Al Ittihad Tri sign a second USA player, ex Sagesse

- June 6, 2024

POSTED BY: Yusuf Abduljalil

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Cleanthony Early

Cleanthony Early

Al Ittihad Tripoli (D1) landed 33-year old American 203cm forward Cleanthony Early (college: Wichita State) for new season. Early joins another USA player Antwan Scott who is already in the roster.
He played most recently at Sagesse in Lebanese LBL league. In 12 games he averaged impressive 18.2ppg, 6.3rpg and 2.3apg last season. He helped them to make it to the Lebanese League final. Early also played 8 games in West Asia Super League where he had very remarkable stats: 19.9ppg, 9.8rpg, 1.0apg and 1.1bpg. He contributed to his team making it to the West Asia Super League Final 8 final.
The previous (2022-23) season he played at Al-Ittihad (Premier League) in Bahrain league. Early contributed to his team making it to the semifinals.
In 2014 he was drafted by New York Knicks (NBA) in second round (34th overall). The former Wichita State star is in his eleventh (!!!) season in pro basketball.
He is a very experienced player. And here thanks to pro basketball he experienced life in fourteen different countries playing on five different continents. Early is familiar with European, Asian, Latin American, African and of course North American leagues. He has played previously professionally in Dominican Republic (Parque Hostos and Enriquillo), France (Olympique Antibes), Greece (AEK Athens), Hungary (Atomeromu), Japan (Hachioji Trains), Saudi Arabia (Al Ahli, Al Nassr and Ohod), South Africa (Tigers), Taiwan (New Taipei CTBC DEA and TB Earlyrobears), Venezuela (Gladiadores), NBA G League (Santa Cruz Warriors and RGV Vipers), Kuwait (Kazma), The Basketball Tournament (Aftershocks) and Mongolia (BCH Garid).
Among many awards he was voted to Asia-Basket.com Japanese B League D2 All-Imports Team back in 2019. He played also for Sullivan County Community College for 2 years.