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Press releaseKARŞIYAKA, TURKEY -- Former Utah Valley University basketball standout Ryan Toolson is off to a good start in his professional debut in Turkey.
Toolson is averaging 19.3 points through the first six games for Pinar Karşiyaka (4-2) of the Turkish Basketball League.
In last Thursday's game on the road against Fenerbahce Ulker, Toolson poured in 29 points, with five three-pointers, to lead his club to an 88-76 upset win. Fenerbahce is considered to be one of the top teams in Europe. In an earlier game against Oyak Renault on Oct. 24, Toolson went 8-for-10 from beyond the arc on his way to 32 points.
For the year, Toolson is shooting 48.5 percent from the field, 51.4 percent from three-point range, and 96.4 percent from the free throw line.
Toolson is playing alongside teammate David Holston, who was formerly with Chicago State of the Great West Conference. Holston is averaging 12.8 points for Karşiyaka.
Toolson and Holston waged a number of battles against each other in the collegiate ranks. The most memorable of those was in their Jan. 30, 2009, meeting in Chicago when Toolson fired in a school-record 63 points to lead UVU to a 123-121 quadruple-overtime victory. Holston had 41 points for Chicago State in the loss.
(Courtesy Utah Valley University)
