Lehmon Colbert was one of the most under-rated Americans to play in Cork - his record is superb

Sometimes you don’t realise how great a basketball player is, until he’s gone, retired and forgotten about. 

However, when you look back this player's career, you will see something completely different. 

His impact on and off the court combined by his medals and individual titles that he won in his time in Cork.

Lehmon Colbert is definitely one such player that every team in the country would love to have on their roster.

Colbert had an amazing career playing professionally in England, Mexico and Ireland with Blue Demons, Neptune and also lined out with Ireland Men’s team Hibernia in the 2015/6 FIBA Europe Cup.

He played college basketball for the Jacksonville Dolphins in Florida before playing professionally in England, Mexico and Ireland.

In his time with Crawford County High School in Roberta Georgia he was a three year starter and as a senior he averaged 25 points, 13 rebounds, eight assists, four steals and three blocks per game and helped him make the first Team All State team.

His college career was equally impressive with Jacksonville University, and again he was a four-year starter and finished his college career with a total of 1,460 points, which is 13th all time in the school history, and he finished 10th in rebounding.

After a staler high school and college career there was little surprise that Colbert made the move to play professional overseas. 

The 22-year-old joined the Plymouth Raiders in 2010 after graduating from Jacksonville University. 

The 6-7 inch forward enjoyed a successful two seasons in Devon, averaging 15 points and seven rebounds a game and had a short stint in Mexico before coming to Ireland in 2013 where he lined out for UCC Demons for four years. 

In his time with Demons in the Irish Super League, he won two league and cup honours and multiple other trophies, was the league's Player of the Year in 2016 and was the cup MVP on a couple of occasions. 

Then between 2018 and 2020, he played for Neptune and served as player-coach in his second season.

“I started my playing career with Crawford Country High School back home in was then recruited by Division One college Jacksonville University where I had four wonderful years,” Lehmon said.

“After college I travelled to England to play with Plymouth Raiders in the BBL for two seasons. 

"I then had a short stint in Mexico with Lenadores de Madera for a couple months, however, I found it difficult to settle. 

"My next journey was to Ireland to play with UCC Blue Demons in 2013 and I had four wonderful years there before I finished my playing career in Ireland with Neptune.

“In my time with Demons I have a lot of great memories. 

"Winning all three trophies in one season and playing for the national team will always be at the top for me. 

"I loved all my teammates, Kyle Hosford (one of the best PG in Irish Basketball), Colin O’Reilly (one of the best Irish players ever), Shane Coughlan (Big Shot Cap), Niall O’Reilly (My Partner in Crime) , the Sully Brothers, Ciaran (one of the the best shooters ever) and Adrian (my favorite young gun) I loved those guys and all my teammates with both teams.

After an amazing four years with Demons, Lehmon took the short journey down the road to join Neptune as a player and player/coach and for two seasons before he retired and returned home to the US.

“In my time with Neptune as player/coach, my time was cut short because of COVID right as we were about to make a playoff push. 

“The Neptune players were very young when I was there, so for me watching and working hand and hand with them gave me great satisfaction. "Now being able to watch them grow and become superstars at the game.

“I played against some excellent players in Ireland with Micheal Bonaparte, Paul Dick, Issac Westbrook, Ger Noonan all standout players that I loved mixing it up with."

Colbert is now back home in Perry Georgia where he is working for a custom cabinet shop and he in his space time coaches in the local community. 

However, he is very grateful to the people who made live very easy for him in Cork.

“Now I’m running a custom cabinet shop by the name of Cabinetry By Evans, and trying to teach the game generation in my home town in Perry Georgia.

“Finally, I would like to thank Troy O’Mahony and Micheal O’Leary with the Demons, Paul Barrett with Neptune and C&S Construction who sponsored both cubs when I was playing in Cork,” Colbert added.