Santa Monica College has a long history of attracting foreign students, and over the years the school’s athletic teams have benefited from the talent pool.
A few years ago the best player on the SMC women’s basketball team was from Sweden. This year, two members of the men’s basketball team, Carl Kindborg and Dennis Twumasi, are also from Sweden, as is Nina Anjadi of the women’s team.
The SMC men earned their first Western State Conference win of the season Saturday night, 64-50, over Canyons in Corsair Pavilion, as forward Arthur Braswell had 20 points and 19 rebounds.
Noah Gottlieb scored 14 points and Chris Blackwood contributed six assists.
In the Santa Monica College media guide the following appears: “Our academic excellence and prime location in a vibrant urban area attract students from all over the world. Santa Monica College boasts one of the largest international student populations of any community college in the nation, with approximately 2,600 from more than 100 countries.”
In 2005, Daisuke Muramatsu from Japan was on the SMC men’s basketball squad, and a year ago there was Boran Rajcic from Montenegro.
Kindborg has been a significant contributor this season. In one game he scored 14 points, and he was named to an all-tournament team. He’s a 6-foot-3 forward with a smooth left-handed jump shot.
Twumasi has been a key reserve and started the league opener against LA Valley.
SMC lost earlier last week to Bakersfield, 81-77, after leading 37-26 at halftime. Although the team’s conference record is just 1-4, coach Jesse Teplitzky remains optimistic.
“By no means are we out of the playoff picture,” he said. “With a 14-10 overall record we’ll have tiebreakers in our favor should we get into that position.”
The Corsairs were scheduled to play at West Los Angeles College Wednesday night, January 30, and at Valley Saturday, February 2.
