The Hofstra Men’s Basketball team’s ‘most outstanding player’ will begin his professional career across the Atlantic Ocean. Desure Buie has signed with the Dutch Basketball League’s ZZ Leiden, the club announced on Thursday, July 30th.
Buie led the Hofstra Pride scoring 618 points, sinking 75 three-pointers, and forcing 69 steals this past season. He topped the Colonial Athletic Association dishing 200 assists and ranked among the top five players in minutes played, steals, and three-point percentage.
The guard wrapped up his collegiate career leading Hofstra to its first-ever CAA Championship victory. He was named the conference’s Most Outstanding Player after leading the Pride with 20 points in the title game.
“We are so thrilled for Desure as he embarks on his professional career,” Hofstra Men’s Basketball head coach Joe Mihalich said. “Desure’s career at Hofstra is legendary and we couldn’t be happier that he is beginning the next phase of his basketball journey with such a strong team with incredible leadership and success. He will be an asset to ZZ Leiden and we look forward to watching his outstanding professional career develop.”
No one played in more games for the Pride than Buie, competing in a program-high 141 across five seasons. The guard also ranks fourth in program history with 548 assists and sixth forcing 203 steals.
The Pride alum earned many awards from the CAA and basketball analysts. He was the 2018-19 CAA Defensive Player of the Year and was an all-conference team selection. Other awards include the United States Basketball Writers Association All-District, Lou Henson All-America, and All-Met First Team honors.
Buie was named to the New York State Class AA First Team as a letterwinner at Wings Academy High School. The Bronx, N.Y. native led all New York City high school athletes in assists as a sophomore.
ZZ Leiden plays in the league’s first division. The club won the national title three times and claimed the runner-up sport six times in its history. The team has also won the Dutch Cup three times and the Supercup twice, most recently hoisting the Cup in 2019.
The club finished eighth in the league averaging over 84 points per game in the 2019-20 season. However, the team led the league after players earned double-doubles 11 times.
ZZ Leiden is led by head coach Geert Hammink, a Louisiana State University alum and former teammate of NBA Hall of Famer Shaquille O’Neal.
“Desure fits perfectly into the concept we have in mind and I am sure that the Leiden audience will enjoy his playing and leadership,” Hammink said in a press release.
