Sayeed Pridgett (born May 22, 1998) is an American-born naturalized Cambodian professional basketball player for CSM Oradea of the Liga Națională. He played college basketball for the Montana Grizzlies.

Sayeed Pridgett
Pridgett in 2023
No. 4 – CSM Oradea
PositionShooting guard / Small forward
LeagueLiga Națională
Personal information
Born (1998-05-22) May 22, 1998 (age 26)
Oakland, California, U.S.
NationalityAmerican / Cambodian
Listed height6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)
Listed weight220 lb (100 kg)
Career information
High schoolEl Cerrito
(El Cerrito, California)
CollegeMontana (2016–2020)
NBA draft2020: undrafted
Playing career2020–present
Career history
2020–2021Ionikos Nikaias
2022Apollon Limassol
2022–2023Karditsa
2023–2024Rapid București
2024–presentCSM Oradea
Career highlights and awards
  • 2× First-team All-Big Sky (2019, 2020)
Medals
Men's basketball
Representing  Cambodia
Southeast Asian Games
Gold medal – first place 2023 Cambodia 3x3
Silver medal – second place 2023 Cambodia 5x5

High school career

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Pridgett attended El Cerrito High School in El Cerrito, California. He was ruled ineligible for part of his first season for academic reasons.[1] He averaged 17 points, 6.5 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game as a junior.[2] Pridgett played for the Oakland Rebels on the Amateur Athletic Union circuit.[3] A three-star recruit, he committed to play college basketball for Montana over offers from Oregon State, Creighton and Saint Mary's, among others.[4][5]

College career

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Pridgett primarily came off the bench in his first two years at Montana.[3] As a sophomore, he averaged 8.4 points, 4.3 rebounds and 1.3 assists per game.[6] In his junior season, he averaged 15.1 points, 4.9 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 1.3 steals per game, and was named to the First Team All-Big Sky.[7] As a senior, Pridgett was placed in a leading role, ranking first on the team in several statistical categories.[8] On January 25, 2020, Pridgett scored a career-high 33 points and grabbed eight rebounds in an 87-85 overtime loss to Weber State.[9] He averaged 19.8 points, 7.2 rebounds, 3.9 assists and 1.5 steals per game, earning First Team All-Big Sky honors for the second straight year.[10] He finished his career with the fourth-most points in program history, and the most points by a Montana player since Larry Krystkowiak (1982–86).[11]

Professional career

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Ionikos Nikaias (2020–2021)

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On September 15, 2020, Pridgett signed his first professional contract with Ionikos Nikaias of the Greek Basket League.[12] He helped the team make the playoffs after hitting a basket with 4.4 seconds remaining in an 86-85 overtime win against Kolossos Rodou.[13]

Birmingham Squadron (2021)

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On October 25, 2021, Pridgett joined the Birmingham Squadron after a successful tryout.[14] He was waived on November 15.[15]

Apollon Limassol (2021–2022)

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Pridgett spent the rest of the 2021–2022 season with Apollon Limassol in Cyprus.

Karditsa (2022–2023)

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On August 23, 2022, Pridgett returned to Greece, signing with the newly promoted Karditsa. In 20 league games, he averaged 12.9 points, 5 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 1.5 steals in 28 minutes per contest.

CSM Oradea (2024–present)

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On August 6, 2024, Pridgett signed with CSM Oradea of the Liga Națională.[16]

National team

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Pridgett represented Cambodia at the 2023 Southeast Asian Games in 3x3 basketball helping win a gold medal for the host country.[17]

References

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  1. ^ Hansen, Jordan (March 11, 2020). "'Stay the course': How Sayeed Pridgett became an all-time Montana great". 406 Sports. Retrieved September 23, 2020.
  2. ^ Murray, Chris (August 3, 2015). "Wolf Pack hoops hosts two high-end Bay Area natives". Reno Gazette-Journal. Retrieved September 23, 2020.
  3. ^ a b Junkert, Glenn (March 4, 2018). "Pridgett brings energy, fire to Grizzlies". University of Montana Athletics. Montana Sports Information. Retrieved September 23, 2020.
  4. ^ Sample, Kyle (October 12, 2015). "Washington forward chooses to play for Montana". Missoulian. Retrieved September 23, 2020.
  5. ^ Nuanez, Colter (March 13, 2020). "Won't Back Down: Pridgett's consistent evolution trademarks memorable Griz career". Skyline Sports. Retrieved September 23, 2020.
  6. ^ "Montana's Pridgett wins second consecutive Big Sky honor, third overall". Billings Gazette. February 19, 2019. Retrieved September 24, 2020.
  7. ^ Hansen, Jordan (October 16, 2019). "Accolade adds drive: Montana's Sayeed Pridgett says all-league honor provides added incentive". 406 Sports. Retrieved September 23, 2020.
  8. ^ Hansen, Jordan (November 26, 2019). "'Phenomenal': Senior guard Sayeed Pridgett leading Montana hoops in just about everything". Billings Gazette. Retrieved September 23, 2020.
  9. ^ "Weber State beats Big Sky-leader Montana 87-85 in OT". ESPN. Associated Press. January 25, 2020. Retrieved September 24, 2020.
  10. ^ Hansen, Kyle (March 11, 2020). "Patience helps Sayeed Pridgett rewrite all-time scoring list as career winds down". Montana Sports. Retrieved September 23, 2020.
  11. ^ "Montana Grizzlies' Sayeed Pridgett adds all-district honors". Montana Sports. University of Montana. March 23, 2020. Retrieved September 23, 2020.
  12. ^ Mammides, Chris (September 15, 2020). "Ionikos Nikaias tab rookie Sayeed Pridgett in his first year in pro basketball". Eurobasket.com. Retrieved September 23, 2020.
  13. ^ Georgakopoulos, George (April 28, 2021). "Pridgett sends Ionikos to the Basket League playoffs". Ekathimerini.com. Retrieved October 27, 2021.
  14. ^ "Birmingham Squadron finalize roster for team's first training camp in Birmingham". NBA.com. October 25, 2021. Retrieved November 2, 2021.
  15. ^ "Squadron Acquire Zach Hankins". NBA.com. November 15, 2021. Retrieved November 19, 2021.
  16. ^ "Sayeed Pridgett joins Oradea". Asiabasket. August 6, 2024. Retrieved August 6, 2024.
  17. ^ Terrado, Reuben (6 May 2023). "Cambodia has three naturalized players in 3x3. Will they see action in 5-on-5?". Sports Interactive Network Philippines. Retrieved 7 May 2023.
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