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Nojel Eastern

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Nojel Eastern
Eastern with Purdue in 2020
No. 31 – Iowa Wolves
PositionPoint guard / shooting guard
LeagueNBA G League
Personal information
Born (1999-05-26) May 26, 1999 (age 25)
Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
Listed height6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)
Listed weight225 lb (102 kg)
Career information
High schoolEvanston Township
(Evanston, Illinois)
CollegePurdue (2017–2020)
NBA draft2021: undrafted
Playing career2023–present
Career history
2023Rayos de Hermosillo
2023Halcones Rojos Veracruz
2023–presentIowa Wolves
Career highlights and awards
Medals
Men's basketball
Representing  United States
Summer Universiade
Silver medal – second place 2017 Taipei Team

Nojel Imani Eastern (born May 26, 1999) is an American professional basketball player for the Iowa Wolves of the NBA G League. He played college basketball for three seasons with the Purdue Boilermakers, then transferred to Howard University before ultimately opting out of the season, then entered the 2021 NBA draft, but was not selected.

Early life

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Eastern's first name, Nojel, is an ananym of his father's name, Lejon. He was raised by his mother, Tamala Reed, who worked for the Chicago Transit Authority. Eastern had attention deficit hyperactivity disorder since his youth. Even though his mother worked in Chicago, he attended school in Evanston, Illinois due to the district's superior academics. From fourth to eighth grade, Eastern lived with Travis Ransom, a family friend.[1]

High school career

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Eastern played four years of varsity basketball for Evanston Township High School in Evanston. As a sophomore, he averaged 15.7 points, 5.3 rebounds and three assists per game, leading his team to the Central Suburban League South championship and a Class 4A regional title.[2] In April 2015, Eastern dislocated his left ankle and fractured two bones in it during an Amateur Athletic Union game, before undergoing surgery.[3] In his junior season, he averaged 14.9 points, 6.5 rebounds and four assists per game, helping Evanston Township win Central Suburban South and Class 4A regional titles.[4] As a senior, Eastern averaged 15.6 points, 7.1 rebounds and 4.2 assists per game and was named Pioneer Press All-Area Player of the Year.[5] He was the runner-up to Mark Smith for the Illinois Mr. Basketball award.[6]

Recruiting

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On November 16, 2016, Eastern committed to play college basketball for Purdue over offers from Michigan State, Ohio State, DePaul and Seton Hall, among others. He was drawn to Purdue because of its coaching staff and its proximity.[7] Eastern was considered a consensus four-star recruit by major recruiting services.[8]

US college sports recruiting information for high school athletes
Name Hometown High school / college Height Weight Commit date
Nojel Eastern
SG 		Evanston, IL Evanston Township (IL) 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 207 lb (94 kg) Nov 16, 2016 
Recruiting star ratings: Rivals:4/5 stars   247Sports:4/5 stars    ESPN:4/5 stars   ESPN grade: 83
Overall recruiting rankings:   Rivals: 77  247Sports: 59  ESPN: 84
  • Note: In many cases, Scout, Rivals, 247Sports, and ESPN may conflict in their listings of height and weight.
  • In these cases, the average was taken. ESPN grades are on a 100-point scale.

Sources:

  • "Purdue 2017 Basketball Commitments". Rivals.com. Retrieved June 18, 2020.
  • "2017 Purdue Boilermakers Recruiting Class". ESPN.com. Retrieved June 18, 2020.
  • "2017 Team Ranking". Rivals.com. Retrieved June 18, 2020.

College career

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Eastern defended by Brandon Johns of Michigan in February 2020

As a freshman at Purdue, Eastern averaged 2.9 points, 2.5 rebounds and 1.1 assists per game in the role of a defensive specialist off the bench.[8][9] After the season, he declared for the 2018 NBA draft without hiring an agent, before withdrawing from the draft.[10] On March 9, 2019, Eastern scored a career-high 15 points in a 70–57 win over Northwestern.[11] In his sophomore season, he became a regular starter and averaged 7.5 points, a team-high 5.5 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 1.1 steals per game, earning Big Ten Conference All-Defensive honors. Eastern became the first Purdue point guard to lead the team in rebounding since at least 1954.[12] By the time he was a junior, he became Purdue's top defender, with the ability to guard all five positions.[13] As a junior, Eastern averaged 4.9 points, four rebounds and 2.7 assists per game, earning Big Ten All-Defensive accolades for a second time. He led his team in assists and steals.[8] Following the season, he declared for the 2020 NBA draft.[14]

On May 12, 2020, Eastern announced that he would transfer from Purdue.[15] Two days later, he committed to Michigan for his senior season.[16] However, on June 17, Eastern announced that he would not play for Michigan after he was unable to clear the admission to the school.[17] On August 6, 2020, Eastern committed to continue his career at Howard.[18] Before playing a game, he quit the team on January 3, 2021 to pursue a professional career and train for the 2021 NBA draft.[19]

Professional career

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Rayos de Hermosillo (2023)

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After going undrafted in the 2021 NBA draft, Eastern joined the Long Island Nets for training camp after a successful tryout.[20] However, he was waived on October 27, 2021.[21]

On March 10, 2023, Eastern debuted with the Rayos de Hermosillo of the Circuito de Baloncesto de la Costa del Pacífico (CIBACOPA). He earned All-Star honors.[22]

Halcones Rojos Veracruz (2023)

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On August 4, 2023, Eastern signed with Halcones Rojos Veracruz from the Mexican LNBP.[23]

Iowa Wolves (2023–present)

