HOOP DREAMS: Palmer graduate eyes opportunity to play professional basketball

PALMER — Connor Looney enjoyed an unforgettable end to his college basketball career.

The former Palmer High School standout helped lead Hawaii Pacific University to its first PacWest Conference regular season title, its first conference tournament champion and its first national tournament win en route to the semifinal round of the NCAA Division II west regional.

But Looney’s basketball career is not over.

The 2013 graduate of Palmer High School is garnering serious interest from a team in the top professional league in the United Kingdom and could agree to terms with the team within the next three weeks, Looney said Friday afternoon.

“I’ve been talking with (the coach) with the Bristol Flyers. They really like my game,” Looney said.

Bristol, based in Bristol, England, is one of a dozen teams in the British Basketball League. Once it became apparent to Looney that he wanted to take his basketball career beyond the college level, he began exploring his options. He looked into leagues on multiple continents, including Australia, Europe and Asia. Bristol and the BBL has been the primary focus so far. Now, Looney is preparing for the legitimate chance to go from the gyms of smalltown Alaska to a shot at getting paid to play the game he loves professionally.

“Oh man, it feels great. Humbling,” Looney said. “Coming from a small town to potentially having the chance to play in a different country.”

Looney said his desire to play pro basketball wasn’t immediate.

“In high school I didn’t start saying I wanted to play college ball until I was a sophomore. In college, I wasn’t really thinking I’d have a chance to make a career out of it until my sophomore year,” Looney said.

As he became more successful at the Division II level, it added to his drive to pursue the pro ranks.

“I began continuing to put in the work to see where it takes me,” Looney said.

Work overseas would not be a first for Looney. During his career at HPU, Looney had the chance to travel all over China and to South Korea. During consecutive summers, Looney joined HPU head coach Darren Vorderbruegge and teammates and served as a clinician during basketball camps all over China.

“I’ve been all across China. Every corner of China it feels like,” Looney said.

Looney said he had a chance to work with kids of all ages during the camps.

“It was good to give back,” Looney said. “It was very valuable for me and my teammates. All we know is (the United States) and what we see here. It’s a humbling experience to see other cities, other lifestyles.”

Looney said his work in China also added to his desire to pursue a pro basketball career overseas.

“First year going over, after my sophomore year, I got to play with some guys who play professionally,” Looney said. “I saw myself doing that when I was older.”

The chance to play pro basketball comes after a successful career, and stellar senior season. The 6-foot-2 guard finished fifth in the PacWest averaging 16.9 points per game. He was also second in the conference with 2.2 steals per game, and added 4.0 rebounds per game to his stat line. His performance on the floor for the conference champions led to first-team All-PacWest honors. He was also named the PacWest Defensive Player of the Year.

“I didn’t see the defensive player of the year (award) coming,” Looney said. “It was good to get rewarded, good to be recognize for the hard work I put in.”

Prior to college, Looney said he set a goal to average at least 12 points per game in a season and earn all-conference honors. Looney was able to exceed those goals.

Looney said Bristol is currently recruiting players for the 2017-18 season, and he is one of three the team is seriously considering. He said he feels confident about his chance.

“The coach is really up front, really straight forward, tell me good things,” Looney said.

If signed, Looney would join the team Aug. 25 to prepare for a season of more than 40 games.

“That’s the dream right there,” Looney said of playing professional basketball.

Contact Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman sports editor Jeremiah Bartz at sports@frontiersman.com.