James Canlas Kwekuteye (born August 15, 1998) is a Filipino-Canadian professional basketball player for the Blackwater Bossing of the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA).

James Kwekuteye
No. 7 – Blackwater Bossing
PositionShooting guard
LeaguePBA
Personal information
Born (1998-08-15) August 15, 1998 (age 26)
NationalityFilipino / Canadian
Listed height6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Listed weight182 lb (83 kg)
Career information
CollegeSan Beda
PBA draft2023: 2nd round, 20th overall pick
Selected by the Blackwater Bossing
Playing career2023–present
Career history
2023Zamboanga Valientes
2023Bacoor City Strikers
2023–presentBlackwater Bossing
Career highlights and awards

Kwekuteye played his college career with the San Beda Red Lions and turned professional in 2023 when he joined the Zamboanga Valientes for the 2023 ABL Invitational. Afterwards, he moved to the Bacoor City Strikers of the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL), where he made the All-MPBL Second Team as well as an all-star appearance. During the PBA season 48 draft, he was selected 20th overall by Blackwater.

College career

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Kwekuteye played for the San Beda Red Lions during his college career. He also played in the PBA D-League.[1]

Professional career

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Zamboanga Valientes (2023)

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After NCAA Season 98, Kwekuteye signed for the Zamboanga Valientes during the ASEAN Basketball League's 2023 Invitational tournament, forgoing his final year with San Beda.[2] After signing with the team, he stated that he would remain "open" for a return to San Beda and that he is "testing the waters in the ABL".[3]

Bacoor City Strikers (2023)

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After his ABL stint, Kwekuteye joined the Bacoor City Strikers of the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League. He was selected to the All-MPBL Second Team after averaging 12.5 points, 5.3 rebounds, 2 assists, 1.7 steals, and 0.5 blocks per game, earning an appearance in the 2023 MPBL All-Star Game and helping his team in their run to the 2023 MPBL finals.[4]

Blackwater Bossing (2023–present)

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Kwekuteye was selected 20th overall by the Blackwater Bossing of the Philippine Basketball Association during the season 48 draft.[5]

Career statistics

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Legend
  GP Games played   GS Games started  MPG  Minutes per game
 FG%  Field-goal percentage  3P%  3-point field-goal percentage  FT%  Free-throw percentage
 RPG  Rebounds per game  APG  Assists per game  SPG  Steals per game
 BPG  Blocks per game  PPG  Points per game  Bold  Career high

As of the end of 2023–24 season[6]

Season-by-season averages

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Year Team GP MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2023–24 Blackwater 15 18.3 .370 .222 1.000 1.9 1.7 .4 .1 7.7
Career 15 18.3 .370 .222 1.000 1.9 1.7 .4 .1 7.7

MPBL

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Legend
  GP Games played   GS Games started  MPG  Minutes per game
 FG%  Field-goal percentage  3P%  3-point field-goal percentage  FT%  Free-throw percentage
 RPG  Rebounds per game  APG  Assists per game  SPG  Steals per game
 BPG  Blocks per game  PPG  Points per game  Bold  Career high

As of the end of 2023 season

Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2023 Bacoor City 33 27 26.1 .379 .294 .716 5.3 2.0 1.7 .6 12.5

References

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  1. ^ Ramos, Gerry (September 16, 2023). "Carino, three others work out in front of coaches ahead of PBA Draft". Spin.ph. Retrieved August 25, 2024.
  2. ^ Leongson, Randolph B. (December 10, 2022). "James Kwekuteye forgoes final year at San Beda, signs with Valientes". Spin.ph. Retrieved August 25, 2024.
  3. ^ Cruz, Zachi (December 11, 2022). "James Kwekuteye remains 'open' to San Beda return despite signing with Zamboanga". Tiebreaker Times. Retrieved August 25, 2024.
  4. ^ "Justine Baltazar is runaway winner of MPBL MVP award". Spin.ph. Retrieved December 4, 2023.
  5. ^ "FULL LIST of 79 players picked in PBA Season 48 Rookie Draft". Spin.ph. Retrieved August 25, 2024.
  6. ^ "James Kwekuteye Profile, Blackwater Bossings - RealGM". basketball.realgm.com.
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