The Canterbury Rams have secured KJ Buffen as their third and final overseas player for the 2024 Sal’s NBL campaign.

Standing at 6 feet 8 inches, the forward played for three years at the University of Mississippi before making a move to the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB).

In his final year at UAB, Buffen achieved a personal best in his college career, scoring an average of 10.6 points and grabbing 6.7 rebounds per game.

Judd Flavell, the team’s Head Coach, expressed his enthusiasm about Buffen’s versatility and ability to perform in multiple areas of the game.

“He seems to be the kind of player who can contribute significantly on offense and defense. His adaptability allows him to play in various positions effectively,” Flavell commented.

Buffen is also making waves in his first professional season in Finland, playing for Kobrat, where he has been improving his offensive skills, evident by his 14.9 points per game average. However, due to the overlapping schedules, Buffen might miss a few of the initial games of the NZNBL season as he concludes his commitments in Finland.

Tim Smith, the Director of Scouting, praised Buffen’s scoring versatility, noting his ability to drive to the basket or threaten from the perimeter with his enhanced shooting skills.

“Buffen brings a level of reliability and versatility with his broad set of skills and well-rounded athletic capabilities, which I believe will serve as a cornerstone for our team,” Smith added.