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On October 29, 2023, Eastern was picked 41st overall in the 2023 NBA G League draft by the Iowa Wolves[24]

National team career

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Eastern and his Purdue teammates represented the United States at the 2017 Summer Universiade in Taipei. He averaged 5.6 points, 2.4 rebounds and 2.4 assists in 14.5 minutes per game, helping his team win the silver medal.[25][26]

Career statistics

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Legend
  GP Games played   GS  Games started  MPG  Minutes per game
 FG%  Field goal percentage  3P%  3-point field goal percentage  FT%  Free throw percentage
 RPG  Rebounds per game  APG  Assists per game  SPG  Steals per game
 BPG  Blocks per game  PPG  Points per game  Bold  Career high

College

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Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2017–18 Purdue 37 0 12.6 .483 .333 .417 2.5 1.1 .6 .1 2.9
2018–19 Purdue 36 35 28.2 .495 .000 .650 5.5 2.5 1.1 .3 7.5
2019–20 Purdue 31 27 25.5 .420 .000 .485 4.0 2.7 1.1 .2 4.9
Career 104 62 21.8 .466 .188 .558 4.0 2.0 .9 .2 5.1

References

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  1. ^ Cardi, Julia (July 13, 2016). "Chasing Nojel". Medill Reports. Northwestern University. Retrieved May 17, 2020.
  2. ^ Harness, Matt (March 31, 2015). "Evanston's Nojel Eastern makes All-Area Boys Basketball Second Team". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved May 17, 2020.
  3. ^ Harness, Matt (May 5, 2015). "Coaches don't think injury will affect recruitment of Nojel Eastern". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved May 17, 2020.
  4. ^ Mahoney, Dennis (March 5, 2016). "Eastern's clutch play lifts Wildkits to regional title". Evanston Now. Retrieved May 17, 2020.
  5. ^ Shalin, Dan (March 29, 2017). "All-Area Boys Basketball First Team: Nojel Eastern, Evanston". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved May 17, 2020.
  6. ^ Larkin, Will (March 21, 2017). "Edwardsville's Mark Smith named Mr. Basketball; Rock Island's Brea Beal is Ms. Basketball". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved May 17, 2020.
  7. ^ Narang, Bob (November 16, 2016). "Nojel Eastern picks Purdue because of coaches, proximity to home". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved May 17, 2020.
  8. ^ a b c "Nojel Eastern". Purdue University Athletics. Retrieved May 17, 2020.
  9. ^ Baird, Nathan (November 17, 2018). "As Nojel Eastern continues to prove himself, Purdue basketball's potential rises". Journal & Courier. Retrieved June 2, 2020.
  10. ^ Osipoff, Michael (July 14, 2018). "Evanston grad Nojel Eastern 'living in the moment' at Purdue after NBA draft process". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved June 2, 2020.
  11. ^ "Edwards scores 21, No. 11 Purdue beats Northwestern 70–57". ESPN. Associated Press. March 9, 2019. Retrieved June 2, 2020.
  12. ^ Baird, Nathan (March 7, 2019). "Purdue's unconventional, invaluable Nojel Eastern returns home with championship at stake". Journal & Courier. Retrieved June 2, 2020.
  13. ^ Glaspie, Akeem (January 3, 2020). "Nojel Eastern's winning plays are contagious for Purdue basketball". The Indianapolis Star. Retrieved June 2, 2020.
  14. ^ Carmin, Mike (April 26, 2020). "Purdue basketball's Nojel Eastern submits name in NBA Draft". Journal & Courier. Retrieved June 2, 2020.
  15. ^ Douglas, Brett (May 12, 2020). "Breaking News: Nojel Eastern Enters Transfer Portal". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved June 2, 2020.
  16. ^ Borzello, Jeff (May 14, 2020). "Purdue transfer Nojel Eastern headed to Michigan". ESPN. Retrieved June 2, 2020.
  17. ^ Cobb, David (June 17, 2020). "Purdue transfer Nojel Eastern no longer heading to Michigan after being denied admission". CBS Sports. Retrieved June 17, 2020.
  18. ^ "Nojel Eastern, a P5 transfer, lands at Howard". HBCU Gameday. August 6, 2020. Retrieved August 6, 2020.
  19. ^ "Nojel Eastern, who nearly transferred to Michigan, opting out of season with Howard". Detroit News. January 3, 2021. Retrieved January 27, 2021.
  20. ^ "No big surprises on Long Island Nets training camp roster". NetsDaily.com. SB Nation. October 25, 2021. Retrieved November 7, 2021.
  21. ^ "Long Island Nets Waive Nojel Eastern". OurSportsCentral.com. October 27, 2021. Retrieved November 7, 2021.
  22. ^ Romero, Marcos (April 23, 2023). "Lucen talentos en Juego de Estrellas Cibacopa 2023". El Sol de Tijuana (in Spanish). Retrieved June 4, 2023.
  23. ^ "Nojel Eastern jugará con Halcones Rojos en la LNBP". MasNoticias.mx (in Spanish). August 4, 2023. Retrieved December 8, 2023.
  24. ^ "2023 NBA G League Draft". NBA.com. October 29, 2023. Retrieved October 30, 2023.
  25. ^ Jacobson, Jake (October 2, 2017). "Purdue Men's Basketball: International tournament reinforces veteran experience". Purdue Exponent. Retrieved June 1, 2020.
  26. ^ "Getting to Know: Nojel Eastern". Purdue University Athletics. October 9, 2017. Retrieved June 1, 2020.
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