February 17, 2015

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – Arnold Louis is taking a new job.

The Champaign Swarm forward has been signed by the Bogotá Piratas of the Colombian Professional Basketball League.  He will join the team immediately to prepare for their season opener on Feb. 23.

Louis is the second MPBA player to sign with a foreign league.  Kenny Williams of the St. Louis RiverSharks signed a deal to play in Sweden two weeks after the start of the MPBA season.

The former Savannah State standout started all nine game for Champaign this season and led the squad in scoring and rebounds with 21.4 points per game and 9.4 rebounds per game.

“I really enjoyed my time in Champaign,” Louis said. “The fans welcome you here and the front office treats players well, from our housing set up and meals to the things we get to do in the community. I never had to worry about whether I’d be paid, and they gave me a chance to improve my game.”

Louis earned Midwest Professional Basketball Association honors earlier this month after posting a league-high 43-point performance on Feb. 5 and following that with 27 points on Feb. 8.

“It will be hard to replace a guy like Arnold, but it’s a good problem,” Swarm head coach Chris Daleo said. “This is what we are about -- helping guys develop and advance their careers. Arnold works hard and deserves this chance to play at the next level.”

The Champaign Swarm roster currently has 10 active players.