Courtesy of Eurobasket LLC We bring you last week's top former Chaparrals players who are currently playing in pro basketball.
Notice impressive performance of Torren Jones (22 points), Daeshon Francis (10 points), and Kayo Manfio (9 points).
#1. Torren Jones, a 6'9'' forward/center who is 31 years old, graduated from William Penn in 2017 but also played at Midland CC between 2014 and 2015. Currently, he is a professional player in Mexico. Despite his impressive performance, Jones could not carry his team, the Caballeros de Culiacan (18-22), to victory in their last game against the Ostioneros de Guaymas, one of the league's weakest teams (#10), resulting in a 96-106 loss on the road. In the game, Jones showcased his skills by recording a double-double with 22 points and 21 rebounds, along with 3 steals, in 39 minutes of play. Even though Culiacan lost, Jones' exceptional performance did not go unnoticed, earning him the 20+ Rebound badge from eurobasket.com and solidifying his reputation as a champion player. Throughout the Regular Season, Jones has had an outstanding year individually, boasting impressive stats. He currently averages 18.3 points per game (fourth best in the league), 8.8 rebounds per game (second best in the league), along with 1.4 assists and 1.2 steals per game in the 39 games he has played thus far. His consistent high-level performance highlights his prowess as a finalist player in the league.
#2. Daeshon Francis, a 6'4'' guard and 30-year-old Falcons alumni from 2018, showcased his basketball prowess in a recent Israeli Winner League game where he helped Bnei Hertzeliya secure a narrow 108-107 victory over the 12th-ranked E.Netanya. Despite only scoring 10 points and providing 3 assists in 27 minutes of play, his impact on the game was undeniable. Playing professionally in Israel, Francis has been a standout performer for Bnei Hertzeliya, currently placed third in the league with a record of 17-7. With only two games remaining in the Regular Season, every match is crucial for the team's standings. In the recent game against E. Netanya, Francis displayed exceptional skills by contributing not only points and assists but also grabbing 3 rebounds. His all-around performance was instrumental in leading his team to victory over their opponents. Throughout the season, Francis has maintained solid averages of 9.4 points, 4.5 rebounds, 4.1 assists, and 1.2 steals per game in the 17 games he has played so far. As a key player for Bnei Hertzeliya, his consistent contributions have been vital in propelling the team towards success in the league.
#3. Brazilian champion Kayo Manfio, a 6'8'' forward aged 26, who graduated in the USA in 2022, previously played at Midland CC between 2016 and 2018 before turning pro in Brazil. Despite his best efforts, Manfio, playing for Clube de Regatas do Flamengo with a record of 28-10, could not lead his team to victory against Brasilia, the finalist, in the Brazilian Novo Basquete Brasil. In a closely contested match, Manfio scored 9 points, grabbed 8 rebounds, and provided 1 assist in 23 minutes of gameplay. Unfortunately, Clube de Regatas do Flamengo fell short, losing 72-69 to the higher-ranked (#4) Brasilia on their home court. Throughout the season, Manfio has maintained an average of 6.6 points per game and 2.8 rebounds per game across 40 games. His dedication and talent have been evident in his consistent performance on the court, despite the challenging competition faced by his team.
#4. Steven Richardson, a 6'7'' guard and 25-year-old standout from the Yellowjackets alumni of 2024, has been making waves in the professional basketball scene in Australia. Despite his earlier stint at Midland CC between 2019 and 2022, Richardson has quickly risen through the ranks to become a force to be reckoned with. In a recent game where his team, Townsville Heat, faced off against the Phoenix in the North group, Richardson's skills were on full display. Despite the team's loss, Richardson showcased his prowess by delivering a stellar performance. He managed to secure a double-double, scoring an impressive 22 points and grabbing 16 rebounds, while also contributing 3 assists and 2 blocks in 39 minutes of gameplay. This remarkable display highlighted Richardson's potential and marked only his second season in professional basketball. Earning accolades such as the Triple-Double Badge from eurobasket.com, Richardson's exceptional abilities have solidified his status as a true champion. With an impressive season averaging 18.6 points, 8.6 rebounds, 3.0 assists, and 1.4 steals per game in five appearances, Richardson is proving to be a formidable player in the league. As the season progresses, Richardson's talent and dedication may lead him to even greater heights in the world of basketball.
