Courtesy of Eurobasket LLC Here is the weekly review of the top performing Sharks alumni, who are currently playing in pro basketball.
Look at great performance of Neema Namdar (25 points), Jonas Visser (17 points), and Clifford Hodge (2 points).
#1. In the recent game, Neema Namdar, a 6'2'' guard who graduated from HPU in 2020 and currently plays professionally in Denmark, displayed an outstanding performance for Vejen. Despite his impressive contributions as the team's top scorer with 25 points, along with 4 rebounds and 5 assists in 39 minutes, Vejen suffered a tough 103-83 defeat at home against Holbaek-Stenhus, who are ranked fourth in the league. This loss marked Vejen's first defeat after a series of three consecutive victories. With only one more game left in the Second Stage, the upcoming match will be crucial for Namdar and his team. Throughout the season, Namdar has maintained high statistics, averaging 15.4 points, 2.7 rebounds, 3.6 assists, and 1.1 steals per game in the 30 games he has played so far. Despite the challenging outcome of the last game, Namdar has had an impressive year individually, showcasing his skills on the court. As a naturalized American player, Namdar previously participated in the Eurobasket Summer League, known as one of the top international summer leagues in the market.
#2. Dutch basketball player Jonas Visser, a 25-year-old center standing at 6'10'' and an alummi of Sharks from 2025, showcased an outstanding performance last Thursday. Playing professionally in Holland, Visser led his Dutch team Den Helder to a thrilling 1-point victory against the closely-ranked Leeuwarden with a final score of 99-98 in the BNXT League. Despite the close margin, Visser's contribution was pivotal as he scored 17 points and grabbed 7 rebounds in just 24 minutes of play. This remarkable display of skill is particularly noteworthy considering it is only his first season in professional basketball. Den Helder Suns, currently holding a 14th position in the league with an 11-17 record, witnessed their third consecutive victory, thanks in large part to Visser's stellar performance on the court. His impactful 17 points and 7 rebounds against Leeuwarden not only demonstrated his talent but also played a key role in securing the victory for his team, leading them to glory as the champion of that game. Throughout this season, Visser has maintained an average of 4.5 points per game and 4.0 rebounds per game across 28 games, showcasing his consistency and growing impact in the league. With his skills and determination, Visser is certainly proving himself to be a rising star in Dutch basketball, and his recent performance highlights his potential to become a formidable finalist in future games.
#3. Experienced Clifford Hodge, a 6'5'' power forward at 38 years old who graduated from HPU in 2010, currently plays professionally in the Philippines. In a recent match, he played a crucial role in guiding Meralco Bolts to a 115-110 victory over the league outsider Black Bears, who were at 0-7, in the Filipino Philippine Basketball Association last Saturday. Despite scoring only 2 points, he contributed significantly with 5 rebounds and 4 assists during his 32 minutes on the court. Meralco Bolts, with a 5-2 record, currently hold the third position in the league standings. This win marked their third consecutive victory, showcasing the team's strong performance. Notably, this season marks Hodge's 14th year with the team, demonstrating his loyalty and commitment as a champion. Hodge's consistent contributions were evident in the game against Macau BB, where he once again scored 2 points, grabbed 5 rebounds, and dished out 4 assists to help secure another crucial victory for his team. His impact on the court highlights his skills and determination as a finalist. Throughout this season, Hodge has been averaging 2.9 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 1.6 assists per game over seven games. It is noteworthy that he holds both American and Filipino citizenship, allowing him to play in the Philippines as a domestic player, further enhancing his value to the team.
#4. Australian champion Jacob Foy, a 6'4'' guard, and 26-year-old Sharks alumnus from 2020, showcased his skills in a thrilling match last Saturday. Foy, now playing professionally in Australia, played a pivotal role in Hills Hornets' narrow 92-90 victory against the 16th-ranked Bandits in the Australian NBL One, the second division of basketball in Australia. Despite only scoring 5 points in 33 minutes, Foy's contribution was crucial to securing the win for his team. Currently, the Hills Hornets hold the ninth position in the East group with a record of 2-2. With the season still in its early stages, there is ample opportunity for teams to rise in the rankings. Foy's standout performance, where he scored 5 points, grabbed 1 rebound, and provided 2 assists against Albury W.B., further solidified his reputation as a true champion on the court. In the ongoing season, Foy has been averaging 4.3 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 2.7 assists per game across three games. His consistent contributions and leadership qualities highlight why he is considered a champion player in Australian basketball.
#5. Ronald Blain, a 6'5'' forward who graduated from HPU in 2020 and received the All-PacWest Third Team award that year, is currently playing professionally in the United Kingdom for the City of Birmingham Rockets. In a recent game against the lower-ranked Riders, despite his commendable efforts, Birmingham R. was defeated 87-91 on the road. Blain emerged as the second-best scorer of the game, contributing 24 points, 6 rebounds, and 6 assists during his 36 minutes on the court. As the Regular Season nears its end with only three games remaining, each match becomes increasingly crucial for the team. This marks Blain's debut season with the City of Birmingham Rockets. Despite his remarkable individual performance, exemplified by his season averages of 17.3 points, 6.3 rebounds, 3.9 assists, and 1.9 steals per game in 26 appearances, he strives to lead his team to success and make a significant impact on their journey to become champions.
#6. Dutch Jonathan Janssen, a 31-year-old power forward standing at 6'9'' and an alumnus of the Sharks from 2019, is currently showcasing his talent in Japan as a professional basketball player. Despite his best efforts, Janssen was unable to lead Tokyo Hachioji Trains to victory against Try Hoop, as his team fell short with a score of 70-75. In the game, Janssen managed to contribute 6 points and 2 rebounds in just 12 minutes of play. In another game against Okayama, Janssen once again displayed his skills on the court by scoring 6 points and grabbing 2 rebounds. Despite his commendable performance, his team was unable to secure the win on that occasion as well. Throughout the season, Janssen has maintained relatively good statistics, averaging 11.0 points per game and 5.5 rebounds per game in 28 appearances. It is worth noting that Janssen holds New Zealand citizenship, adding an international dimension to his basketball career. His dedication and contributions on the court continue to make him a standout player in the league.
Other former Hawaii Pacific University players, who play in pro basketball:
Pavle Kuzmanovic (6'6''-G-2000, played in 2024-25) plays for Telsiai in Lithuanian NKL
Marquis Moore (6'6''-G/F-1994, played in 2022-23) plays for Al Hurriyeh in Syrian SBL
Notice: The list above includes only some of alumni playing currently in pro basketball. Check complete list of Hawaii Pacific University basketball alumni.
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