Tarkus Ferguson (born July 27, 1997) is an American professional basketball player for the Rayos de Hermosillo of the Circuito de Baloncesto de la Costa del Pacífico (CIBACOPA). He played college basketball for the UIC Flames.

Tarkus Ferguson
Ferguson in the 2015 IHSA Class 3A Championship game
No. 9 – Rayos de Hermosillo
PositionShooting guard
LeagueCIBACOPA
Personal information
Born (1997-07-27) July 27, 1997 (age 27)
NationalityAmerican
Listed height6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
Listed weight190 lb (86 kg)
Career information
High school
College
  • UIC (2016–2020)
NBA draft2020: undrafted
Playing career2020–present
Career history
2020–2021Vevey Riviera
2021UBSC Graz
2021–2022Sioux Falls Skyforce
2022Salt Lake City Stars
2022–presentRayos de Hermosillo
Career highlights and awards
  • 2x Second-team All-Horizon League (2019, 2020)
  • Horizon League All-Freshman Team (2017)

Early life and high school career

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Ferguson played his freshman season at Belleville High School-West and saw action in five games. He transferred to Cahokia High School as a sophomore and averaged 8.2 points per game on a team that finished 23–9. Before his junior season, Ferguson transferred to Althoff Catholic High School in Belleville, Illinois, which he wanted to attend as a freshman.[1] As a junior, Ferguson scored 21 points to lead the Crusaders to a 65–53 victory against Cahokia in the championship game of the Class 3A Mascoutah Regional.[2] As a senior, he led the team to a 32–2 record and 62–37 win against Providence Catholic High School in the Illinois Class 3A state championship. Ferguson also played football as a wide receiver and was heavily recruited, but he decided to focus on basketball and committed to UIC because he liked coach Steve McClain's up-tempo style.[3]

College career

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As a freshman, Ferguson averaged 11.2 points, 5.3 rebounds, and a conference-leading 5.4 assists per game.[4] He was named to the Horizon League All-Freshman Team.[5] Ferguson was sidelined for much of the nonconference part of his sophomore season with a foot injury. He averaged 10.6 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 5.0 assists per game.[6] On November 16, 2018, Ferguson scored a career-high 25 points in a 100–95 overtime win against William & Mary.[7] On December 5, 2018, he recorded the second triple-double in program history with 14 points, 12 rebounds and 11 assists in a 94–75 win against Illinois State.[8] Ferguson led UIC in scoring (15.5 points per game), rebounding (6.8 per game) and assists (5.2 per game) and posted 26 double-digit scoring games as a junior, including seven double-doubles. He was named to the Second Team All-Horizon League.[9] Ferguson tied his career-high with 25 points in a 73–56 win against Wright State in the conference tournament semifinal.[10] As a senior, Ferguson averaged 14.5 points, 5.9 rebounds, 4.8 assists, and 1.2 steals per game.[11] He earned Second Team All-Horizon League honors for the second consecutive season.[12]

Professional career

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Vevey Riviera (2020–2021)

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On September 1, 2020, Ferguson signed with Vevey Riviera of the Swiss Basketball League.[13]

UBSC Graz (2021)

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On June 27, 2021, Ferguson signed with UBSC Graz of the Austrian Basketball Bundesliga.[14]

Sioux Falls Skyforce (2021–2022)

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On December 1, 2021, Ferguson was acquired by the Sioux Falls Skyforce via waivers. He was waived on January 28, 2022.[15]

Salt Lake City Stars (2022)

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On March 17, 2022, Ferguson was acquired via available player pool by the Salt Lake City Stars.[15]

Rayos de Hermosillo (2022–present)

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On May 7, 2022, Ferguson signed with the Rayos de Hermosillo of the CIBACOPA.[16]

References

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  1. ^ Zuvanich, Adam (March 20, 2016). "Althoff rolls to first title for a Belleville basketball program". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. p. C13. Retrieved September 10, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  2. ^ Overbey, Steve (March 6, 2015). "Ferguson helps Althoff to first regional crown since 2009". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Retrieved September 10, 2020.
  3. ^ Scott, Maurice (February 13, 2019). "UIC guard Tarkus Ferguson is lighting up the Horizon League". The St. Louis American. Retrieved September 10, 2020.
  4. ^ Eschman, Todd (December 27, 2018). "Belleville 'brothers' Ferguson and Smith will share a college court on national TV". Belleville News-Democrat. Retrieved September 10, 2020.
  5. ^ "Peters Named Player of the Year; #HLMBB All-Conference Teams" (Press release). Horizon League. March 1, 2017. Archived from the original on June 4, 2017. Retrieved March 3, 2017.
  6. ^ Sweeney, Kevin (October 15, 2018). "32×32: 2018–19 Horizon League Preview". CBB Central. Retrieved September 10, 2020.
  7. ^ "UIC outlasts William & Mary 100–95 in OT". ESPN. Associated Press. November 16, 2018. Retrieved September 10, 2020.
  8. ^ "Ferguson's triple-double, Blount help UIC beat Illinois St". ESPN. Associated Press. December 5, 2018. Retrieved November 17, 2020.
  9. ^ Ryan, Shannon (October 22, 2019). "UIC might deserve the most buzz in Chicago — and Loyola isn't the favorite anymore. A look at college basketball in the city". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved September 10, 2020.
  10. ^ "UIC advances to 1st Horizon League title game since 2004". ESPN. Associated Press. March 9, 2020. Retrieved September 10, 2020.
  11. ^ "What Could Have Been? Help Us Play Out the 2020 Dos Equis 3X3U National Championship". 3x3UHoops.com. Retrieved September 10, 2020.
  12. ^ "Horizon League Reveals 2019–20 #HLMBB All-League Awards" (Press release). Horizon League. March 2, 2020. Retrieved March 2, 2020.
  13. ^ "Vevey Riviera tabs rookie Tarkus Ferguson". Eurobasket.com. September 1, 2020. Retrieved September 10, 2020.
  14. ^ "UBSC Graz inks Tarkus Ferguson, ex Vevey Riviera". Eurobasket.com. June 27, 2021. Retrieved June 27, 2021.
  15. ^ a b "2021–22 NBA G League transactions". NBA.com. Retrieved March 17, 2022.
  16. ^ "Tarkus Ferguson signs at Hermosillo". Latinbasket.com. May 7, 2022. Retrieved May 8, 2022.
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