Courtesy of Eurobasket LLC Here is the weekly review of the top performing Leopards alumni, who are currently playing in pro basketball.
Especially interesting is good performance of Justin Jaworski (10 points), Leo O'Boyle (18 points), and Justin Vander Baan (10 points).
#1. Justin Jaworski, a 6'3'' guard who graduated from Lafayette in 2021 and received the All-Patriot League Scholar-Athlete of the Year award, is currently playing professionally in Spain. In his first season with Surne Bilbao Basket, he recently faced Lleida in a crucial game that unfortunately ended in a 81-90 loss for Bilbao. Despite Jaworski's solid performance of scoring 10 points and contributing 4 assists in 23 minutes, his team could not secure the victory. With only four games remaining in the Regular Season, each match becomes increasingly important for Jaworski and his team. Throughout the season, Jaworski has maintained respectable statistics, averaging 12.5 points, 1.3 rebounds, and 1.2 assists per game over the course of 31 games played so far. Despite the recent loss, Jaworski's dedication and skills on the court continue to make him a key player for Surne Bilbao Basket as they strive towards their goals in the league.
#2. Leo O'Boyle, a 25-year-old 6'7'' forward and Nittany Lions alumni from 2024, previously played for Lafayette between 2019 and 2023 before venturing into professional basketball in Holland. Despite his impressive performance in the recent game, where he emerged as the top scorer with 18 points, along with 6 rebounds, 4 assists, and 3 steals in 37 minutes, he couldn't prevent his team Leeuwarden from suffering a heavy 118-90 defeat on the road against the much higher-ranked (#3) Okapi Aalst. This marked Leeuwarden's fourth consecutive loss in the BNXT League. Even though it was O'Boyle's first season with the team, he showcased his skills with consistent performances throughout the season. He maintained good statistics, averaging 14.0 points, 4.0 rebounds, 2.0 assists, and 1.1 steals per game in 28 appearances. Despite the challenging outcome in the final game, O'Boyle's dedication and talent on the court have been notable, especially considering it's only his second year in professional basketball.
#3. Justin Vander Baan, a 7'0'' center who graduated from Lafayette in 2025 and received the All-Patriot League Defensive Player of the Year award, currently plays professionally in Sweden. In a recent game, he played a pivotal role in Boras' 88-84 victory over the closely-ranked Norrkoping. Vander Baan showcased his skills by scoring 10 points and securing 9 rebounds during his 34 minutes on the court. This matchup was highly anticipated as it featured two top 4 ranked teams in the league, with Boras Basket currently holding the fourth position. Throughout the season, Vander Baan has maintained solid averages of 8.5 points, 7.9 rebounds, 1.2 assists, and 1.3 blocks per game across 46 games. His stellar performance as a champion player has been instrumental in leading his team to success on the court.
#4. Experienced Australian Daniel Trist, a 6'9'' forward at 33 years old, who is an alumnus of Leopards from 2015 where he helped them become the champion of the Patriot League Tournament, currently plays professionally in Australia. Recently, he led the Frankston Blues to a thrilling 104-100 victory over the seventh-ranked Thunder in the Australian NBL One, the second division league. Trist's remarkable performance earned him the title of MVP of the game, as he showcased his skills by scoring an impressive 29 points and securing 5 rebounds in just 31 minutes of play. Trist's impact goes beyond just one game; he has been a key player for the Frankston Blues for the past five seasons. His leadership was evident in a recent match against Keilor T., where he once again shined with 29 points, 5 rebounds, and 1 assist, ultimately leading his team to another triumph. His consistent stellar performances highlight his abilities as a true champion on the court. Throughout the season, Trist has maintained high statistics, averaging 19.9 points, 8.8 rebounds, and 2.6 assists per game over 10 appearances. His exceptional contributions and impressive stats underscore his importance to the team and reinforce his reputation as a top-tier finalist in the league.
#5. Seth Hinrichs, a 6'7'' power forward who graduated from Lafayette in 2015, is currently playing professionally in Germany. Recently, he made a notable contribution to EWE Baskets Oldenburg's 93-84 victory over Braunschweig, one of the weaker teams in the German easyCredit BBL. Despite scoring just 6 points in 20 minutes of play, Hinrichs played a crucial role in his team's win. EWE Baskets Oldenburg, currently in 11th place with a record of 16-18, secured their third consecutive victory with this win, showcasing Hinrichs' capabilities as a champion player. In the game against Braunschweig, Hinrichs demonstrated his skills by scoring 6 points, grabbing 1 rebound, and providing 1 assist. His performance was instrumental in helping his team emerge victorious. Throughout the season, Hinrichs has maintained an average of 4.7 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 1.8 assists per game in 34 appearances. His consistent contributions on the court highlight his value as a champion player and a key asset to his team.
Other former Lafayette College players, who play in pro basketball:
E.J. Stephens (6'3''-G-1999, played in 2017-21) played for Newcastle Falcons in Australian NBL One few monts ago
Luka Savikjevikj (6'3''-G-2002, played in 2023-25) plays for Feniks 2010 in North Macedonian Super League
Myles Cherry (6'8''-F-1998, played in 2016-20) plays for Maitland Mustangs in Australian NBL One
Notice: The list above includes only some of alumni playing currently in pro basketball. Check complete list of Lafayette College basketball alumni.
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