Colonels In The Pros - Justin Stommes | Jaron JonesRICHMOND, Ky. – Former Colonel Mike DiNunno averaged 16 points, 4.3 assists and two steals per game this season for the Cheshire Phoenix in the British Basketball League (BBL) before seeing his season end due to an injury.
DiNunno joined the team five games into the season and immediately made an impact. The Phoenix started the season 1-4 but then went 17-3 when DiNunno played.
The Chicago native was third on the team in scoring, third in assists and led the squad in steals. He shot 52 percent from the field, made a team-high 48 three-pointers and shot 43 percent from behind the arch. DiNunno knocked down 41 free throws in 50 trips to the line for 82 percent.
The 5-foot-11 guard scored 10 or more points in 16 of the 20 games he played in. He also dished out five or more assists seven times. In his first game with the team, DiNunno scored 26 points and handed out five assists against Glasgow on Oct. 26. He had 16 points and nine assists against Surrey United on Nov. 28 before handing out a season-best 10 assists against Glasgow on Dec. 7. In back-to-back games in early January, DiNunno scored a season-high 36 points against Manchester before dropping 28 on Sheffield.
The former Colonel played his final game with the team on March 1.
Cheshire finished the regular season with a 26-10 record and placed fourth in the BBL. The Phoenix went 2-2 in the playoffs and advanced to the semifinal round.
DiNunno began his professional career in October 2013 with BC Beroe in Stara Zagora, Bulgaria. He also played with Barese in the Italian Basketball League during the 2013-14 season.
As a senior at EKU in 2012-13, DiNunno was chosen first team NABC Division I All-District 19 and first team All-Ohio Valley Conference. He led the team in three-pointers, assists and steals. He finished second in scoring at 14.8 points per game. He was among the OVC leaders in steals (3rd), assists-to-turnover ratio (3rd), free throw percentage (4th), assists (5th), 3-pointers made (5th), three-point field goal percentage (8th) and scoring (10th).