#5. Experienced Egyptian athlete Aly Ahmed, standing at 6'9'' and 34 years old, is a seasoned player who graduated from CSUB in 2016 after playing for Midland CC between 2012 and 2013. Currently, he competes professionally in Egypt. Despite his efforts, Aly Ahmed, representing Al Ittihad Alexandria (14-1), was unable to lead his team to victory against Al Ahly Cairo (12-3) in the Egyptian Superleague. In the closely contested match, Ahmed contributed 7 points and 5 rebounds in 24 minutes of play. The top-seeded Al Ittihad Alexandria suffered a narrow 77-76 defeat in Cairo at the hands of the second-ranked Al Ahly in the crucial Places 1-8 group matchup. This marks Ahmed's eighth season with the team, showcasing his longstanding commitment and dedication. Despite the loss, Aly Ahmed's performance on the court exemplified that of a champion, scoring 7 points and securing 5 rebounds against the formidable opponent, Al Ahly. Throughout this season, he has maintained an average of 6.2 points per game and 3.7 rebounds per game across 16 appearances.
#6. In a thrilling match on Saturday night, the 26-year-old South Sudanese champion Malith Machar, standing tall at 6'8'' and an alum of Chaparrals from 2020, showcased his exceptional skills by leading Sandringham Sabres to victory over the 15th-ranked Ringwood Hawks in the Australian NBL One, the second division of the league. Machar's stellar performance on the court earned him the title of MVP of the game, as he contributed significantly to his team's impressive 98-89 win. During the game, Machar demonstrated his prowess by scoring 21 points and making 2 crucial blocks in the 32 minutes he played. His remarkable performance included grabbing 3 rebounds, further highlighting his impact on the court and solidifying his position as a finalist. Throughout the season, Machar has consistently delivered outstanding performances, averaging 19.6 points, 4.1 rebounds, 1.4 assists, and 1.3 blocks per game over seven games. Notably, Machar holds dual American and South Sudanese citizenship, allowing him to play in South Sudan as a domestic player. His exceptional skills and contributions to Sandringham Sabres have undoubtedly made him a standout champion in the Australian basketball scene.
#7. Australian champion Daniel Poelsma, a 6'8'' forward who is 22 years old and graduated from Midland CC in 2026, showcased his skills in the last game for Diamond Valley Eagles. Despite his remarkable effort, the 16th-placed Diamond V.E. were unable to secure a victory as they were defeated 107-78 by the 10th-ranked Chargers in the South group in Hobart. Poelsma delivered an impressive performance by scoring 14 points, grabbing 8 rebounds, and dishing out 1 assist in 24 minutes of play against the Chargers. His contributions were notable, but unfortunately, his team was unable to overcome the strong opposition. Throughout the season, Poelsma has maintained solid statistics, averaging 12.2 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 1.4 assists per game in the 11 games played so far. His consistent performance demonstrates his value as a key player for the Diamond Valley Eagles.
#8. In the recent game, Belizean champion Glency Lopez, a 5'11'' point guard and 28-year-old Chaparrals alumnus from 2020 who currently plays professionally in Belize, unfortunately could not lead his team, Cayo Western Ballers (6-4), to victory. Despite Lopez's stellar performance, the Western Ballers were narrowly defeated 79-78 in Belize City by the formidable Defenders, the reigning finalists. Lopez displayed his skills by scoring 16 points, grabbing 6 rebounds, dishing out 4 assists, and making 6 steals in 35 minutes of gameplay. His impressive individual performance was highlighted by his contributions on both ends of the court. Although Lopez's efforts were commendable, the Western Ballers fell short against the Defenders in a closely contested match. Throughout the season, Lopez has maintained high statistics, showcasing his value on the court. He is averaging 15.9 points per game, 3.7 rebounds per game, 4.7 assists per game (ranking third in the league), and 2.4 steals per game (ranking fourth in the league) over the course of 10 games. Lopez's consistent performance and all-around contributions have solidified his reputation as a top player in the league.
