, and the Thunderbolts would have success throughout their entire season. He scored a season-high of 31 points in a home win against the Central Coast Waves. Gupton finished with an average of 20.3 points per game, and shot 40% from the three-point line.[9]
The Return to Tamworth
In the winter of 2016, he signed again with the Thunderbolts for a second season.[10] Upon his return, he became an unstoppable scoring force. His most memorable game was on May 5, 2017, in a 81-75 home win in Tamworth against the Hills Hornets of Sydney. He connected on five three-pointers, including a off balance three-pointer in the fourth quarter as the shot clock expired late in the fourth quarter. He finished with a game-high of 31 points, in what was described as one of his best games with the Tamworth Thunderbolts.[11] He scored a season-high was 34 points on May 20, 2017, in a home win against the Coffs Harbour Suns.[12] On July 10, 2017, he tied his season-high of 34 points in a win on the road against the Port Macquarie Dolphins.[13] Gupton would score in double figures in every game throughout the season, finishing with an average of 22.1 points per game, which ranked 5th in the Waratah League. His 464 points ranked first, his 129 field goals ranked 2nd, and his 53 three-pointers ranked 4th. He led the Thunderbolts in all of the above categories, as well as his total of 48 steals.[14] Gupton was the first Tamworth Import to earn a spot on the Waratah League All-Star Five Team. He was also awarded the Tamworth Thunderbolts Most Valuable Player Award.[15] He spent his post-season traveling and running the Kyle Gupton Basketball Camp for players in Tamworth, Gunnedah, Armildale, and a final training session with young players in Quirindi.[16][17] Gupton was known as a catalyst for the Thunderbolts, and head coach John Ireland described him as one of the best shooters he's ever seen.[18] He has not ruled out the idea of returning to play for the Thunderbolts at some point of his career.[19]
Edewecht Wattworms
In the late summer of 2018, Gupton signed with the Edewecht Wattworms of the Deutscher Basketball Bund. In his first game he recorded 28 points, 9 steals, 4 assists, and 3 rebounds in a win over the Blue Fire Lions. On October 28, 2018, Gupton recorded 43 points, and converted 11 three-pointers in a win over the Timberwolves.[20] Going into his fifth game, he was leading the league with an average of 32.4 points per game.[21] In the next game on November 10, 2018, Gupton scored 43 points (35 points in the 2nd half) with 6 three-pointers against the TSG Westerstede Eagles. In the last four games of 2018, Gupton scored a total of 167 points and made 29 three-pointers. [22]
Player profile
Gupton is known as an highly efficient shooter, with a quick-release shot. His ability to consistently make long-range shots, creates many scoring opportunities for himself and his teammates. He has an efficient floater, which he's credited to often playing against his taller brothers. His ability to shoot set shots, off of screens, and off the dribble, enables him to score in multiple ways. Gupton's athleticism, speed, and quick first step, has made him a severe threat when attacking the basket. His energy and defense has been praised by teammates and coaches, and he's had a major influence defensively against his opponents' key scorers. His quickness and defensive reads allows him to get steals and deflections. Gupton's ability to handle the ball, attack to the basket, convert difficult floaters, and shoot exceptionally well, makes him a consistent, elite scorer with multiple scoring options. He plays with energy, excitement, and occasionally shows emotion during games.[23]
Gupton is sponsored by Organneck, which is known for essential oil lockets. The company is owned by Dominic Herron, who has been a best friend since childhood. He is also partnered with "DJ Lorenzo" (Jorge Lorenzo), another best friend since childhood.[24]
Personal life
Kyle is the youngest son of Chris and Cindy Gupton. He comes from a basketball family, and has won multiple championships with his brothers and cousins. His brother Corey Gupton starred at Park University for four years. He then played in the American Basketball Association and the Premier Basketball League for the Detroit Panthers, and is known for his energy and efficient hook shot.[25] Corey is currently into acting, and has been featured in Black Panther, Oprah Winfery's Queen Sugar, The Walking Dead, Avengers: Infinity War and many other media productions.[26][27] His brother Kenny earned All-State honors at Henry Ford College, and starred in the American Basketball Association for the Detroit Hoops. Kenny is known for his ability to handle the ball and score efficiently with his athletic ability. With the exception of his mother, Kyle is the shortest in his family.[28]
Professional statistics
| Year | Team | GP | MPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014-15 | Team Network | 20 | 32.2 | .464 | .461 | .833 | 4.0 | 3.5 | 1.2 | .3 | 22.0 | |
| 2015-16 | Tamworth Thunderbolts | 14 | 26.8 | .481 | .404 | .792 | 3.6 | 3.3 | 2.9 | .3 | 20.3 | |
| 2016-17 | Tamworth Thunderbolts | 22 | 26.5 | .483 | .464 | .854 | 3.8 | 3.8 | 2.1 | .4 | 22.1 |
References
- ^ "Men's Basketball / Kyle Gupton". uisprairiestars.com.
- ^ "Men's Basketball Takes Down #10 UIS, Makes GLVC Tournament". uisprairiestars.com.
- ^ "Kyle Gupton". Real GM.
- ^ "Gupton and Vorreyer Bring Home Major Awards From Athletic Banquet". UIS Prairie Stars.
- ^ "Record Book (2002-2018)" (PDF). UIS Prairie Stars/Men's Basketball Record Book.
- ^ Martinez, Marcia. "Prairie Stars' Gupton Excels On, Off Basketball Court". The State Journal-Register.
- ^ PSN Staff, The. "Steel City Yellow Jackets Crush Team Network". Pittsburgh Sporting News.
- ^ "Kyle Gupton". Australia Basket.
- ^ "Thunderbolts Break Waves in Blistering Performance". The Northern Daily Leader.
- ^ "Kyle Gupton Arrives In The Land Down Under". NBN News.
- ^ "Basketball: Thunderbolts Men and Women Notch State League Wins". The Northern Daily Leader.
- ^ "Basketball: Thunderbolts Men Snare Win But Women Suffer Loss". The Northern Daily Leader.
- ^ "Basketball: Port Macquarie Dolphins Defeated 88-64 By Tamworth Thundebolts". Port Macquarie News.
- ^ "Kyle Gupton: Rage of the Bolt". Youtube.
- ^ Kulk, Madeline. "Gupton Named In The Waratah Basketball League's All Star Five". NBN News.
- ^ Hallman, Kate. "PSSA State Finals: Thunderbolts Ace Kyle Gupton Motivates Quirindi Public School Basketball Players". The Norther Daily Leader.
- ^ Kulk, Madeline. "Bolts Player Helps The Next Generation Of Basketball Players". NBN News.
- ^ Hornby-Howell, Nick. "American Flavour Added To Thunderbolts". NBN News.
- ^ Kulk, Madeline. "Gupton Named In Waratah Basketball League's All Star Five". NBN News.
- ^ "Results - District Class East 2018/19 (Results-Statistics)". (German Basketball Association) Basketball Bund. Retrieved 12 November 2018.
- ^ Puchler, Lars. "Ammerlander Prepare In Title Fight". NWZ Online.
- ^ Puchler, Lars. "Top Game Becomes A Real Thriller". NWZ Online.
- ^ "Kyle Gupton: Summary". Australia Basket.
- ^ "Kyle Raome' Gupton/ Player Profile". Kyleguptonbasketball.com.
- ^ "Corey Gupton". Eurobasket.
- ^ "Corey Gupton". Explore Talent.
- ^ "C. Corey Gupton". Deskgram.net.
- ^ "Kyle Ramone' Gupton/ Personal". Kyleguptonbasketball.com.
- ^ "Statistics". Kyleguptonbasketball.com.