Guys that had to pay their dues in JUCO is nothing new, but only little make it overseas. Those that do make it overseas often have a very steep climb going from lower leagues up to higher leagues. For a walking bucket like Jon’il Fugett (183-PG-1999, college: UCCS, agency: BIG), it hasn´t been any different. However after a tough rookie season where he played in 2 countries for 3 organizations, he actually had some fortune last season which has lessened his grind. He joined the EWE Baskets Oldenburg organization where he had a great season with their farm team helping them move up to the Pro B while practicing daily with the easyCredit BBL team as well as getting BBL experience. That Rickey Paulding is a legend in Oldenburg is no secret. The Missouri native played 15 seasons in Oldenburg leading them to 2 titles and was the leagues identity figure for more than a decade. A monument was constructed outside the EWE Baskets arena just for him. This season Jon´il has received the luxury of having another walking bucket with ex NBA player Chris Clemons as a teammate that he can go head to head every day. Fugett is on his way of making the next step in his basketball career simply having the right motivation with observing that Paulding statue and soaking up as much as possible from Clemons. “Ricky Paulding was a very special player and like most people do with special players they use them as motivation. I’m no different. I want to make a difference over here in Europe just like he did. Chris is extremely talented and is similar to my height and build so I would say that I am learning a lot from him. I guard him everyday in practice and that is the best way to learn what I need to from him is to be in the action”, stressed Jon’il Fugett.

Jon’il Fugett who lists guys like Zion Williamson, Jalen Green, and A.J Green as the toughest players that he has ever faced in his life on the court was born on November 28, 1999 in Denver Colorado. He began his basketball career at George Washington high school and then played a season at Butler Community College averaging 7.6ppg, 3.2rpg, 3.0apg, 1.6spg, FGP: 40.1%, 3PT: 26.9%, FT: 62.7%. 99%. Of all guys I have interviewed have always stated that the grind in JUCO was tough, but one that players wouldn´t have traded the world for. “I will have to say the same thing about my JUCO experience. It taught me a lot and it got me prepared for not only basketball but life in general”, said Jon’il Fugett. His JUCO time was rewarded in that he next played 2 seasons with West Texas A&M University (NCAA2) averaging 10.0ppg, 3.4rpg, 3.0apg, 1.3spg, FGP: 44.2%, 3PT: 36.8%, FT: 71.4% and 12.9ppg, 4.0rpg, 2.3apg, 1.3spg, FGP: 43.4%, 3PT: 35.3%, FT: 77.3%. He won 2 LSC titles. Was one title sweeter than the other? “That’s a really tough question. I’m not sure which title I liked more. I will say that the second ring looked a lot better than the first one though”, smiled Jon’il Fugett. He played a total of 55 games there and scored in double figures in 34 games. He reached the NCAA 2 final in 2021 losing to NW Missouri, but won a 87-86 thriller in the semi-final against LMU where he had a solid 14/4/3 game. That was one of his favorite wins there. “That comeback win was super exciting to watch and my roommate Zach Toussaint came through with the buzzer beater in the end to seal the deal. That was a real crazy ending”, remembered Jon’il Fugett.

The explosive scorer who lists Calvin Fugett (Brother), Jervay Green (cousin), Bodie Hume, Qua Grant, and Lijah Commithieras his 5 best teammates of all-time continued his college career with the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs (NCAA2) averaging 13.8ppg, 4.0rpg, 3.6apg, 1.6spg, FGP: 45.7%, 3PT: 44.1%, FT: 75.0% and 15.3ppg, 4.9rpg, 3.8apg, 1.2spg, FGP: 44.6%, 3PT: 42.4%, FT: 74.6%. He made further steps in his game there as he had a lot bigger role there than at West Texas. “I think the biggest difference in my game from West Texas to UCCS was my role. With West Texas I was more of a role player who had to share the light, but with UCCS it was more of my team and I had to take control more often”, commented Jon’il Fugett. He had many great games at the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs including 28 points against ASU, but there was one memory that really stood out for him. “I am really one that appreciates the post season so my best memory goes to winning the first playoff game for that school in a while. They were in a bit of a drought and I was happy to come through and be able to shift the culture a little”, said Jon’il Fugett. He scored in double figures in 45 of 59 games and had a few 30 + games and is blessed that he received the freedom to play his game from head coach Jeff Culver. “Coach Culver served as a great advisor for me when it was time to get my professional career started as well as getting me prepared mentally to be a professional”, expressed Jon’il Fugett who remembers beating teammate Beni Fungula in 1-1 battles.

