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Dwight Hardy Update: Former St. John's guard finishes fourth season overseas

Hardy's very successful first season with his new Turkish basketball team came to a close yesterday, and it appears he will be in Turkey for the near future.

Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports

As the NBA Playoffs begin to wind down with the Finals kicking off tonight between the Cleveland Cavaliers and Golden State Warriors, former St. John's standout guard Dwight Hardy saw his international season come to an end yesterday as well.

The 28 year-old Hardy saw his fourth season playing professional basketball overseas come to an end yesterday after his team, Trabzonspor B.K., was swept by the Anadolu Efes three games to none in the semi-finals of the Turkish Basketball League (TBL) Playoffs.

Despite the loss and elimination, however, Hardy had a very strong season playing for his new Turkish club, whom he signed with last June.

In 50 total games for Trabzonspor in 2014-15, Hardy would average just under 17 points per game on impressive 50% shooting from the field along with stellar 42% shooting from 3-point range.

Looking at some advanced statistics, Hardy's effective field goal percentage was at an all-time high this season at just under 60%, while his offensive rating (meaning points produced per 100 possessions) was 125.0, nearly 12 points higher than his previous career high set last season.

In addition to participating in the TBL this season, Trabzonspor also was eligible to compete in the third-tier-level European basketball competition known as the EuroChallenge.

The EuroChallenge season lasted from November to April, and it featured teams from Germany, Italy, France, Portugal, and three teams from Turkey.

It seemed like Hardy's game was taken to another level in EuroChallenge play, as he led the team with 18.1 points per game and 31 minutes per game, all while finishing in the top three on the team in assists and steals.

Hardy's 18.1 points per game also ranked second among all players in the competition as well, while he also finished 17th in field goal percentage, 10th in 3-point field goal percentage, and second in free-throw shooting with an 89.5% mark from the line.

Trabzonspor would advance all the way to the EuroChallenge Final on April 26th behind Hardy's guidance, however their season would ultimately end in heartbreak.

Leading 63-62 over JSF Nanterre of France in the game's closing seconds, Trabzonspor would give up an offensive rebound off a missed 3-pointer which eventually would fall into the hands of American Terrance Campbell, who would hit a reverse layup at the buzzer to give Nanterre the 64-63 championship victory.

Despite the loss, Hardy played exceptionally well in the championship, leading his team with 16 points on 4-9 shooting from the field all while dishing out a team-high six assists. He was also named to the EuroChallenge All-Imports team after the game as well.

Because Trabzonspor advanced to the championship game, they are also eligible to compete in the second-tier EuroCup competition next season.

With Trabzonspor being bounced from the TBL Playoffs yesterday, Hardy's 2014-15 season has come to a close. He recently signed a two-year extension to remain with Trabzonspor through 2017.