WSU's Land Headed to Norway to Begin Professional Career

Cooper Land, who averaged 8.9 points and 3.0 rebounds for Wright State last season, is headed to Norway to begin his professional basketball career. Land signed to play for the Asker Aliens of the Norwegian League (BLNO).

Land appeared in 26 of Wright State's 33 contests last year, missing games due to back troubles midway through the season. Able to play both inside and out, Land connected on 41 percent of his attempts from three-point range.

The native of Highland Village, Texas, Land is the third Raider to head to Europe for the 2011-12 basketball season. Vaughn Duggins is playing in the German Bundesliga for Walter Tigers Tubingen, while N'Gai Evans will compete with F.F. Feni Industries in the Macedonian League. Land's older brother, Taylor, plays basketball in Denmark. Cory Johnson (Valparaiso; WCAA Giants), Rahmon Fletcher (Green Bay; WCAA Giants), Matt Howard (Butler; Olympiacos) and Shawn Vanzant (Butler; Korihait) have also signed professional contracts to play in Europe

In the BLNO, Land will coach youth teams for Asker as well. The Aliens went 18-3 in the BLNO in 2010-11, but fell in the tournament semifinals.