The walking bucket who lists LeBron James, Michael Jordan, Stephen Curry, and Kevin Durant on his personal NBA Mount Rushmore came overseas in 2023 and had a whirlwind of a season playing with BC Spartak Pleven (Bulgaria-NBL) averaging 12.8ppg, 3.0rpg, 2.8apg, 1.2spg, 2FGP: 41.7%, 3FGP: 58.3%, FT: 93.8%, in Jan.’24 moved to KK Pelister Sport Bitola (North Macedonia-Prva Liga) averaging 4.5ppg, 1.0rpg, 1.0apg, 1.0spg, in Feb.’24 signed at KK Vardar Skopje (North Macedonia-Prva Liga) averaging 13.7ppg, 3.0rpg, 4.4apg, 1.2spg, FGP: 50.7%, 3PT: 29.9%, FT: 65.5%. He was introduced to 2 new cultures, new coaches and teammates not to mention witnessing the day to day life off the court. It is only logical that he was confronted with a wake up call where he knew instantly that he was far away from home. “My biggest wake up call was getting used to the accent of the coaches. I struggled a lot my whole rookie year to communicate effectively and I just remembered having to focus on that aspect moving forward”, added Jon’il Fugett. In Bulgaria he was teammates a few months with ex UConn and NBA player Rodney Purvis. He was more than blessed for having a veteran like that as a teammate right away. “Rod was a really good dude. He helped me a bunch and we still keep in touch periodically to this day. I am really thankful for guys like that. Helped me figure out my way my rookie year”, stated Jon’il Fugett. He finished with 2 teams in North Macedonia and played well with Vardar. “My rookie season was a wild experience but I feel like I learned a lot in terms of different coaching styles and play styles through out different countries”, stressed Jon’il Fugett.

The Colorado native who lists Lebron James as his GOAT then joined TSG Westerstede (Germany-Regionalliga) in his second pro season averaging (23.3), 4.9rpg, 4.9apg, 2.0spg, FGP: 56.3%, 3PT: 42.6%, FT: 69.0% and also played 3 easyCredit BBL games. He helped TSG Westerstede win the chip beating Braunschweig the farm team of the BBL team run by Dennis Schroeder and then beat Stade in the final. “I think the most special thing about that season was how we always stayed composed and confident even after our loses. We always felt like we were the best team in the league and that contributed to our success”, remembered Jon’il Fugett. He scored in double figures in 21 of 23 games and scored 20 points or more 15 times and 30 points or more 7 times including 41 points against Aaschersleben and 39 points against Bargteheide. He couldn´t be more happy about having found the EWE Baskets. “I feel really good that I found Baskets. I was really getting a little discouraged with the overseas basketball idea. Oldenburg really gave me some stability and allowed me to gain some comfortability. What I enjoy most about this organization is the fans and the passion that everybody has to the program. It creates an atmosphere that has allowed me to build and grow my game”, said Jon’il Fugett. He wouldn´t be the same player that he is now without having the BBL double license that gives him so many added opportunities to help his game. “The double license is one of the main reasons why I decided to join the club. I wanted an opportunity to be around veterans who have been overseas and gain knowledge from them. I have seen my game grow a good amount in the short amount of time I have been a part of this organization”, stated Jon’il Fugett. This season Pro B team had a real refreshing regular season finishing with a 16-10 record after moving up from the Regionalliga. It has a good mix of experience with Fungulla, Galler and Harms and youth with Schroeder and Kohlhoff. “I think the most important thing about the team is that we all enjoy each other which allows us to compliment one another. I feel like the best teams work when everyone is bought into their roles and we all are chasing one goal. I think we have everything we need in terms of young talent and experience to make a deep playoff run in Pro B”, warned Jon’il Fugett. He has certain goals this season as a Pro B player and BBL player. “At this stage of my career I am looking to gain as much knowledge as I can with different reads and go to plays for overseas ball. There is a bit of a difference between hoops in the US and hoops out in Europe so I’m trying to use any opportunity I can to learn from proven vets and take what I can into my own game”, warned Jon’il Fugett. This season he has played 5 BBL games and continues to tear up the Pro B currently averaging 23,3ppg, 4,4rpg, 6,0apg and 1,9 spg. It will be interesting to see how he and his team fair in the playoffs. The first opponent is FC Bayern basketball packed with a lot of youth talent. He is definitely a player with a massive chip on his shoulder as a ex JUCO player. He has won titles and is a walking bucket. The only way is up the basketball ladder for him.