SOURCE: The Palladium Times, By Josh St. Croix

OSWEGO — Jeremiah Sparks celebrated his 23rd birthday by formalizing the next step of his basketball career in the setting where he developed into a pro.

The Oswego State guard and Jordan-Elbridge alum signed with the Olpe/Siegen Black Flyz. He will depart Aug. 17 to play for the professional basketball team of the second regional league in Germany.
Sparks signed his contract Monday at the Oswego State Co-Ed Basketball Camp operated by Lakers head coach Jason Leone.

He sat at a desk in Max Ziel Gym, and after a short introduction from Leone, Sparks put pen to paper then celebrated with the young campers for whom he has strived to serve as a role model since arriving on campus in 2019.

"I felt like it was right to do it here," Sparks said. "I think Oswego has done a lot for me. All these kids have pushed me to pursue my dreams and work harder, and they're my biggest fans. So, it was definitely an honor to sign it in front of them, take a picture, and just enjoy the moment."

Leone added, "That speaks to Jeremiah. He wanted to share it with a bunch of people. … I'm not sure I've seen anyone captivate a fan base or an audience, or as many young people as what Jeremiah has during his five years here."
Sparks completed one of the most decorated careers in Lakers history this past season.

He finished with 1,813 career points to rank fifth all-time for the program. He also ranks ninth in career 3-point field goals (153), fourth in total free throws made (378), ninth in assists (337), sixth in steals (155) and is tied for seventh in rebounds (708). Sparks also matched Mat Burridge (2003-07) for the team record with 117 games played.

Sparks was one of 25 NCAA Division III players to be named an All-American by D3Hoops.com, was named to the National Association of Basketball Coaches All-America second team, earned NABC All-District first team honors and was the SUNYAC Player of the Year. He was also invited to play in the NABC Reese's NCAA Division III All-Star Game this past March in Fort Wayne, Indiana.

Sparks helped elevate the Lakers in the process. Over his final three seasons, Oswego posted an 81-9 overall record and went 57-3 against SUNYAC teams as a constant presence in the national polls.

They made three straight trips to the NCAA Tournament, including back-to-back Sweet 16 appearances, and advanced to the program's only Elite Eight in 2023.

Sparks said he is now eager to start a new challenge overseas.

"I'm really excited," Sparks said. "I've definitely been wanting to play professional basketball since I was young, and given the opportunity now, I'm very excited and just ready to go play and start a new journey, and make a new name for myself."
He later added, "Not many people get to to do it — I'm one of the few — and I'm not going to take it for granted. I'm going the make the best of it and have fun."

Sparks gained initial contact with the club through Nick Perioli — another accomplished Oswego State alum and the current head coach for the Phoenix varsity boys team — who played professionally overseas for 12 years in five different countries.

Perioli used a prior connection to thrust Sparks onto the team's radar, and Sparks then began talking to the team and sent highlights. After about a month, an agreement was reached and Sparks was sent the contract, which he inked on Monday.
"They told me that I was their guy and they sent the contract over. I was honored," Sparks said.

"It definitely feels like there is a little more pressure to it now that I have people to impress and showcase my talents to, and make sure they know they didn't take a bad risk on me," he added. "So, I'm just making sure I'm the best player I can be, staying in a good mental space, and just enjoying life as it goes on."

Sparks will spend much of his time training before he leaves next month. He will continue working camps for Leone, as he has during his five years in the program.
He is also playing in a summer league and maintaining his personal offseason routine from past years.

"Im just doing the same thing I've been doing — grinding and keeping my head down, staying focused, and locking in on my goals and my dreams," Sparks said.

Christian Simmons — a Rochester native who played at Oswego for the 2021-22 season — was the most recent player from the Lakers to sign a pro contract to play overseas.

Josh Delfino (2011-12) and Chris Gilkes (2010-13) are other players to make the jump during Leone's coaching tenure.

Leone said that he is happy to see Sparks continue his playing career, and credited the tenacious 6-foot-3 guard for staying true to his goals throughout his tenure for the Lakers.

Leone believes Sparks will carry that mentality into his pro career and said that he would "never bet against him."

"He'll put his heart and soul into anything that he does," Leone said. "He understands the boundaries now and the standard. It's different than college. It's a job. Not only are you playing to win, but you're also playing for your next contract."

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