ZESTAPONI, Georgia (Jan. 5, 2021) –Will Lienhard is the latest former Oklahoma Christian men's basketball standout to join the professional ranks, having signed to play for BC Zestaponi in the nation of Georgia.

Lienhard, a 6-foot-8 center from Oklahoma City, left for Georgia last week to prepare for the season that will begin Jan. 17. He'll play in Georgia's A League, the second-highest level of pro hoops in the eastern European country, according to the website basketball.eurobasket.com/.

Leinhard said he signed with an agent in April, shortly after the Eagles' season ended, and began seeking professional basketball opportunities.

"I have just been waiting for a chance, and COVID-19 kind of kept pushing it back and back," Lienhard said. "A couple of weeks ago, about the beginning of December, my agent reached out and said there was this team here in Georgia who was interested, if I could come in a few weeks, and I said 'sure.' I am excited for this opportunity!"

After spending two seasons at Oklahoma State as a walk-on, Lienhard transferred to OC before the 2017-18 season, where he established himself as one of the top rebounders and defenders in NCAA Division II. He ranks fourth on OC's career list for blocked shots with 190.

During the 2018-19 season, he led Division II in rebounds per game (12.7) and was ninth nationally in both blocked shots per game (2.48) and total blocked shots (72) while also averaging 8.3 points per game and leading the Eagles in assists (72). He was named as the Heartland Conference's co-defensive player of the year.

Granted an extra season of eligibility by the NCAA, Lienhard starred again in 2019-20, averaging 6.8 points, 10.4 rebounds and 2.54 blocks per game. He led the Lone Star Conference in both rebounds and blocks, finishing 11th and seventh in Division II, respectively, in those statistical categories. He received honorable mention on the All-LSC list.

An outstanding student, Lienhard made a conference honor roll in five of his six semesters at OC and was a recipient of the Division II Athletic Directors Association Academic Achievement Award for 2019-20. After his final season at OC, he was named as Mr. Eagle, the highest honor in OC athletics.

"I am extremely happy for Will," OC coach Kendre Talley said. "He has been patient and trusted the process during this COVID season. There is no doubt in my mind that he will have success. Most of the OC family knows how good he is at rebounding and defense. Those things alone can really help any team at the next level. This past couple of months I have seen him in the gym working on his scoring and preparing for the start of his pro career."

Lienhard is the fifth former OC player currently on a pro basketball roster, joining his former teammates Miroslav Jaksic (Trelleborg in Sweden), Sebastian Davet (Starwings Basket Regio Basel in Switzerland), Dedrian Parmer Jr. (Gzira Athleta in Malta) and Elijah Strickland (Vfl Kirchheim Knights in Germany).

Other former OC standouts who have played professionally include Cory Cole, Brad Wedel, John Nottley, Fred Garcia, Brandon Kephart, Jon Jonnson, Michael Hill, Jacques Vandescure, Keith Harris, Lionel Saban, Casimiro Laguna, Jarred Merrill, Will Reinke, Talley and Chiza Ntirata.