Yanni Wetzell

Yanni Wetzell (born July 8, 1996) is a New Zealand professional basketball player who is currently a free agent.

Yanni Wetzell
Personal information
Born (1996-07-08) July 8, 1996
NationalityNew Zealander
Listed height6 ft 10 in (2.08 m)
Listed weight240 lb (109 kg)
Career information
High schoolWestlake Boys
(Auckland, New Zealand)
College
Playing career2020–present
PositionPower forward
Number10
Career highlights and awards

Early life and high school career

Wetzell grew up in Auckland, New Zealand. At the age of eight, he played soccer alongside later San Diego State goaltender Cameron Hogg. Wetzell decided to focus on tennis at the age of 13 and achieved a junior national ranking.[1] He attended Westlake Boys High School in Auckland.[2] As a senior in high school, he began playing basketball due to a growth spurt.[3] Wetzell helped lead his team to the 2014 final of the Secondary Schools National Championships, losing to Otago Boys High School.[2] Wetzell did not receive any collegiate offers, so he used an international recruiting agency to connect him to Division II St. Mary's.[1]

College career

As a freshman at St. Mary's, Wetzell averaged 11.7 and 5.6 rebounds per game. He was named Heartland Conference Freshman of the Year. Wetzell averaged 15.5 points and 6.8 rebounds per game as a sophomore.[3] He was named to the Second Team All-Heartland Conference.[4] Following the season, he transferred to Vanderbilt, choosing the Commodores over Purdue, Baylor, and Texas, and sat out a season per NCAA regulations.[5]

As a junior at Vanderbilt, Wetzell made 10 starts and averaged 5.9 points and 3.8 rebounds per game, shooting 49.6 percent from the floor. He was a SEC Academic Honor Roll honoree and earned a degree in economics.[4] The Commodores finished 0–18 in SEC play and coach Bryce Drew was fired. Wetzell contacted Saint Mary's assistant coach Bubba Meyer to request advice about a graduate transfer. San Diego State coach Brian Dutcher was informed, and after taking an official visit Wetzell chose the Aztecs over an offer from Texas Tech. He helped replace Jalen McDaniels, who left early to play professionally.[1] Wetzell averaged 11.6 points, 6.5 rebounds and 1.3 assists per game as a senior, and his 59.2% field goal percentage is ninth-highest in Aztec single-season history.[6] He was named to the Second Team All-Mountain West.[7]

Professional career

On July 28, 2020, Wetzell signed his first professional contract with South East Melbourne Phoenix of the National Basketball League.[8] On August 16, 2020, Wetzell exercised the European out clause in his contract and was released by the Phoenix. [9]

National team career

In 2017, Wetzell was named to the New Zealand Select Team that played in a tournament in China.[10] He has also competed for the New Zealand U19 Team, also known as the Tall Blacks.[11]

Personal life

Wetzell is the son of Jenny and Clem Wetzell, who travelled to see him play 12 games at San Diego State.[12]

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References
  1. Zeigler, Mark (May 4, 2019). "SDSU basketball lands 6-10 grad transfer from New Zealand, via Vanderbilt". San Diego Union Tribune. Retrieved August 4, 2020.
  2. "Basketball: Yanni Wetzell continues rapid rise". New Zealand Herald. May 12, 2017. Retrieved August 4, 2020.
  3. Sisk, David (May 10, 2017). "Yanni Wetzell commits to Vanderbilt". Rivals.com. Retrieved August 4, 2020.
  4. "San Diego State Hoops Adds Yanni Wetzell". San Diego State Aztecs. May 8, 2019. Retrieved August 4, 2020.
  5. Sparks, Adam (May 10, 2017). "Vanderbilt lands 6-foot-10 transfer Yanni Wetzell". The Tennessean. Retrieved August 4, 2020.
  6. "Wetzell, Mitchell Join Flynn, Dutcher as Aztecs Collect More Post-Season Kudos". Times of San Diego. March 26, 2020. Retrieved August 4, 2020.
  7. "Mountain West Announces 2019–20 Men's Basketball All-Conference Team" (Press release). Mountain West Conference. March 3, 2020. Retrieved March 3, 2020.
  8. "Phoenix Sign College Star Yanni Wetzell". Sportando. July 28, 2020. Retrieved August 4, 2020.
  9. "Yanni Wetzell Exercises European Out". NBL.com.au. August 16, 2020. Retrieved August 16, 2020.
  10. "NEW ZEALAND SELECT TEAM NAMED TO TRAVEL TO CHINA". Basketball New Zealand. May 16, 2017. Retrieved August 4, 2020.
  11. "FROM ACES TO AZTECS – YANNI WETZELL'S BASKETBALL JOURNEY". Basketball New Zealand. February 21, 2020. Retrieved August 4, 2020.
  12. Zeigler, Mark (February 7, 2020). "From Auckland to Laramie: Yanni Wetzell's parents traverse the Mountain West". San Diego Union-Tribune. Retrieved August 4, 2020.
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