PODGORICA, Montenegro — Budućnost Voli announced Friday the signing of former Iowa State standout Marial Shayok for the upcoming season.
Shayok, a 6-foot-6 wing who can play both shooting guard and small forward, arrives in Podgorica with a résumé that includes experience in the NBA, EuroLeague and top-tier international competition.
The 28-year-old recently gained global attention for his performance with the South Sudan national team, where he helped the squad secure its first-ever Olympic berth.
During the 2024 Paris Olympics, Shayok averaged 14.7 points and 3.7 rebounds. His profile rose significantly during a pre-Olympic exhibition against the United States, where he scored 25 points and made six 3-pointers against a roster of NBA stars.
He also averaged 13.2 points during the 2023 World Cup.
A native of Ottawa, Shayok remains one of the most decorated one-year players in Iowa State history. During the 2018-19 season, he led the Cyclones with 18.7 points per game, finishing second in the Big 12 Conference in scoring. He was named an Associated Press All-America Honorable Mention and a finalist for the Julius Erving Award, given to the nation’s top small forward.
Shayok was instrumental in Iowa State’s conference tournament in Kansas City, earning Big 12 Tournament Most Outstanding Player honors after averaging 18 points across three victories to claim the conference title. He finished the season as the only player in the country to average at least 18.5 points while shooting 49 percent from the field, 38 percent from 3-point range, and 87 percent from the free-throw line.
Following his tenure in Ames, Shayok was selected by the Philadelphia 76ers in the second round of the 2019 NBA Draft (No. 54 overall), becoming the 40th player in Iowa State history to be drafted.
Shayok concluded his collegiate career with 1,221 points, 376 rebounds, and 174 assists across 137 games.
His professional career has spanned several continents, including stints with Fenerbahçe in Turkey, where he won a league championship, and Maccabi Tel Aviv, where he captured a national cup in 2025.
He has also played professionally in China and Japan.
Budućnost Voli officials noted that Shayok’s ability to score off the dribble, off screens, and as a spot-up shooter will provide a significant boost to the team’s offensive versatility.
