BEAUMONT, Texas – Former Lamar University Cardinal standouts T.J. Atwood and Nick Garth have signed contracts to play professional basketball oversees. Atwood (2016-20) signed with the Svendborg Rabbits from Denmark, while Garth (2015-19) will be playing for Omonia BC from Cyprus.
 
Atwood was a four-year letterwinner who closed out his career as a second-team All-Southland Conference selection this past season. The Beaumont, Texas native, ranked among the league leaders averaging nearly 17 points and seven rebounds per contest. Despite injuries that robbed him of the majority of his junior season, Atwood finished his career with 898 points (9.8 ppg), 413 rebounds (4.5 rpg), 121 assists (1.3 apg) and 92 steals (1.0 pg).
 
"Their head coach and general manager had reached out to me through my agent and we had several good conversations," said Atwood. "Coming out of college playing four years it's tough enough trying to get a job, but corona made it that much tougher. I've put in a lot of hard work and dedication to this sport and I'm blessed to have this opportunity. My family put a lot of faith in me since the first time I picked up a ball. I would love to be able to inspire other kids from the area – if you keep doing the right things, putting in hard work and trusting yourself good things will happen."
 
Garth was a three-time All-Southland selection who concluded his career as the school's all-time leading three-point shooter (320). A seven-time SLC Player of the Week selection, Garth closed his career by earning first-team all-conference honors. The Houston, Texas native finished his career as the school's fifth all-time leading scorer (1,758 points/13.8 ppg) while shooting 38 percent from long range. Garth was also one of the Southland's more accurate free throw shooters during his career converting nearly 82 percent of his attempts. Garth remains the only Cardinal to record 300 three-pointers during his career.
 
"I'm very excited about this opportunity," said Garth. "They heard about me during my senior year and wanted to sign me then but I wasn't ready. I felt it was more important at the time to get my schoolwork in order. It was hard to sign since I've been out of the sport for a year. I've always wanted to play professionally and to be honest, I've always wanted to play oversees and experience new cultures. This is a great opportunity for me."
 
Svendborg is a Danish professional team which plays in the Basketligaen, which is the top division of basketball in Denmark. The team won gold during the 2009-10 season, and posted runner-up finishes in 2007-09 and 2010-13. The Rabbits also won the Danish Cup tournament in 2007, 2011, 2013 and competed in the 2008-09 FIBA EuroChallenge.
 
Omonia B.C. is a professional basketball club based in Nicosia, Cyprus. The club competes in the Cyprus Basketball Division 2. The club began competing back in 1948. Omonia recorded three first-place finishes in their league during the 90s with two runner-up finishes and has posted three Cyprus Basketball Division B titles (1988-89, 1993-94 and 1999-00).
 
Both players will leave in August to start preseason camp. The seasons for both teams will take place at roughly the same time – September – March.