WSSU's Darrell Wonge signs to play basketball in Japan

Darrell Wonge, a former forward at Winston-Salem State, has signed a professional contract to play for the Tsusho Toyota Eagles in Nagoya, Japan.

Click here to view team and Japan Basketball League: Tsusho Toyota Fighting Eagles

Wonge (6-6, 210) was noticed at a showcase for players from major and mid-major schools. The Fighting Eagles play in the JBL2 League and finished 14-2 last season. “I’m just happy that I got the opportunity to live out my dream of playing professional basketball,” Wonge said. “It was nerve-wracking at first especially after a number of other opportunities fell through, but I’m very grateful for the opportunity that I’ve received.”

At WSSU, Wonge had career totals of 845 points, 408 rebounds, 89 assists and 74 steals. He averaged a career-best 10.7 points and had a career-high 150 rebounds last season as a senior.

His best game was when he scored a career-high 30 points on 11-of-18 shooting as Winston Salem State University dropped a close one to Hampton University, 64-62, on January 21, 2008. Wonge played high school ball at Malverne High School, Lakeview, New York.

He is the second former Ram to sign a professional sports contract at the upper division level in as many months with former WSSU defensive end William Hayes signing with the NFL Tennessee Titans in July. Wonge will depart for Japan on September 1, 2008.

Follow Darrell Wonge's team and career at: Tsusho Toyota Fighting Eagles .