McCarron signs with Palencia in Spain
2015 NCAA Division II National Player of the Year Mitch McCarron has signed his first professional contract after agreeing to terms with Spanish LEB Gold side Palencia.
While the complete details of his contract have yet to be divulged, Palencia will provide McCarron with a great opportunity from which to launch his professional career.
McCarron scores again - Courtesy Metro State University
The Metropolitan State Denver graduate averaged a career-best 20.2 points per game (49%FG), an impressive 41.9% from beyond the arc and 84.9% from the free throw line, with 6 rebounds and 4.5 assists each contest. Arguably McCarron’s best performance of the season was when he posted just the third triple-double in school history, gathering 11 points, 11 rebounds and 13 assists in a win against Colorado Christian in the RMAC Tournament. McCarron’s on court performances saw him end the season ranked in the top 50 nationally in a host of statistical categories including scoring, assists, free throws made, attempted and percentage, and minutes played.
The 6’3 senior guard from Queensland, one of four Australians on the 2014/15 Metro State University of Denver roster, enjoyed a standout season with the Roadrunners. In leading the Roadrunners to Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC) championship game in which they finished runner-up, he was named RMAC Player of the Year, joined on the All-Conference First Team by fellow senior team-mate Nicholas Kay.
In addition to being named RMAC Player of the Year and All-Conference First Team selection, McCarron was also named to the All-America Second Team by Daktronics/Conference Commissioners Association and Basketball Times. He then added selection to the NABC All-America First Team before being named National Player of the Year, an award that was presented to him during the NCAA Division I Final Four weekend.
McCarron also earned a chance to workout for the Denver Nuggets this offseason in which he did his future chances no harm. While McCarron received offers to play in the NBA Summer League from multiple teams, he chose to decline the opportunity in favour of playing a key role in Australia's recent World University Games campaign.
Palencia who finished in eight place in 2015 with a 14-14 record, will be looking to improve on their early quarterfinal with their new Australian guard in action next season.
While McCarron still has aspirations to make it to the NBA, his dream for now remains on hold as he looks to establish himself as a professional player in Europe.