Aberdeen, SD (NSUWolves.com) – Northern State University graduate Sam Masten will return to the hardwood this fall as a member of the Derby Trailblazers, a member of the NBL D1 based in the United Kingdom. Masten signed his contract for the 2023-24 season on June 7 and will join the organization in September.
“I’m really excited to get to Derby and experience what it’s like to travel the world and play basketball for a living,” explained Masten. “Huge thanks to everyone at Northern that put me in a position to make this possible!”
The Trailblazers are a member of the Basketball England NBL. Northern State fans may recognize the league as it houses Team Solent Krestels, where Ian Smith played multiple seasons and earned league MVP honors. Derby finished third in the NBL standings in 2022-23 with a 19-7 record overall in the regular season. They advanced to the league semifinals and ultimately fell to Worthing Thunder. The Trailblazers have finished in the top-5 of the NBL since 2018-19 with back-to-back third place finishes. Masten joins the team after the departure of former Southwest Minnesota State guard Ryan Bruggeman.
“We are extremely excited for Sam,” noted head men’s basketball coach Saul Phillips. “Sam has been an integral part of our team these last two seasons and we are happy he is able to extend his playing career. We wish him the best of luck and he will forever be a Wolf!”
In just two seasons with the Wolves, the Highlands Ranch native recorded 1,010 points, 379 rebounds, and 307 assists. He shot 52.3% from the floor and 77.7% from the foul line. In addition, Masten recorded four double-doubles and one triple double. He was named to the NSIC All-Conference second team in 2021-22 and has racked up the honors this season.
In 2022-23, Masten was a 6-time NSIC Player of the Week, D2CIDA National Player of the Week, CSC Academic All-America® team member, the NSIC North Division Player of the Year, a first team All-NSIC selection, D2CCA All-District first team honoree, and NABC All-American. He finished the year top-10 in the country in assist/turnover ratio, total assists, and triple-doubles.