Vrenz Bleijenbergh

Vrenz Bleijenbergh (born 14 October 2000) is a Belgian professional basketball player for Yukatel Merkezefendi of the Basketbol Süper Ligi (BSL).

Vrenz Bleijenbergh
No. 12 – Yukatel Merkezefendi Basket
PositionSmall forward
LeagueBasketbol Süper Ligi
Personal information
Born (2000-10-14) 14 October 2000
Brasschaat, Belgium
NationalityBelgian
Listed height2.08 m (6 ft 10 in)
Listed weight95 kg (209 lb)
Career information
NBA draft2021: undrafted
Playing career2018–present
Career history
2018–2021Antwerp Giants
2021–2022Real Betis
2022Windy City Bulls
2022–2023Oostende
2023–presentYukatel Merkezefendi
Career highlights and awards
Medals
Men's basketball
Representing  Belgium
FIBA U20 European Championship Division B
Bronze medal – third place2019 PortugalTeam
FIBA U18 European Championship Division B
Bronze medal – third place2018 MacedoniaTeam

Early life and youth career

Bleijenbergh started playing basketball by the age of four with his local club Ticino Merksem.[1][2] He played the point guard position even though he was tall enough to be a power forward.[3]

Professional career

Antwerp Giants (2018–2021)

In October 2018, Bleijenbergh signed a long-term professional contract with the Antwerp Giants. He turned down college offers from Arizona, Texas Tech and UCLA, among others.[4] Bleijenbergh left secondary school to focus on basketball.[5] He declared for the 2019 NBA draft before withdrawing.[6] In the 2020–21 season, Bleijenbergh became a regular starter with the Antwerp Giants.[7] He was named Pro Basketball League Rising Star at the end of the season.[8] On 1 June 2021, Bleijenbergh declared for the 2021 NBA draft[9] but went undrafted.[10]

Real Betis (2021–2022)

On 10 August 2021, Bleijenbergh signed with Real Betis of the Spanish Liga ACB.[11] On 7 February 2022, he terminated his contract with Real Betis.[12]

Windy City Bulls (2022)

On 26 February 2022, Bleijenbergh was acquired off waivers by the Windy City Bulls.[13]

Oostende (2022–2023)

On 1 August 2022, he signed with Filou Oostende of the BNXT League.[14] On 17 September, Bleijenbergh scored 12 points in his Oostende debut during the 2022 BNXT Supercup, which the team won over Heroes Den Bosch.[15] He was the 2023 Belgian League Finals MVP.[16]

Long Island Nets

On 12 November 2022, Bleijenbergh's NBA G League rights were traded to the Long Island Nets in exchange for Marcus Zegarowski.[17]

Yukatel Merkezefendi (2023–present)

On 26 July 2023 he signed with Yukatel Merkezefendi of the Basketbol Süper Ligi (BSL).[18]

National team career

Bleijenbergh has represented Belgium at several youth international tournaments. He averaged 13.5 points, eight rebounds, a tournament-high six assists and two blocks per game at the 2018 FIBA U18 European Championship Division B in Macedonia, leading his team to a bronze medal. He was named to the All-Tournament Team.[4] At the 2019 FIBA U20 European Championship Division B in Portugal, Bleijenbergh averaged 9.3 points, 6.6 rebounds, 5.6 assists and 2.6 steals per game. He led Belgium to another bronze medal and earned All-Tournament Team honors.[19]

On 24 February 2019, Bleijenbergh made his Belgian senior national team debut, scoring three points against Iceland during EuroBasket 2022 Pre-Qualifiers.[4]

