Courtesy of Eurobasket LLC Every week we bring you a list of the top former Purple Eagles players who continue their career in pro basketball.
Notice impressive performance of Marcus Hammond (21 points), Jhaylon Martinez (17 points), and Jordan Cintron (2 points).
#1. Marcus Hammond, a 6'3'' guard who graduated from Notre Dame in 2023, has been making waves in the professional basketball scene in France. Despite playing for Niagara between 2018 and 2022, Hammond's talent was recognized with an All-MAAC First Team award. Currently playing for Union Poitiers Basket 86 in the French ELITE 2 league, Hammond recently showcased his skills in a thrilling game against Saint-Quentin. In a nail-biting match, Hammond led his team to a 100-96 victory over Saint-Quentin, earning himself the title of MVP. With an impressive stat line of 21 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 assists in just 33 minutes of play, Hammond proved his prowess on the court. This remarkable performance is even more remarkable considering he is only in his third season of professional basketball. Union Poitiers Basket 86, with a record of 24-14, currently sits in fifth place in the league standings, thanks in part to Hammond's contributions. His season averages of 15.4 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 3.7 assists per game showcase his consistency and skill on the court, solidifying his reputation as a true champion in the making.
#2. In the recent game, Jhaylon Martinez, a 24-year-old 6'11'' center and alummi of Purple Eagles (2025), who currently plays professionally in Australia, was unable to lift the struggling South West Slammers (1-10) to victory. Despite Martinez's commendable performance, where he scored 17 points and grabbed 6 rebounds in just 25 minutes of play, the 14th-placed SW Slammers suffered a tough 99-77 defeat on the road against the higher-ranked (#10) Lightning in the West group. This loss marked South West Slammers' tenth consecutive defeat of the season. Martinez showcased his skills with an impressive scoring display against Lakeside L., contributing significantly to the team with 17 points and 6 rebounds. His statistics for the season so far reflect consistent performance, averaging 12.8 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 1.5 assists per game in the 11 games he has played. It is noteworthy that Martinez, in his debut season in professional basketball, has been able to maintain relatively good stats. Moreover, Martinez's participation in the Eurobasket Summer League has been instrumental in securing his position in the professional basketball realm. Despite the recent setbacks, Martinez's talent and determination as a player indicate promising potential for future success as he continues to evolve in his career as a champion.
#3. Jordan Cintron, a 6'8'' forward who graduated from Niagara in 2022, has been excelling in the Puerto Rican Baloncesto Superior Nacional. Despite only scoring 2 points in 9 minutes during a recent game, he played a crucial role in leading Vaqueros de Bayamon to a narrow 80-79 victory over the third-ranked Gigantes. This matchup was a highly anticipated clash between two top-ranked teams in Group B, with Vaqueros de Bayamon currently holding the top spot with a record of 15-9. Cintron's contribution was not limited to scoring; he also managed to grab 1 rebound in another game against Carolina, helping his team secure the win and ultimately become the champion. With an average of 5.7 points and 1.7 rebounds per game over the course of 20 games this season, Cintron has been a valuable asset to his team. It is noteworthy that Cintron holds both American and Puerto Rican citizenship, allowing him to play as a domestic player in Puerto Rico. His achievements, including being named to the Latinbasket.com Puerto Rican BSN All-Rookie Team, highlight his potential as a rising star in the league.
#4. Canadian Olumide Adelodun, a 22-year-old guard standing at 6'5'' and an alum of Purple Eagles from 2025 who helped them reach the final of CEBL that year, currently plays professionally in Canada. In a recent game, despite his notable performance, Adelodun could not prevent the Calgary Surge (0-4) from losing to the Bandits with a final score of 101-111 in Langley. Adelodun showcased his skills by being the second-highest scorer of the game with 19 points and contributing 5 rebounds during his 31 minutes on the court. The Calgary Surge has faced defeat in all four games of the Regular Season thus far. However, given that it is still early in the season, there is potential for a turnaround. In a previous game against Vancouver, Adelodun displayed an impressive performance by scoring 19 points, securing 5 rebounds, and distributing 2 assists. Despite his individual efforts, his team was unable to secure a victory. Throughout the season, Adelodun has maintained solid statistics, averaging 14.0 points per game, 4.5 rebounds per game, and 1.5 steals per game in the four games he has played.
#5. James Towns, a 28-year-old point guard standing at 5'10" and a graduate of Niagara University in 2020, showcased his skills as a professional player in the TBL. In a recent game, he led the Tri-City Tide to a 107-98 victory over the Halifax Hoopers with an impressive performance. Towns scored 18 points, facilitated 4 passes, and recorded 3 steals during the game, displaying his versatility on the court. Despite the Tri-City Tide holding a somewhat weak 20-3 record this season, Towns has been instrumental in his team's success, leading them to their ninth consecutive victory. This winning streak has been crucial for the team as they head towards the final game of the regular season, which holds significant importance for their standing in the league. In a standout game against the Halifax Hoopers, Towns once again proved his value by contributing 18 points, 2 rebounds, and 4 assists. His exceptional performance was pivotal in securing the victory for his team, solidifying his position as the champion of the game. Throughout the season, Towns has maintained solid statistics, averaging 13.9 points, 3.0 rebounds, 4.9 assists, and 2.0 steals per game in the seven games he has played so far. His consistent contributions have been crucial to the Tri-City Tide's success, making him a key player to watch as they approach the final stages of the season.
Other former Niagara University players, who play in pro basketball:
Sam Iorio (6'7''-F-1998, played in 2021-23) plays for Hapoel Altshuler Shaham Beer Sheva in Israeli Winner League
Yaw Obeng-Mensah (6'8''-PF-2000, played in 2023-24) plays for Rogaska in Slovenian Liga OTP banka
Justice Smith (6'6''-G, played in 2024-25) plays for Pyrinto in Finnish Korisliiga
Chris Barton (6'3''-G-1996, played in 2015-19) plays for Delta in Georgian Superleague
Luke Bumbalough (6'1''-G, played in 2023-24) played for Maia Basket in Portuguese Proliga few monts ago
Kahlil Dukes (6'0''-G-1995, played in 2015-15) plays for Kocaeli in Turkish TBL
Alioune Tew (6'9''-C-1992, played in 2017-18) played for V Islanders in Vietnamese D2 last year
Notice: The list above includes only some of alumni playing currently in pro basketball. Check complete list of Niagara University basketball alumni.
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Ex-Players
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