Cardenas signs to play professionally in Colombia

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – Bryant University men's basketball alum Juan Cardenas has signed to play professionally with Academia de la Montaña in Colombia.

Academia de la Montaña is a professional team in the Colombian Basketball League. Cardenas, a native of Apartadó, Colombia, becomes the second Bulldog in the last month to sign a professional contract, joining Benson Lin who was drafted third overall in the Chinese Basketball Association.

Cardenas spent two seasons in the Black and Gold after transferring from Midland College. He made an immediate impact in 2018-19, averaging 7.3 ppg, 4.8 rpg and 1.6 blocks per game. Cardenas blocked 46 shots that season before swatting away 24 more as a senior. He thrived in Northeast Conference play as a senior, averaging 11.1 ppg and 5.5 rpg.

Bryant head coach Jared Grasso has now had 34 former players go on to play professionally since 2011.