GORHAM, Maine – Former University of Southern Maine Huskies' men's basketball standout Jose Nouchanthavong (Westbrook, Maine) has recently been announced as a member of the Class of 2021 inductee into the Lao American Sports Hall of Fame. 
 
The Lao America Sports Hall of Fame (LASHOF) is dedicated to preserving the history and recognizing the athletic achievements of the Laotian diaspora in the Americans.  Joining athletes from the sports of skateboarding, body building, track & field and football from around the United States and in Canada, Nouchanthavong is currently playing basketball professionally in the Thai Basketball Super League (TBSL), and the Armenia Basketball League (ABL).  Recently completing his 2020-21 season with the TBSL Luang Prabang, Nouchanthavong is playing for the Uratu BC of the
 
Nouchanthavong joins an elite group of former USM men's basketball players who have played professionally following their intercollegiate careers in Gorham, including John Jordan, Devin Chambers (Mexican LNBP) and Jeremey Jackson (KB Kosova).  Nouchanthavong is one of the first two Lao Americans to play professionally (along with Bobby Syvanthong).
 
A graduate of nearby Westbrook High School, Nouchanthavong transferred to the University of Southern Maine after a successful start to his career at Southern Maine Community College.  In his three seasons with the Seawolves, Nouchanthavong put his mark on the SMCC record books in points, rebounds and assists and earned first team United States Collegiate Athletic Association (USCAA) All-American honors. 
 
Joining the Huskies for the 2015-2016 season, Nouchanthavong made an immediate impact in Gorham and throughout the Little East Conference, earning first team All-LEC honors.
 
The high scoring 6-2 guard had an outstanding season for the Huskies, averaging a team-leading 18.2 points per game, which was good for third in the Little East.  Shooting 46.2 percent (154-for-333) from the field and 43.1 percent (66-for-153) from three-point range, Nouchanthavong scored 472 points on the season.  Running the Huskies' offense, Nouchanthavong was second in the Little East Conference in assists, passing off 116 helpers to average 4.46 assists per game in route to an outstanding 1.8 assist-to-turnover ratio.  Nouchanthavong scored in double-figures in 23 games, setting career and season-high total of 34 points in back-to-back games against Plymouth State (February 17, 2016) and UMass Dartmouth (February 20, 2016). 
 
Named the Little East Conference Player of the Week twice during the 2015-2016 season, Nouchanthavong finished his year with the Huskies, averaging 18.2 points, 4.1 rebounds, 4.46 assists and 1.23 steals per game.  His 66 three-pointers are currently sixth in Husky single-season records, while his 43.1 shooting percentage from long-range is ranked 14th.