Vrenz Bleijenbergh

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Vrenz Bleijenbergh
No. 12 – Coosur Real Betis
PositionShooting guard / Small forward
LeagueLiga ACB
Personal information
Born (2000-10-14) 14 October 2000 (age 20)
Brasschaat, Belgium
NationalityBelgian
Listed height2.08 m (6 ft 10 in)
Listed weight95 kg (209 lb)
Career information
NBA draft2021 / Undrafted
Playing career2018–present
Career history
2018–2021Antwerp Giants
2021–presentReal Betis
Career highlights and awards
hide
Medals
Men's basketball
Representing  Belgium
FIBA U20 European Championship Division B
Bronze medal – third place 2019 Portugal Team
FIBA U18 European Championship Division B
Bronze medal – third place 2018 Macedonia Team

Vrenz Bleijenbergh (born 14 October 2000) is a Belgian professional basketball player for Real Betis of the Spanish Liga ACB.

Early life and youth career[]

Bleijenbergh started playing basketball by the age of four with his local club Ticino Merksem.[1][2] He played the point guard position even though he was tall enough to be a power forward.[3]

Professional career[]

Antwerp Giants (2018–2021)[]

In October 2018, Bleijenbergh signed a long-term professional contract with the Antwerp Giants. He turned down college offers from Arizona, Texas Tech and UCLA, among others.[4] Bleijenbergh left secondary school to focus on basketball.[5] He declared for the 2019 NBA draft before withdrawing.[6] In the 2020–21 season, Bleijenbergh became a regular starter with the Antwerp Giants.[7] He was named Pro Basketball League Rising Star at the end of the season.[8] On 1 June 2021, Bleijenbergh declared for the 2021 NBA draft.[9]

Real Betis (2021–present)[]

On 10 August 2021 he signed with Real Betis of the Spanish Liga ACB.[10]

National team career[]

Bleijenbergh has represented Belgium at several youth international tournaments. He averaged 13.5 points, eight rebounds, a tournament-high six assists and two blocks per game at the 2018 FIBA U18 European Championship Division B in Macedonia, leading his team to a bronze medal. He was named to the All-Tournament Team.[4] At the 2019 FIBA U20 European Championship Division B in Portugal, Bleijenbergh averaged 9.3 points, 6.6 rebounds, 5.6 assists and 2.6 steals per game. He led Belgium to another bronze medal and earned All-Tournament Team honors.[11]

On 24 February 2019, Bleijenbergh made his Belgian senior national team debut, scoring three points against Iceland during EuroBasket 2022 Pre-Qualifiers.[4]

References[]

  1. ^ Brys, Jérôme (30 April 2021). "Vrenz Bleijenbergh, la pépite d'Anvers: "Une déception si je ne suis pas drafté en NBA"". La Dernière Heure (in French). Retrieved 7 May 2021.
  2. ^ "18-jarige Vrenz Bleijenbergh geniet van elke minuut in eerste ploeg van Antwerp Giants: "Het gaat plots allemaal wel heel snel voor mij"". Het Nieuwsblad (in Dutch). 26 October 2018. Retrieved 7 May 2021.
  3. ^ Madrid, Alex (5 January 2021). "Vrenz Bleijenbergh: "I'm working to be a first-round pick"". EuroHoops. Retrieved 8 May 2021.
  4. ^ Jump up to: a b c Hein, David (6 January 2020). "Antwerp's Bleijenbergh goes all-in for basketball". Basketball Champions League. Retrieved 7 May 2021.
  5. ^ Van Genechten, Vincent (20 December 2018). "Belgisch supertalent wordt gevolgd door NBA-teams: "Ze vergelijken mij wel eens met Kevin Durant"". Het Nieuwsblad (in Dutch). Retrieved 7 May 2021.
  6. ^ Pfeifer, Ben (10 June 2019). "Vrenz Bleijenbergh withdraws from the 2019 NBA Draft". The Rookie Wire. Retrieved 8 May 2021.
  7. ^ Ceulemans, Patrick; Jacobs, Hans (11 March 2021). "Een jaar later dan gepland jaagt Giants-speler Vrenz Bleijenbergh zijn NBA-droom na: "Ik ben intussen een echte vent"". Het Nieuwsblad (in Dutch). Retrieved 8 May 2021.
  8. ^ "Results". EuroMillions Basketball League. 9 May 2021. Retrieved 1 June 2021.
  9. ^ Bleijenbergh, Vrenz [@Vrenzzz] (1 June 2021). "Declared. 17 years spent with this incredible team @antwerpgiants .. started here when I was 4.. From the youth all the way up to the first team was a unbelievable achievement. Im really thankful to everyone who helped me grow as a player but also as a person. (1/2)" (Tweet). Retrieved 1 June 2021 – via Twitter.
  10. ^ "Real Betis signs Vrenz Bleijenbergh". Sportando. August 10, 2021. Retrieved August 11, 2021.
  11. ^ "Antwerp-speler Vrenz Bleijenbergh in All-Tournament Team op EK U20". Het Nieuwsblad (in Dutch). 22 July 2019. Retrieved 8 May 2021.

External links[]

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