Courtesy of Eurobasket LLC Here is the weekly review of the top performing Dukes alumni, who are currently playing in pro basketball.
#1. Mezie Offurum, a 6'8'' forward who graduated from JMU in 2023, is currently playing professionally in Switzerland. In a recent game, he led Fribourg to a thrilling 87-84 victory over Geneve, a closely-ranked opponent with a 19-5 record. Offurum's stellar performance earned him the MVP title as he showcased his skills by scoring 22 points and grabbing 13 rebounds in 39 minutes of play. This impressive display is even more notable considering he is only in his third season of professional basketball. The game between Fribourg and Geneve was highly anticipated as it featured two top 4 ranked teams, with Fribourg Olympic holding the top spot in the league with a 23-1 record. Offurum's double-double performance against Geneve, where he also contributed 2 assists, was instrumental in securing his team's 13th consecutive victory. His remarkable stat line of 22 points, 13 rebounds, and 2 assists not only led Fribourg to success but also earned him the prestigious Triple-Double Badge from eurobasket.com, further solidifying his reputation as a champion player. Throughout the season, Offurum has consistently delivered outstanding performances, averaging 19.0 points, 6.8 rebounds, 2.1 assists, and 1.3 steals per game. His contributions on the court have been crucial to Fribourg's success, showcasing his talent and versatility as a player. Offurum, a naturalized Nigerian, continues to excel in the professional basketball scene, proving himself as a finalist player in every game he plays.
#2. Experienced champion Juwann James, a towering 6'6'' center and 39-year-old Duke University alumnus from the class of 2009, currently plays professionally in Switzerland. In a recent game last Tuesday, despite James' outstanding performance, he could not lift Geneve (19-5) to victory as they suffered a tough 86-66 defeat at home against the formidable Fribourg, the current frontrunners in the league. James showcased his champion spirit on the court, emerging as the top scorer for his team with 15 points. In addition to his scoring prowess, he also contributed 4 rebounds and 3 assists during his 32 minutes on the court. Despite his commendable stats and relentless effort, Geneve fell short against Fribourg. Throughout the season, James has maintained solid statistics, averaging 10.6 points, 4.0 rebounds, 2.6 assists, and 1.2 steals per game. His consistent performance and unwavering determination truly exemplify him as a champion in every sense of the word, even in the face of adversity.
#3. T.J. Bickerstaff, a 6'9'' forward who graduated from JMU in 2024 and was honored with the All-Sun Belt Newcomer of the Year award, currently plays professionally in Israel. In a recent match, Bickerstaff's team, Hapoel Altshuler Shaham Beer Sheva, faced off against E.Netanya in the Israeli Winner League. Despite Bickerstaff's solid performance of scoring 6 points, grabbing 5 rebounds, and providing 1 assist in 18 minutes, Hapoel Altshuler Shaham Beer Sheva was unable to secure a victory, falling 83-79 on the road to the lower-ranked E.Netanya. This game marked the end of the Regular Season. Throughout the season, Bickerstaff has maintained an average of 8.3 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 1.2 assists per game, showcasing his skills and contributions to his team, even in challenging matchups like the recent game against E.Netanya.
#4. Luke Anderson, a 6'8'' forward and 25-year-old Duke University alum from the class of 2025, has been excelling in his professional basketball career in Australia. In a recent game, he showcased his talent by contributing significantly to Sunshine Coast Phoenix's easy victory over the ninth-ranked Force, with a final score of 123-88 in the Australian NBL One, the second division league. Anderson's impressive performance included 7 points, 11 rebounds, and 3 assists in just 21 minutes of play. Sunshine Coast Phoenix, with a current record of 4-2, holds the fifth position in the North group standings. Anderson's consistent contributions on the court, such as his 7 points, 11 rebounds, and 3 assists against Ipswich F, have been instrumental in securing victories for his team. His solid statistics this season, averaging 13.7 points, 8.0 rebounds, and 1.5 assists per game, highlight his importance as a key player and a potential finalist in the league. Anderson's skills and dedication have proven him to be a true champion player, making significant plays that lead his team to triumph. His valuable presence on the court continues to be a driving force behind Sunshine Coast Phoenix's success in the league.
#5. Andre Nation, a 6'5'' power forward who is 32 years old and graduated from JMU in 2015, played a crucial role in helping his team win the CAA Regular Season Co-Champion title that year. Currently playing professionally in Venezuela, Nation recently competed in a game where his team, Gaiteros (20-3), faced off against Marinos (14-10) in the Venezuelan Superliga Profesional de Baloncesto final. Despite his efforts, Nation could not lead Gaiteros to victory, as they were narrowly defeated 89-86 by Marinos on their home court in Maracaibo. Nation managed to contribute 4 points, 1 rebound, and 2 assists in the game, showcasing his skills on the court. However, despite his individual performance, Gaiteros fell short against the lower-ranked Marinos (#6). Throughout this season, Nation has been averaging 9.3 points, 2.9 rebounds, 1.5 assists, and 1.2 steals per game, demonstrating his consistent contributions to the team.
#6. In a recent game in the New Zealand National Basketball League, the 31-year-old 6'7'' forward Thomas Vodanovich, a Dukes alumnus from 2017 who currently plays professionally in New Zealand, showcased his skills by leading Auckland Tuatara to a resounding 96-71 victory over the Tauranga team, which is considered one of the league's weakest teams. Vodanovich's stellar performance included 13 points, 5 rebounds, and 2 assists in just 26 minutes of play. His impressive display on the court not only contributed to his team's win but also solidified his position as the champion of the game. Throughout the season, Vodanovich has maintained high statistics, averaging 16.3 points per game, 5.0 rebounds per game, and 1.4 assists per game. His consistent performance and impactful contributions have positioned him as a standout finalist in the league, showcasing his talent and dedication to the sport.
Other former James Madison University players, who play in pro basketball:
Noah Freidel (6'4''-G-2000, played in 2022-24) plays for King Szczecin in Polish OBL
Ronald Curry (6'4''-G-1993, played in 2012-16) plays for MKS Dabrowa Gornicza in Polish OBL
Mark Freeman (5'11''-PG-1999, played in 2024-25) plays for Orbi in Georgian Superleague
Terrence Edwards (6'6''-G/F-2002, played in 2020-24) plays for Avtodor in Russian VTB United League
Matt Lewis (6'4''-G-1998, played in 2017-21) plays for Panionios in Greek GBL
Takal Molson (6'4''-F/G-1998, played in 2021-23) plays for Fribourg in Swiss SBL
Michael Green III (6'0''-PG-2001, played in 2023-24) plays for M.Kiryat Gat in Israeli National League
Ebenezer Dowuona (6'11''-F-2002, played in 2024-25) plays for Maine Celtics in the NBA G League
Bryant Randleman (6'4''-G-2000, played in 2023-24) plays for Sokhumi in Georgian A League
Alonzo Sule (6'7''-F-1999, played in 2021-23) plays for M.Petah Tikva in Israeli National League
Elijah Hutchins-Everett (6'10''-C-2001, played in 2024-25) plays for Sumqayit in Azerbaijani ABL
Noah Williams (6'5''-G-2001, played in 2024-25) played for Leones in Nicaraguan TBN few monts ago
Andrey Semenov (6'7''-F-1990, played in 2010-14) played for Chelbasket in Russian Superleague last year
Notice: The list above includes only some of alumni playing currently in pro basketball. Check complete list of James Madison University basketball alumni.
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