The claret club continues to shape its team for the upcoming season. After securing the continuity of Carlos Alocén and Pierre Pelos, the team might be adding guard Marques Townes, who will not remain with Oviedo. Despite interest from other teams like Movistar Estudiantes, the player seems inclined towards Gran Canaria's proposal.
In the shooting guard position, Townes could be joined by Sasu Salin, who becomes a free agent after his contract with Estudiantes expired and would reportedly welcome joining the project led by Francesc Solana and Bruno Savignani.
“"Marques Rashaad Townes Villar (New Jersey, 30 years old, 1.93 meters) plays shooting guard, although his versatility allows him to also act as a point guard. Although born in the United States, he is a senior international for the Dominican Republic national team, under Néstor Che García, which allows him to play with a Cotonou passport (he does not count as an extra-EU player)."
Having developed in US college basketball, Townes played for Fairleigh Dickinson and Loyola Ramblers, where he excelled in his final year, averaging 15.3 points, five rebounds, and 3.6 assists, earning Player of the Year honors in the Missouri Valley Conference.
After not being selected in the 2019 NBA draft, he began his professional career in Spain with UCAM Murcia. In his first ACB season, he averaged 6.1 points and 1.7 rebounds, a performance that led to his contract renewal. His tenure in Murcia concluded in March 2021.
Subsequently, his career took him through various international teams, including BC Kalev/Cramo (Estonia), Pieno Zvaigzdes Pasvalys (Lithuania), Tours Métropole (France), KTE Duna Aszfalt (Hungary), Crailsheim Merlins (Germany), BK Opava (Czech Republic), Paok Thessaloniki (Greece), KB Peja (Kosovo), and Anorthosis Famagusta (Cyprus), before joining Oviedo.
With the Asturian team, Townes was a key player, earning four MVP awards in the Primera FEB and leading the team to the Final Four. Last season, he averaged 16.1 points (fourth highest scorer), 5.2 rebounds, and 4.3 assists.
The Canarian club would thus secure a versatile shooting guard, known for his energy and intensity, capable of contributing on both defense and offense, with a knack for scoring, rebounding, and playmaking. Among his weaknesses are his turnovers (3.5 per game) and a lack of long-term stability at his previous clubs, contributing to his nomadic career.
Alongside Jón Axel Gudmundsson, Granca would add two of the standout players from the last season in the Primera FEB.
