FC Bayern Basketball have added forward Josh Huestis to their roster for the upcoming season. The 27-year-old American will be able to bring his experience from 76 total NBA matches with the Oklahoma City Thunder with him to the German champions. Huestis was drafted 29th overall by the Thunder in 2014. During the 2017/18 season, he became a part of their fixed rotation, averaging 14 minutes per game and appearing in 69 NBA games. Last season, he played for the Austin Spurs in the NBA’s G League.
“I’ve been watching Josh since he was in college. He’s a modern combo-forward and will bring us a lot of energy and versatility,” Bayern sporting director Daniele Baiesi said about the new signing. “Josh is a smart player and is very mature. His way of playing is a perfect fit for the players that are already with us and for those who are still to join us. We are very pleased that he’s made the decision to continue his career with us.”
A team player from Montana
Standing 2.01 m tall, this will be Josh Huestis’ first stint in Europe. He is known as being strong on defense as well as a team player who is able to feature offensively as either a power forward or small forward. “I am very excited to have the opportunity to have this new experience in a new country and to be able to come to Munich,” he said. “I know that FC Bayern are one of the most successful clubs around. My aim has always been to play at the highest level possible and to win titles. The EuroLeague is unbelievably competitive—the stakes are high every night and it attracts many good players from the NBA, like Derrick (Williams) last season.” Speaking about himself, Huestis said “My strengths are on defense, and I’m the type of guy to give my all for the team. That’s exactly what I want to do here.”
Joshua “Josh” Sutton Huestis played college ball for Stanford University in California, where he averaged 7.5 points, 6.2 rebounds and 1.4 blocks per game, becoming the best shot-blocker in Cardinal’s history over his four years there. Despite being selected by the Thunder in the 2014 NBA draft, he made his professional debut in the G League for their minor league affiliate, the Oklahoma City Blue. He played for the Blue until 2017, averaging 14.6 points (shooting 44.5 per cent from the field), 6.2 rebounds and 1.7 blocks. He made his debut for the Thunder in March 2016, appearing in 69 NBA games during the 2017/18 season (14.2 MPG, 2.3 PPG).
During summer 2018, Huestis was supposed to take part in pre-season with five-time NBA champions San Antonio, but a foot injury during training sidelined him for several months. In the winter, he joined San Antonio’s minor league affiliate in Austin, making a further 28 G League appearances for the Texans (8.2 PPG).
Currently, Huestis is still in his home state of Montana where he is running his own youth basketball camp before heading to Las Vegas to train ahead of making the trip to Munich. Huestis has been married for just over two years, saying “we will celebrate our second anniversary in Munich this time.”
JOSH HUESTIS (born 19th December 1991/Webster, Texas/USA)
Small Forward, Power Forward – 2,01 m – 104 kg
until 2010: Charles M. Russell High School (Great Falls, Montana)
2010 – 2014: Stanford University (NCAA)
2014 – 2017: Oklahoma City Blue (NBA G League),
2015 – 2018: Oklahoma City Thunder (NBA)
2018 – 2019: Austin Spurs (NBA G League)
AWARDS
Pac-12 All-Defensive Team 2013 and 2014 (NCAA)
Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year 2014