Courtesy of Eurobasket LLC Here is the weekly review of the top performing Orange alumni, who are currently playing in pro basketball.
#1. Brittney Sykes, a 5'9'' point guard who is 32 years old and graduated from Syracuse University in 2017, currently plays professionally in the WNBA. In a recent game, despite her stellar performance, she could not lead the Toronto Tempo (5-4) to a victory. The Toronto Tempo, ranked #3, suffered a close 104-111 defeat in a derby match against the Toronto T.. Sykes showcased her skills by scoring 20 points, grabbing 6 rebounds, and playing for 35 minutes. However, it is still early in the season, and there is potential for the team to bounce back. In a different game, Sykes displayed her prowess on the court by scoring an impressive 20 points, grabbing 6 rebounds, and dishing out 2 assists against the Chicago Sky. Her exceptional performance was instrumental in leading her team to victory, establishing her as a champion in that game. Throughout the season, Sykes has maintained high individual statistics, averaging 20.6 points per game (ranking fourth in the league), along with 4.0 rebounds, 4.4 assists, and 1.3 steals per game in the eight games she has participated in so far.
#2. Dyaisha Fair, a 5'5'' point guard and 24-year-old Orange alumna from the class of 2024, played a crucial role in helping her team reach the Arab Club Championship Finalist in that same year. Currently playing professionally in Mexico, Fair recently faced a tough matchup with her team, the Panteras, against the Adelitas. Despite her remarkable performance, the Panteras, who were leading the league with a 14-2 record, suffered an 82-86 defeat on the road to the Adelitas, who were ranked third at the time. Fair showcased her skills by scoring 16 points, distributing 5 assists, and making 3 steals during the game, all within 34 minutes of play. Her impressive performance was instrumental in keeping her team competitive, especially considering that she is only in her second season in professional basketball. Fair's standout contributions on the court established her as the champion of the game, even though her team did not emerge victorious. Throughout the season, Fair has maintained solid statistics, averaging 13.4 points, 4.4 rebounds, 5.1 assists (ranking third in the league), and 2.0 steals (also ranking third in the league) in the 26 games she has played so far. Her consistent performance and all-around contributions highlight her potential to become a future champion in the league.
#3. Australian champion Georgia Woolley, a 6'0'' guard aged 23 who graduated from Syracuse in 2025 and now plays professionally in Australia, recently showcased her skills on the court. Despite her best efforts, Woolley was unable to lead the North Gold Coast Seahawks (2-5) to victory against the Thunder (6-1) in the Australian NBL One North, the second division of the league. In the game, she contributed significantly, scoring 8 points, grabbing 6 rebounds, providing 4 assists, and recording 3 steals in 27 minutes of play. Unfortunately, the tenth-placed North Gold Coast Seahawks suffered a tough 85-66 loss to the higher-ranked (#4) Thunder in Loganholme. Although Woolley delivered an impressive performance individually, scoring 8 points, securing 6 rebounds, and distributing 4 assists against Logan T., her team fell short in securing the win. Despite the challenges faced by her team, Woolley has been having a standout season, boasting impressive averages of 22.3 points, 6.3 rebounds, 4.0 assists, and 2.7 steals per game over six games.
#4. Emily Engstler, a 6'1'' forward and 26-year-old Cardinals alumna from the class of 2022, showcased her basketball prowess in the WNBA. Despite playing for Syracuse from 2018 to 2021, Engstler's skills have now transitioned to the professional level. In a recent game, she led the Portland Fire to a resounding victory over the Indiana Fever with a final score of 100-84. During the game, Engstler displayed an impressive performance, securing a double-double with 16 points and 10 rebounds. Additionally, she contributed 4 assists, 2 blocks, and 4 steals in just 29 minutes of play. Her exceptional abilities on the court were instrumental in securing the win for her team, further highlighting her status as a champion in the sport. Despite the Portland Fire holding a relatively modest 6-4 record this season, Engstler continues to shine. Her statistics speak to her impact on the game, with an average of 9.5 points, 3.9 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 2.4 blocks (leading the league), and 1.5 steals per game over the course of 10 games. Engstler's consistent performance and contributions make her a formidable force in the league, solidifying her reputation as a finalist.
Other former Syracuse University players, who play in pro basketball:
Kayla Alexander (6'4''-C-1991, played in 2009-13) plays for Valencia in Spanish LF Endesa
Digna Strautmane (6'2''-F-1998, played in 2017-21) plays for Wroclaw in Polish OBLK
Izabel Varejao (6'4''-C-1999, played in 2023-25) plays for Partizan in Serbian 1 ZLS
Alexis Peterson (5'8''-PG-1995, played in 2013-17) plays for Villeneuve in French LFB
Cornelia Fondren (5'8''-G-1993, played in 2012-16) plays for Scrivia in Italian Serie A1
Dominique Camp (5'8''-G, played in 2023-25) plays for Bodrum in Turkish TKBL
Dariauna Lewis (6'1''-F-2000, played in 2022-23) played for Leonas de Ponce in Puerto Rican BSNF few monts ago
Carmen Tyson-Thomas (5'9''-F/C-1991, played in 2009-13) plays for ToPo in Finnish Korisliiga
Asia Strong (6'2''-F-2000, played in 2022-23) plays for Al Ahly in Egyptian Superleague
Tiana Mangakahia (5'6''-PG-1995, played in 2017-19) played for Southern Districts Spartans in Australian NBL One last year
Alaina Rice (5'8''-G-2002, played in 2021-24) plays for Bihorel in French LF2
Gabby Cooper (5'10''-G, played in 2016-20) plays for Correcaminos in Mexican LNBPF
Notice: The list above includes only some of alumni playing currently in pro basketball. Check complete list of Syracuse University basketball alumni.
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