Nathan Kuta (Kuta Niayingwanda) (born 28 April 2000) is a Belgian-Dutch basketball player who last played for Spirou of the BNXT League. He also plays for the Netherlands. Standing at 204 cm (6 ft 8+1⁄2 in),[1] Kuta plays as power forward.[1]
 Nathan Kuta (99) with The Netherlands national team against Spain | |||||||||||||||
| Free Agent | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Position | Power forward | ||||||||||||||
| Personal information | |||||||||||||||
| Born | 28 April 2000 | ||||||||||||||
| Nationality | Dutch / Belgian | ||||||||||||||
| Listed height | 2.05 m (6 ft 9 in) | ||||||||||||||
| Listed weight | 115 kg (254 lb) | ||||||||||||||
| Career information | |||||||||||||||
| Playing career | 2018–present | ||||||||||||||
| Career history | |||||||||||||||
| 2018–2020 | Limburg United | ||||||||||||||
| 2020–2021 | Okapi Aalst | ||||||||||||||
| 2021–2024 | Spirou | ||||||||||||||
Medals
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Early career
editKuta was born in the Netherlands. When he was eleven years old, he moved with his family to Belgium. He started in Bree Basket in 2013 and the next year, he went to Cuva Houthalen. He played in U16, U18 and senior basketball with Cuva Houthalen, in the Belgian second division.
Professional career
editIn August 2018, Kuta signed a one-year contract with Limburg United of the Belgian Pro Basketball League.[2]
On 12 June 2020, Kuta signed with Okapi Aalst.[3]
On 19 July 2021, Kuta signed a three-year contract with Spirou.[4]
National team career
editAs a citizen of both Belgium and the Netherlands, Kuta had the option to choose either national team. Stating that he felt "that Belgium did not really believe in him", he chose the Netherlands.[5] With the Under-18 team, Kuta won the 2018 FIBA Europe Under-18 Championship Division B. After the tournament, Kuta was named the most valuable player of the tournament after averaging 14.6 points and 10.9 rebounds per game.[6]
On 16 November 2018, Kuta was selected by head coach Toon van Helfteren to be a part of the Netherlands senior team for the first time.[7]
Honors
edit- Netherlands Under-18
- 2018 FIBA Europe Under-18 Championship Division B:
Gold
- 2018 FIBA Europe Under-18 Championship Division B MVP
- 2018 FIBA Europe Under-18 Championship Division B All-Tournament Team
References
edit- ^ a b "Nathan KUTA at the FIBA U18 European Championship Division B 2018". FIBA.basketball. 19 April 2018. Retrieved 15 September 2018.
- ^ "Nathan Kuta". Hubo Limburg United. Retrieved 14 September 2018.
- ^ "Okapi Aalst plukt jong talent Nathan Kuta weg bij Limburg United". sporza.be. 12 June 2020. Retrieved 13 June 2020.
- ^ "NATHAN KUTA S'ENGAGE POUR 3 SAISONS AVEC LE SPIROU". Spirou Basket (in French). 19 July 2021. Retrieved 19 July 2021.
- ^ Johnny Peeters (7 August 2018). "De Belgen geloofden niet echt in mij". Het Nieuwsblad Mobile (in Dutch). Retrieved 14 September 2018.
- ^ van Rijn, Nienke (7 August 2018). "One on One with the U18 European B Championship MVP: Nathan Kuta". We Are Basket. Retrieved 14 September 2018.
- ^ "Vier debutanten voor Orange Lions". Basketballleague.nl (in Dutch). 16 November 2018. Retrieved 17 November 2018.