Nicolas Lake Scott Minnerath (born August 11, 1988) is an American professional
basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams, most commonly of five players each, opposing one another on a rectangular court, compete with the primary objective of shooting a basketball (approximately in diameter) through the defender's h ...
player for the
Shabab Al Ahli
Shabab Al Ahli, is an Emirati professional basketball team located in Dubai.
The team has competed in both the domestic UAE National Basketball League as well as the international FIBA Asia Champions Cup.
Achievements
* UAE National League ch ...
of the
UAE National Basketball League
The UAE National Basketball League is the top professional basketball league in the United Arab Emirates.
It was founded in 2013.college basketball
In United States colleges, top-tier basketball is governed by collegiate athletic bodies including National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), the United States Collegiate Athleti ...
University of Detroit Mercy
The University of Detroit Mercy is a private Roman Catholic university in Detroit, Michigan. It is sponsored by both the Society of Jesus (Jesuits) and the Sisters of Mercy. The university was founded in 1877 and is the largest Catholic univers ...
.
High school career
Minnerath attended
Nauset Regional High School
Nauset Regional High School is an NEASC accredited high school located in Eastham, Massachusetts, United States and a part of Nauset Public Schools. Nauset is inside the Cape Cod National Seashore, making it the only high school on the East Co ...
in North Eastham, Massachusetts. After playing sparingly as a junior, just two games into his senior year, he broke his leg and missed the rest of the season.
College career
In his freshman season at Jackson Community College, Minnerath finished runner-up in the Western Conference's Player of the Year award after averaging 22.8 points and 9.1 rebounds, including setting the school record with 42 points in a game against Kirkland C.C. Minnerath made 15 2-pointers and 4 3-pointers in the victory.
In his sophomore season, he finished 19th in the nation in points per game (21.0), 16th in free throw percentage (82%) and 15th in blocks per game (2.24). A 1,000-point scorer at the JUCO level, he also earned back-to-back Michigan Community College Athletic Association (MCCAA) All-Region honors as well as first team All-Western Conference accolades. He capped off an impressive two-year career at Jackson by being named a NJCAA Division II third team All-American.
In 2010, he transferred to Detroit Mercy where he started every game in his first year, finishing the 2010–11 season with a hot stretch, as he had six 20-point games starting on January 1, 2011. In 33 games, he averaged 11.2 points and 4.8 rebounds in 27.6 minutes per game.
Minnerath redshirted his senior year after playing just five games before a knee injury ended his season. In those five games, he averaged 12.0 points and 4.0 rebounds in 23.2 minutes per game.
In his redshirted senior season, he was named to the 2013 All-
Horizon League
The Horizon League is an 11-school collegiate athletic conference in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I, whose members are located in and near the Great Lakes region.
The Horizon League founded in 1979 as the Midw ...
first team. He was also named to the NABC District 12 second team and was one of 64 outgoing seniors to be invited to the 2013 Portsmouth Invitational Tournament. In 33 games, he averaged 14.6 points, 5.9 rebounds and 1.0 assists in 29.6 minutes per game.
Professional career
Obradoiro (2013–14)
After going undrafted in the 2013 NBA draft, Minnerath joined the Sacramento Kings for the
2013 NBA Summer League
The 2013 NBA Summer League is a pro basketball league run by the NBA just after the 2013 NBA draft. It gives newly drafted players a chance to test their skills against each other, and to give them a feel for professional basketball. All 30 NBA ...
. On August 30, 2013, he signed with
Obradoiro CAB
Obradoiro Clube de Amigos do Baloncesto (lit, Obradoiro Friends of Basketball Club), also known as Monbus Obradoiro for sponsorship reasons, is a professional basketball team based in Santiago de Compostela, Galicia. They currently compete in th ...
of Spain for the 2013–14 season. On January 13, 2014, he parted ways with Obradoiro. In 15 games, he averaged 6.0 points, 2.2 rebounds and 0.2 assists per game.
Le Havre (2014)
On January 14, 2014, Minnerath signed with
STB Le Havre
Saint Thomas Basket Le Havre or simply STB Le Havre is a basketball club based in city of Le Havre, France that plays in the Pro B division of the Ligue Nationale de Basket (LNB). Their home arena is Dock Océane.Allen Mack Jr. JPMorgan
*
R ...
of France for the rest of the season. In 15 games, he averaged 11.9 points, 2.1 rebounds and 1.0 assists per game.
Cholet Basket (2014–15)
In July 2014, Minnerath joined the Brooklyn Nets for the
2014 NBA Summer League
The 2014 NBA Summer League consists of two pro basketball leagues organized by the NBA and the Orlando Magic just after the 2014 NBA Draft. Ten teams took part in the week-long summer league at the Amway Center in Orlando, Florida, from July 5 t ...
. On July 25, 2014, he signed with
Cholet Basket
Cholet Basket is a professional basketball club that is based in Cholet, France. The club plays in the French League. Their home arena is La Meilleraie. Established in 1975, Cholet won its first French championship in the 2009–10 season. In 1 ...
for the 2014–15 season. In 34 games, he averaged 13.6 points, 4.1 rebounds and 0.6 assists per game.
Cleveland Cavaliers / Canton Charge (2015–16)
On September 28, 2015, Minnerath signed with the Cleveland Cavaliers. However, he was later waived by the Cavaliers on October 22 after appearing in three preseason games. On October 30, he was acquired by the
Canton Charge
The Cleveland Charge are an American professional basketball team in the NBA G League based in Cleveland, Ohio, and are affiliated with the Cleveland Cavaliers. The team plays its home games at the Wolstein Center in downtown Cleveland.