References
  1. Brys, Jérôme (30 April 2021). "Vrenz Bleijenbergh, la pépite d'Anvers: "Une déception si je ne suis pas drafté en NBA"". La Dernière Heure (in French). Archived from the original on 9 May 2021. Retrieved 7 May 2021.
  2. "18-jarige Vrenz Bleijenbergh geniet van elke minuut in eerste ploeg van Antwerp Giants: "Het gaat plots allemaal wel heel snel voor mij"". Het Nieuwsblad (in Dutch). 26 October 2018. Archived from the original on 8 May 2021. Retrieved 7 May 2021.
  3. Madrid, Alex (5 January 2021). "Vrenz Bleijenbergh: "I'm working to be a first-round pick"". EuroHoops. Archived from the original on 8 May 2021. Retrieved 8 May 2021.
  4. Hein, David (6 January 2020). "Antwerp's Bleijenbergh goes all-in for basketball". Basketball Champions League. Archived from the original on 8 May 2021. Retrieved 7 May 2021.
  5. Van Genechten, Vincent (20 December 2018). "Belgisch supertalent wordt gevolgd door NBA-teams: "Ze vergelijken mij wel eens met Kevin Durant"". Het Nieuwsblad (in Dutch). Archived from the original on 8 May 2021. Retrieved 7 May 2021.
  6. Pfeifer, Ben (10 June 2019). "Vrenz Bleijenbergh withdraws from the 2019 NBA Draft". The Rookie Wire. Archived from the original on 10 May 2021. Retrieved 8 May 2021.
  7. Ceulemans, Patrick; Jacobs, Hans (11 March 2021). "Een jaar later dan gepland jaagt Giants-speler Vrenz Bleijenbergh zijn NBA-droom na: "Ik ben intussen een echte vent"". Het Nieuwsblad (in Dutch). Archived from the original on 8 May 2021. Retrieved 8 May 2021.
  8. "Results". EuroMillions Basketball League. 9 May 2021. Archived from the original on 9 May 2021. Retrieved 1 June 2021.
  9. Bleijenbergh, Vrenz [@Vrenzzz] (1 June 2021). "Declared. 17 years spent with this incredible team @antwerpgiants .. started here when I was 4.. From the youth all the way up to the first team was a unbelievable achievement. Im really thankful to everyone who helped me grow as a player but also as a person. (1/2)" (Tweet). Retrieved 1 June 2021 – via Twitter.
  10. "Vrenz Bleijenbergh tweets congratulations to Thunder guard Vit Krejci". okcthunderwire.usatoday.com. Archived from the original on 30 September 2021. Retrieved 30 September 2021. Instead, Bleijenbergh went undrafted and joined Real Betis of the Spanish Liga ACB, the same league Krejci played in before being drafted in 2020.
  11. "Real Betis signs Vrenz Bleijenbergh". Sportando. 10 August 2021. Archived from the original on 11 August 2021. Retrieved 11 August 2021.
  12. "Vrenz Bleijenbergh rescinde con el Betis". mundodeportivo.com. 7 February 2022. Archived from the original on 7 February 2022. Retrieved 7 February 2022.
  13. "2021-22 NBA G League Transactions". gleague.nba.com. 26 February 2022. Archived from the original on 6 March 2021. Retrieved 26 February 2022.
  14. "Landskampioen Oostende haalt Vrenz Bleijenbergh weer naar België". sporza.be (in Dutch). 1 August 2022. Retrieved 3 August 2022.
  15. "Filou Oostende conquers second BNXT Supercup". BNXT League. 17 September 2022. Retrieved 19 September 2022.
  16. "Oostende blijft dominant met 12e titel: "Niemand geloofde in ons"". sporza.be (in Dutch). 28 May 2023. Retrieved 28 May 2023.
  17. "2022-23 NBA G League Transactions". gleague.nba.com. 12 November 2022. Retrieved 12 November 2022.
  18. @merkezefendigsk (26 July 2023). "Şehrin Efendileri'ne hoş geldin Vrenz Bleijenbergh" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  19. "Antwerp-speler Vrenz Bleijenbergh in All-Tournament Team op EK U20". Het Nieuwsblad (in Dutch). 22 July 2019. Archived from the original on 10 May 2021. Retrieved 8 May 2021.
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