FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – David Dennis' lifelong dream has officially come to fruition, as the former Nova Southeastern All-American point guard has inked a one-year deal with wiha Panthers Schwenningen in Basketball Bundesliga ProA, Germany's second-highest league.
Dennis is the second Shark in as many years to sign a professional contract after forward Gerard Tarin latched on with the Sioux Falls Skyforce, the NBA G-League affiliate of the Miami Heat, last November.
"It's a blessing to be able to finally accomplish a dream that I've strived to reach since I first touched a ball," said Dennis. "I can't thank my family, friends, and NSU enough for the help and support to get me to this point. Germany is a great basketball country, and I'm excited to get started. Not many rookies make this strong of a league, and I'm just ready to get there, compete, and help my team win!"
During his two-year career with the Sharks, Dennis helped lead a complete culture overhaul throughout the Nova Southeastern program. Upon his arrival from West Liberty alongside head coach Jim Crutchfield, the Sharks recorded just six wins in 2016-17, yet rattled off a combined 46-14 mark the previous two seasons including a program-best 29-4 campaign in 2018-19. As a senior, the Canal Winchester, Ohio native earned NCAA South Region Tournament MVP following a 28-point performance in the title game that sent Nova Southeastern to its very first Elite Eight.
In 60 career games as a Shark, Dennis averaged 17.3 points, 5.5 rebounds, 6.3 assists, and 3.1 steals per contest. On top of being selected as an All-American this past spring, he was twice named to the Bevo Francis Top 50 Watch List, and was a repeat selection as a D2CCA All-South Region and First Team All-Sunshine State Conference member. Dennis became only the 15th Shark to surpass the 1,000-point mark, and closed his collegiate career as one of only two players in NCAA history, across all divisions, with at least 1,800 career points, 600 career rebounds, 700 career assists, and 300 career steals.
"It's truly been my pleasure to see David develop both as a player and as a person over the past four years," said Crutchfield. "The NSU basketball program has undergone change the past two years, and David has been a huge part of that both on and off the floor.
"David has been an extension of me on the floor. Throughout his four-year career, he has made my job easier. He will be missed both as a player and personally, but I am excited for him as he continues to play basketball professionally. It will be yet another great adventure for him."