The fr ...
of the NBA Development League as an affiliate player of the Cavaliers. On November 14, he made his debut for the Charge in a 106–99 loss to the
Maine Red Claws
The Maine Celtics (formerly the Maine Red Claws) are an American professional basketball team in the NBA G League based in Portland, Maine, and are affiliated with the Boston Celtics. The Maine Celtics play their home games at the Portland Expo B ...
, recording 17 points, 10 rebounds and one block in 38 minutes. At the season's end, he was named to the All-NBA D-League Second Team after playing in 49 games and averaging 18.5 points on .508 shooting and 6.9 rebounds in 29.9 minutes per game, helping the Charge tie a franchise record 31 wins.
Avtodor Saratov (2016–17)
On July 15, 2016, Minnerath signed with the Russian team Avtodor Saratov. Minnerath had an outstanding scoring season, as he was crowned the
VTB United League
VTB United League (russian: Единая Лига ВТБ) is an international professional men's club basketball league that was founded in 2008. It is made up of mostly Russian clubs, along with one each from Belarus and Kazakhstan. Since 2013, it ...
Basketball Champions League
The Basketball Champions League (BCL) is an annual professional basketball competition for European clubs, organised by FIBA. It is the top-level competition organised by FIBA Europe, therefore the champion participates in the FIBA Intercont ...
's 2016–17 season, with an average of 20.3 points per game.
Shanghai Sharks (2017–18)
On July 18, 2017, Minnerath signed with the
Shanghai Sharks
The Shanghai Sharks () are a Chinese Basketball Association team based in Shanghai.
It is best known outside China as the club that developed Yao Ming before he entered the National Basketball Association. With Yao on the team, the Sharks made t ...
of the
Chinese Basketball Association
The Chinese Basketball Association (), often abbreviated as the CBA, is the first-tier professional men's basketball league in China.
The league is commonly known by fans as the CBA, and this acronym is even used in Chinese on a regular basis ...
.
Minnerath with Jimmer Fredette (other American import) led the Sharks to the playoffs. They were defeated by the Beijing Ducks in the first round.
Minnerath was one of top two players in points scored per minute. He averaged 27.9 points in 29 minutes of play. He shot .490 from 2 point area, an eye popping 46% from three, and .873 from the line. Minnerath also led team in rebounds with 8.5 per game.
Very successful first year in China for Minnerath.
Xinjiang Flying Tigers (2018–present)
On November 15, 2018, Minnerath was reported to have signed with
Xinjiang Flying Tigers
The Xinjiang Guanghui Flying Tigers () is a professional basketball team based in Ürümqi, Xinjiang, China. The team play its home games at the Hongshan Arena, which has a capacity for 3,800 spectators. The club joined the Chinese Basketball ...
.
Minnerath left Xinjiang-Flying-Tigers of the CBA in December of his own choice to play in BSN in Puerto Rico. This allowed him to be closer to his new child in Florida.
Leones de Ponce (2019-present)
On January 12, 2019, Minnerath was reported to have signed with Leones de Poncealoncesto Superior National(BSN). Minnerath was a first team All-Star for the BSN. He also was the league's leading scorer with an average of 21.9 points per game. On July 16, 2019 he officially signed with the Seoul Samsung Thunders of the KBL (Korean Basketball League).
Seoul Samsung Thunders (2019-2020)
Minnerath signed with
Seoul Samsung Thunders
Seoul Samsung Thunders ( ko, 서울 삼성 썬더스) is a professional basketball team, competing in the Korean Basketball League. Ever since the club was founded in 1978, they have been associated with Samsung Electronics. Initially based in ...
of the Korean Basketball League (KBL) last July 16, 2019. He quickly became one of best new players in the competitive league. Minnerath led team with averaging 21 points and 6 rebounds per game. He was second leading scorer in the league. The world wide pandemic covid-19 ended the league about a month early. Minnerath played all teams 43 games. He was named player of week a few times and top 5 players in round 4 . Minnerath shot 61% from the 2 point floor and 84% from the line. Unable to finish season there were no playoffs this year. Korea, like all other Basketball was not able to finish their seasons. Korea was able to play most of their regular season games compared to most leagues. Minnerath had another great year playing in the new country of Korea for him. Once again showing he is one of the game's most high caliber offensive players. Korean League called the season on March 27, 2020.
Seoul SK Knights (2020-2021)
Minnerath signed with
Seoul SK Knights
The Seoul SK Knights ( ko, 서울 SK 나이츠) is a professional basketball club in the Korean Basketball League. The club was originally founded by Jinro Group in 1997 as Cheongju Jinro McCass. Before the official launch of the basketball clu ...
of the Korean Basketball League (KBL) on June 8, 2020. He averaged 13.4 points and 4.3 rebounds per game. Minnerath was Korean Basketball league leader with points per minute (PPM). He led the league averaging .9 points per minute played (13.4 points in 15.0 minutes played).
Shabab Al Ahli (2021-Present)
On September 6, 2021, Minnerath signed with
Shabab Al Ahli
Shabab Al Ahli, is an Emirati professional basketball team located in Dubai.
The team has competed in both the domestic UAE National Basketball League as well as the international FIBA Asia Champions Cup.
Achievements
* UAE National League ch ...