The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
Ertel Signs With Lahti Basketball in Top Finnish League
5/20/2022 1:56:00 PM | Men's Basketball
BIRMINGHAM – Michael Ertel, a two-time Conference USA All-Tournament Team honoree and 2022 UAB graduate, signed a professional contract with Finland's Lahti Basketball on Friday afternoon. The Finnish club is in the Korisliiga, the highest tier league in Finland.
Ertel played in 34 games with 13 starts for the Blazers this past season, earning a spot in the starting lineup in nine of UAB's final 10 games. The guard from Indianapolis, Indiana, played a pivotal role for the Blazers during their run to the Conference USA Tournament title, scoring 16 points against Florida Atlantic, 26 points against Middle Tennessee and 15 points against LA Tech as UAB captured its sixth conference tournament title in program history.
The former Blazer ranked third on the UAB roster this past season with 10.4 points per game, scoring 13 or more points in UAB's final six games. Ertel surpassed 2,000 points for his college basketball career with nine points and three steals in UAB's win at UTSA on Feb. 24.
In his first season with the Blazers in 2020-21, Ertel played in 29 games, making 25 starts. He led UAB with 13.2 points per game and ranked 11th in Conference USA with 383 total points, earning a spot on the Conference USA All-Tournament Team in his first trip to Frisco.
"I'm excited to be joining Lahti in Finland to start my professional career," Ertel said. "With that being said, I am extremely grateful for my time in Birmingham and look forward to following the team in the future.
"No matter where my future leads me, I will always be a Blazer!"
Off the court, Ertel earned a spot on the 2022 Conference USA Men's Basketball All-Academic Team in March. He became the first Blazer to earn C-USA All-Academic Team honors since 2016, holding a 3.87 GPA as he pursued a master's degree in communication management.
MEN'S BASKETBALL TICKET INFORMATION
UAB men's basketball season-ticket packages for the 2022-23 season are on sale now and start for as low as $110 in Blaze's Corner. The public season-ticket price is set at $275, while season tickets for UAB employees and alumni are available for $245 per seat. For more information on men's basketball season tickets, please fill out the season ticket request form by clicking here.
Ertel played in 34 games with 13 starts for the Blazers this past season, earning a spot in the starting lineup in nine of UAB's final 10 games. The guard from Indianapolis, Indiana, played a pivotal role for the Blazers during their run to the Conference USA Tournament title, scoring 16 points against Florida Atlantic, 26 points against Middle Tennessee and 15 points against LA Tech as UAB captured its sixth conference tournament title in program history.
The former Blazer ranked third on the UAB roster this past season with 10.4 points per game, scoring 13 or more points in UAB's final six games. Ertel surpassed 2,000 points for his college basketball career with nine points and three steals in UAB's win at UTSA on Feb. 24.
In his first season with the Blazers in 2020-21, Ertel played in 29 games, making 25 starts. He led UAB with 13.2 points per game and ranked 11th in Conference USA with 383 total points, earning a spot on the Conference USA All-Tournament Team in his first trip to Frisco.
"I'm excited to be joining Lahti in Finland to start my professional career," Ertel said. "With that being said, I am extremely grateful for my time in Birmingham and look forward to following the team in the future.
"No matter where my future leads me, I will always be a Blazer!"
Off the court, Ertel earned a spot on the 2022 Conference USA Men's Basketball All-Academic Team in March. He became the first Blazer to earn C-USA All-Academic Team honors since 2016, holding a 3.87 GPA as he pursued a master's degree in communication management.
MEN'S BASKETBALL TICKET INFORMATION
UAB men's basketball season-ticket packages for the 2022-23 season are on sale now and start for as low as $110 in Blaze's Corner. The public season-ticket price is set at $275, while season tickets for UAB employees and alumni are available for $245 per seat. For more information on men's basketball season tickets, please fill out the season ticket request form by clicking here.
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