Courtesy of Eurobasket LLC Every week we bring you a list of the top former Bulldogs players who continue their career in pro basketball.
Look at great performance of Rylan Jones (25 points), Jermaine Marshall (14 points), and Josh Sharkey (7 points).
#1. Rylan Jones, a 6'0'' point guard who graduated from Samford in 2025, is currently playing professionally in New Zealand. Recently, he showcased his skills by leading the Southland Sharks to a thrilling victory over the closely-ranked Airs with a score of 82-74 in the New Zealand National Basketball League. In this game, Jones delivered an outstanding performance and was named the MVP, demonstrating his prowess on the court. Impressively, Jones achieved a double-double by scoring 25 points and grabbing 12 rebounds, while also contributing 4 assists and 5 steals in 38 minutes of play. This remarkable display of talent is even more noteworthy considering that Jones is in his first season of professional basketball. The Southland Sharks, currently placed third in the league with a record of 5-2, have benefited greatly from Jones' contributions, with this victory marking their fourth consecutive win. Jones' stellar performance against the Airs not only secured the win for his team but also earned him the Triple-Double Badge from eurobasket.com, underscoring his status as a champion player. His impressive season statistics further highlight his impact, averaging 15.4 points, 7.6 rebounds, 6.1 assists, and 2.4 steals per game in the seven games he has played so far. Jones' exceptional abilities and consistent performance throughout the season position him as a standout finalist in the league.
#2. Jermaine Marshall, a 6'6'' forward and 26-year-old Bulldogs alumni from the class of 2024, made a significant impact in the Finnish Korisliiga as he led his team, Joensuun Kataja, to a crucial victory over Vilpas, the league leader with a record of 22-10. In the game, Marshall displayed his talent by recording a double-double with 14 points and 12 rebounds in just 20 minutes of play. This remarkable performance is even more impressive considering that Marshall is only in his second season of professional basketball. The matchup between Kataja and Vilpas was highly anticipated as both teams were among the top 3 in the group standings of Places 7-12. With the win, Kataja improved to a record of 17-15 and claimed the top spot in the group. This victory marked the third consecutive win for Marshall's team, showcasing their strong form in the league. Despite it being Marshall's first year with the team, he has already proven himself as a key player with his consistent high-level performances. His stellar stats for the season include averaging 15.8 points, 8.4 rebounds, 1.2 assists, and 1.3 steals per game over 40 games. Marshall's exceptional contributions on the court have rightfully earned him recognition as a champion player, exemplified by receiving the Triple-Double Badge from eurobasket.com.
#3. Josh Sharkey, a 5'9'' point guard who graduated from Samford in 2020 and earned an All-SoCon Third Team award that year, showcased his skills in a recent game in the Dominican Republic Liga Nacional de Baloncesto. Playing for Caneros, he made a significant impact in their 80-78 victory over the league-leading Metros, who had a record of 9-2. In this crucial matchup between two top 4 ranked teams, Sharkey contributed 7 points and 4 assists in 28 minutes of play, highlighting his versatility and playmaking abilities. This game marked his debut for Caneros this season, and his performance helped lift his team to victory, solidifying his reputation as a champion on the court. With his impressive display of scoring, passing, and overall contribution, Sharkey proved to be a key player for Caneros as they aim for success in the league.
#4. Canadian Jaden Campbell, a 6'5'' guard and 26-year-old Bulldogs alumni from 2024, played a crucial role in helping his team clinch the SoCon Regular Season Champion title that year. Currently playing professionally in Australia, Campbell recently faced a tough match with the Ballarat Miners (1-8) against the Braves, who are ranked #8 in the South group. Despite his commendable performance where he scored 16 points and delivered 5 assists in 30 minutes, the 18th-placed Ballarat Miners suffered a 83-94 defeat on the road, marking their seventh consecutive loss. In another game against Bendigo B, Campbell showcased his skills by contributing 16 points, 1 rebound, and 5 assists, although his team fell short of securing the win. Individually, Campbell has been having a standout season with impressive statistics, averaging 17.5 points, 3.9 rebounds, 1.6 assists, and 1.1 steals per game across eight games.
#5. Experienced champion Raijon Kelly, a 6'4'' guard at 33 years old, who graduated from Angelo St. in 2015 but played at Samford between 2011 and 2014 before turning pro in France, demonstrated his skills by leading Berck to a thrilling 81-77 victory over the 13th-ranked Les Sables in the French Nationale Masculine 1 (third division) last Friday. In a remarkable display, Kelly, the finalist from Angelo St., was named the MVP of the game after scoring 18 points, grabbing 2 rebounds, and dishing out 5 assists in just 32 minutes of play. Berck/Rang du Fliers, where Kelly currently plays, holds the seventh position in Group A, with a record of 24 wins and 15 losses. Kelly's stellar performance against Les Sables marked his team's third consecutive victory, highlighting his impact as a champion. This win was particularly significant as it was achieved in Kelly's first season with the team, showcasing his immediate influence and talent on the court. Despite the challenging competition, Kelly has excelled individually throughout the season, averaging 15.1 points, 3.1 rebounds, 6.6 assists (the second-best in the league), and 1.1 steals per game over 36 games. His consistent high-level performance underscores his status as a finalist and his valuable contribution to Berck's success in the league.
Other former Samford University players, who play in pro basketball:
Ruben Guerrero (7'0''-C-1995, played in 2017-17) plays for MoraBanc Andorra in Spanish Liga Endesa
Stefan Lakic (6'7''-F-1995, played in 2017-19) plays for Dynamic VP in Serbian KLS
Alexander Thompson (6'8''-F/C-1995, played in 2015-15) played for Ovarense in Portuguese Liga Betclic few monts ago
Jacob Tryon (6'11''-C-1998, played in 2020-22) played for West Adelaide Bearcats in Australian NBL One last year
Eric Adams (6'8''-C-1995, played in 2013-14) plays for Massagno in Swiss SBL
Jamal Shabazz (6'6''-F/G-1994, played in 2014-16) played for Austin Bats in the ABA last year
Garrett Hicks (6'0''-PG-2001, played in 2023-24) plays for EPG Guardians Koblenz in German ProA
Notice: The list above includes only some of alumni playing currently in pro basketball. Check complete list of Samford University basketball alumni.
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