#9. Kirk Smith, a 6'8'' forward who is 26 years old and a McLennan CC graduate from 2022, displayed his basketball prowess in a recent game for his team in the Belize Elite Basketball League. Despite previously playing for Midland CC between 2019 and 2020, he now competes professionally in Belize. In a match against the closely-ranked Running Rebels, Smith played a crucial role in his team's dominant 85-65 victory on a Saturday night. He showcased his versatility by scoring 6 points, securing 6 rebounds, and providing 5 assists in just 27 minutes of play. His performance against the Running Rebels highlighted his abilities as a champion on the court. Throughout the game, Smith's impact was undeniable as he contributed significantly to his team's success, ultimately leading them to a decisive win. His consistent performance throughout the season is evident from his impressive average stats of 11.8 points per game, 6.3 rebounds per game, and 2.0 assists per game over four games. It is also worth noting that Kirk Smith holds both American and Belizean citizenship, allowing him to play in Belize as a domestic player. As a key player for his team, his contributions and skills make him a standout finalist in the Belizean Belize Elite Basketball League.
#10. Sudanese player Majok Majok, standing at 6'11'' and playing as a forward/center, is a 33-year-old athlete who previously represented the Cardinals in 2014 after attending Midland CC from 2010 to 2012. Currently, he competes professionally in Australia. In a recent match, Majok was unable to assist the Albury Wodonga Bandits, who are considered outsiders in the league, to secure a victory against the Sharks. His performance in this game, where he only scored 2 points in 15 minutes, fell below his usual standards. The Bandits suffered a significant loss with a 17-point difference, the final score being 111-94 in favor of the opposing team. Despite the defeat, Majok showed some contribution in another game against Sutherland S., where he managed to score 2 points, grab 2 rebounds, and provide 2 assists. Unfortunately, his individual efforts were not enough to secure a win for his team. Throughout this season, Majok has been averaging 6.8 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 1.4 assists per game over nine matches. It is interesting to note that Majok holds dual citizenship, being both American and Sudanese, which allows him to play in Sudan as a domestic player.
Other former Midland College players, who play in pro basketball:
Ilija Varajic (6'6''-F-2002, played in 2024-25) plays for Sutjeska in Montenegrin Erste Liga
Jordan Jackson (6'3''-G-1997, played in 2016-17) played for Windy City Bulls in the NBA G League few monts ago
Dontay Caruthers (6'1''-G-1995, played in 2014-15) plays for KK Bosna Meridianbet Sarajevo in Bosnia and Herzegovina Division I
Derrick Ogechi (6'3''-G-1998, played in 2018-20) plays for Thunder in Kenyan Premier League
Thomas Miles (6'3''-G-1998, played in 2019-20) plays for P.Olimpas in Lithuanian NKL
Elias Poorman (6'4''-G-2000, played in 2019-20) plays for Reading Rockets in British BCB
Ben Tew (6'9''-F-1994, played in 2019-20) plays for Yorkshire Dragons in British BCB
Kevin Kangu (6'4''-G-1998, played in 2017-18) plays for Satya Wacana in Indonesian IBL
Daviin Davis (6'4''-G/F-1985, played in 2005-06) played for Dourges in French NM2 last year
Matteo Tersillo (6'6''-G/F-2001, played in 2023-24) played for Termoli AirBskt in Italian Serie B Interregionale last year
Elijah Lufile (6'7''-F/C-1997, played in 2018-19) plays for GS Ermis Shimatariou in Greek Elite League
Jachai Simmons (6'7''-SF-1996, played in 2015-17) played for Fire Family in the The Basketball Tournament last year
Norbertas Giga (6'10''-F/C-1995, played in 2015-16) plays for Colonias in Paraguayan LNB
Bryant Evans (6'2''-G) played for Texas Seraphim in the ABA last year
Erkam Kiris (6'8''-F-1998, played in 2017-18) played for Zuera in Spanish 1Div last year
Liam Davis (6'7''-F-1997, played in 2024-25) plays for Kissimmee Lambs in the TBL
Grant Weatherford (6'2''-G-1996, played in 2016-17) plays for Hamilton County Huskers in the TBL
Nyaduoth Lok (5'11''-G-2000, played in 2019-21) plays for Casey Cavaliers in Australian NBL One
Jamil Bowles (6'5''-G/F-2003, played in 2022-23) plays for Semedes in Costa Rican LSB
Jonathon Simmons (6'6''-G-1989, played in 2009-10) played for Boston Ball Hogs in the Big3 last year
Trent Johnson (6'6''-F, played in 2021-23) plays for Montreal Alliance in CEBL
Notice: The list above includes only some of alumni playing currently in pro basketball. Check complete list of Midland College basketball alumni.
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