Ameen Tanksley, former Hofstra hoops star, heading for Poland
Hofstra Pride guard Ameen Tanksley (2) goes to the basket during first half of the Florida Atlantic University Owls at the Hofstra Pride on Tuesday Dec. 22, 2015. Credit: Lee S. Weissman
Former Hofstra basketball standout Ameen Tanksley will continue his professional career overseas.
Tanksley, who co-starred for the Pride’s 2015-16 NIT team, signed with Poland’s Polpharma Starogard Gdanski late last month. He and 2015-16 CAA Player of the Year Juan’ya Green returned to Hofstra Friday to work out with the current team.
“There’s more opportunity for me to show what I can really do (overseas),” said Tanksley, who spent time with the D-League’s Rio Grande Valley Vipers last season. “I feel like the D-League is a lot more political for the higher-tier guys. I feel like I have a better chance overseas for my game.”
Green said he and his agent Dan Curtin are still searching for the right opportunity, though he has a few overseas offers already on the table.
“I’m trying to go back, maybe end of August or September. Something like that,” Green said. “I don’t know where I’m going yet, but I have a couple options right now. I’m just trying to wait my turn and see where it goes for me.”
Green spent a few weeks playing for Kymis in Greece last season, but said he left the team early in the season because of “issues at home.” Since then, he has committed himself to earning another contract.
“Just keep working out, working on your craft, making sure your body’s right, eating right,” he said. “Just trying not to get injured or anything.”
In two years at Hofstra, Green finished 22nd on the program’s all-time scoring list with 1,186 points. He scored 1,131 points at Niagara before following coach Joe Mihalich to Hofstra. Only three other Division I players had ever scored 1,000 or more points at two different schools.
Green also holds Hofstra’s single-season assists record with 243 in 2015-16.
Tanksley, who also transferred from Niagara, scored 1,110 points over his two seasons with Hofstra. He said he will report to Poland on August 12.
Both Green and Tanksley enjoyed working out with the Pride once again.
“I’m just up here for the weekend,” Green said. “I came up here to get a couple reps in with the guys, see old teammates, see old coaches and just have some fun doing it.”
