Ex-Tartan Star Kwadzo Ahelegbe Inks German Basketball Contract

Former Tartan standout Kwadzo Ahelegbe completed his college basketball career at the University of Northern Iowa as the Missouri Valley Conference Defensive MVP and a first team All-Conference selection. Hopefully, he made sure his passport was up-to-date.

That passport is going to get a workout as Ahelegbe signed a professional contract with BG Göttingen in Germany Wednesday for the upcoming season.

"I am thankful to start my professional career with BG Göttingen," Ahelegbe said in a press release. "The club has a great history with good success and playing in the Euro Challenge. I look forward to meeting my teammates and accomplishing our goals."

BG Göttingen coach Stefan Mienack said he was happy to have signed a player of Ahelegbe's ability.

"Kwadzo is an athletic and physical guard that shows great personality on the court and led his team and was a big influence on their success," Mienack said.

Ahelegbe will report to Germany Aug. 19.

Ahelegbe led the Panthers with 14.1 points per game as a senior, leading them to top a 20-14 overall mark and a 10-8 conference record. He started all 34 games as a senior and finished his career with 107 consecutive starts. Ahelegbe finished his career ranked No. 9 on the Panthers' all-time scoring list with 1,329 points.

Ahelegbe became a household name as a junior as he helped lead Northern Iowa to a 69-67 win over No. 1 seed Kansas in the second round of the NCAA Tournament, ruining many fans' brackets. The Panthers finished with a 30-5 mark, losing to Michigan State 62-59 in the Sweet 16.

Ahelegbe was named first team All-State as a high school senior as he averaged 21 points per game and was key part of the Titans team that made the Minnesota State Tournament in 2004 and 2005.

Patch.com recently caught up with Ahelegbe to learn more about his professional dream and top high school and college memories.

Oakdale Patch: Did you get a chance to go to any exposure camps to be spotted by the foreign teams?

Kwadzo Ahelegbe: I was at one in Miami. It was a new experience for me. It opened up my eyes to the professional ranks

Oakdale Patch: You had a great career at Northern Iowa. Obviously, one of the highlights has to be the NCAA Tournament run?

Ahelegbe: Yes, most definitely. That was a lasting impression that left a mark on many people in the Minnesota area—my family and friends. It was really great.

Oakdale Patch: Do a lot of people give you a hard time because a lot of people, including myself, had Kansas wining it all?

Ahelegbe: Everybody did. I had Kansas winning it too But you know what, we got it.

Oakdale Patch: What were some of the other highlights of your time at Northern Iowa?

Ahelegbe: Back-to-back conference tournaments. Going to the NCAA Tournament my first year. Just everything. It was a great experience. Going to the Virgin Islands. Playing with (former Tartan star) Eric Coleman. There were a lot of great things. I can’t really complain at all about my college career

Oakdale Patch: You had a Tartan connection at Northern Iowa with Coleman and Marc Sonnen, who will be a junior. Did that make it special for you guys?

Ahelegbe: It was a huge thing. I got to watch Marc’s growth. I got to help his growth. He is going to take off this next year.

Oakdale Patch: What stands out about your Tartan days?

Ahelegbe: Man, everything. State tournaments. All of that. I had a great high school and college career. 

Oakdale Patch: You had a close relationship with Tartan head coach Mark Klingsporn. I know that they would come down and play a game down in Iowa and them watch your team play. Do you keep in touch with him?

Ahelegbe: Most definitely. He is a father figure to me. Coach K. He still has his hands in my life and my future. I always keep in touch with him. I’m waiting to get my jersey retired, which I hope will be soon.

Oakdale Patch: What type of things are you working on to improve yourself as a player and get ready to play professionally?

Ahelegbe: Everything, everything. I have a great advisor and a great mentor (former NBA player Chris Carr). I have a great support group to help me achieve up to my maximum potential.