_by_Sandro_Halank%25E2%2580%2593071.jpg) L. J. Figueroa with Ulm in 2023 | |
| No. 30 – Aris Thessaloniki | |
|---|---|
| Position | Small forward |
| League | GBL |
| Personal information | |
| Born | (1998-03-28)March 28, 1998 (age 27) Lawrence, Massachusetts, U.S. |
| Nationality | American / Dominican |
| Listed height | 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) |
| Listed weight | 200 lb (91 kg) |
| Career information | |
| High school |
|
| College |
|
| NBA draft | 2021:undrafted |
| Playing career | 2021–present |
| Career history | |
| 2021 | Leones de Santo Domingo |
| 2021–2022 | Santa Cruz Warriors |
| 2022–2023 | South Bay Lakers |
| 2023 | Grises de Humacao |
| 2023–2024 | ratiopharm ulm |
| 2024 | Básquet Coruña |
| 2025–present | Aris Thessaloniki |
| Career highlights and awards | |
| |
Stats atBasketball Reference  | |
Lionel Jr. "L. J." Figueroa Mercado (born March 28, 1998) is a Dominican and American professionalbasketball player forAris Thessaloniki of theGreek Basketball League (GBL). He playedcollege basketball for theOdessa Wranglers, theSt. John's Red Storm, and theOregon Ducks.
As a freshman, Figueroa played basketball forNotre Dame Cristo Rey High School inLawrence, Massachusetts. For his sophomore season, he transferred toLawrence High School in Lawrence to seek better competition but was relegated tojunior varsity. He then transferred to Oldsmar Christian School inOldsmar, Florida, where he repeated his sophomore year and grew four inches (10 cm).[1] Figueroa was drawn there by coach Alex Arias.[2] For his senior season, he moved to West Oaks Academy inOrlando, Florida.[3] Figueroa was a four-starrecruit and committed to play college basketball forNew Mexico State over offers fromFlorida,Miami (Florida) andLouisville, among others.[4]
Before playing a game for New Mexico State, Figueroa left the program due to a coaching change. He played forOdessa College during his freshman season.[5] Figueroa averaged 21.4 points, 5.5 rebounds and 3.7 assists per game, while shooting 48.2 percent from three-point range, and earned First TeamNational Junior College Athletic Association Division I All-American honors.[6][7] He was also namedWestern Junior College Athletic Conference (WJCAC) Player of the Year and Freshman of the Year.[8]
For his sophomore season, Figueroa transferred toSt. John's.[7] On November 27, 2018, he scored a sophomore season-high 25 points and collected 13 rebounds in an 85–64 win againstMaryland Eastern Shore.[9] As a sophomore, Figueroa averaged 14.4 points, 6.4 rebounds and 1.7 assists per game. He entered the transfer portal following the departure of coachChris Mullin before returning to St. John's.[10] On January 25, 2020, Figueroa scored a junior season-high 28 points with seven three-pointers in a 79–66 win overDePaul.[11] As a junior, he averaged 14.5 points, 4.5 rebounds, 2.1 assists and aBig East-leading 1.9 steals per game.[12] However, Figueroa struggled with his shooting under new coachMike Anderson, making 37.9 percent of his attempts from the floor.[13]
After initially declaring for the2020 NBA draft, Figueroa decided to return to college and transfer toOregon for his senior season.[14] He was granted a waiver for immediate eligibility on December 3.[15] As a senior, Figueroa averaged 12.3 points and a team-high 6.1 rebounds per game, while finishing third on the team with 41 steals. Following the season, he opted to turn professional rather than take advantage of the additional season of eligibility the NCAA granted due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[16]
After going undrafted in the2021 NBA draft, Figueroa joined theDallas Mavericks forNBA Summer League play.[17]
In August, he signed withLeones de Santo Domingo of the DominicanLiga Nacional de Baloncesto,[18] helping them win the LNB Championship.[19]
On October 13, 2021, Figueroa signed with theGolden State Warriors.[20] However, he was waived three days later.[21] In October 2021, Figueroa joined theSanta Cruz Warriors as an affiliate player.[22] On January 10, 2022, he had 17 points and 13 rebounds and hit the game-winning basket at the buzzer in a 132–130 overtime win over theMemphis Hustle.[23]
On October 8, 2022, Figueroa signed with theLos Angeles Lakers.[24] He was waived two days later.[25]
On October 22, 2022, Figueroa joined theSouth Bay Lakers training camp roster.[26]
On April 2, 2023, Figueroa signed withGrises de Humacao of thePuerto Rican league.[27]
On July 27, 2023, Figueroa signed withratiopharm Ulm of the GermanBasketball Bundesliga.[28]
Figueroa represented theDominican Republic at the2016 FIBA Americas Under-18 Championship, averaging 14.6 points and 5.2 rebounds per game.[29] He played for the Dominican Republic at the2019 Pan American Games.[30]
| 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 |
| Year | Team | GP | GS | MPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018–19 | St. John's | 34 | 32 | 32.0 | .513 | .383 | .627 | 6.4 | 1.7 | 1.8 | .2 | 14.4 |
| 2019–20 | St. John's | 32 | 32 | 28.3 | .379 | .365 | .663 | 4.5 | 2.1 | 1.9 | .5 | 14.5 |
| 2020–21 | Oregon | 26 | 21 | 31.3 | .467 | .377 | .667 | 6.1 | 1.4 | 1.6 | .3 | 12.3 |
| Career | 92 | 85 | 30.5 | .449 | .374 | .651 | 5.6 | 1.8 | 1.8 | .3 | 13.9 | |
| Year | Team | GP | GS | MPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017–18 | Odessa | 33 | 32 | 24.2 | .555 | .482 | .726 | 5.5 | 3.7 | 1.2 | .4 | 21.4 |
Figueroa is the son of Leo Figueroa and Gleny Mercado. His mother playedvolleyball forFlorida Memorial College.[1]
