Courtesy of Eurobasket LLC Here is the weekly review of the top performing Trojans alumni, who are currently playing in pro basketball.
Especially interesting is good performance of Aamer Muhammad (29 points), Wesley Person Jr. (14 points), and Zay Williams (12 points).
#1. In a thrilling game on Saturday night, Aamer Muhammad, a 24-year-old guard standing tall at 6'1'' and a Troy University graduate of 2024, showcased his talent as he led Sloga KR to a resounding 104-84 victory over the 14th-ranked Mladost ZE in the Serbian Meridianbet Kosarkaska lige Srbije. This impressive win solidified Muhammad's position as a key player on the team. He was named the Most Valuable Player of the game for his exceptional performance. Muhammad's impact on the court was undeniable as he not only scored an impressive 29 points but also demonstrated his playmaking skills by distributing 11 assists, securing a double-double in just 39 minutes of play. This remarkable feat is particularly noteworthy considering he is only in his second season of professional basketball. KK Sloga Societe Generale Kraljevo, currently placed fourth in the league with an 18-10 record, is gearing up for the final stretch of the Regular Season with only two games remaining. Every game now holds significant importance as teams jostle for playoff positions. Muhammad's consistent performance throughout the season is reflected in his solid statistics, averaging 13.2 points, 2.8 rebounds, 3.8 assists, and 1.2 steals per game. His contribution to the team's success has been instrumental, showcasing his potential to emerge as a champion in the league.
#2. Wesley Person Jr., a 6'3'' guard and 30-year-old Trojans alumnus from 2018, who received the All-Sun Belt Third Team award that year, currently plays professionally in the Czech Republic. In a recent game, he was a key player in Opava's dominant victory over NH Ostrava, with a final score of 100-68 in the Czech Republic Maxa NBL. Person Jr. showcased his skills as a champion by contributing 14 points and 3 assists in just 21 minutes on the court. BK Opava, with a record of 18-18, holds the fifth position in the Places 1-8 group. Their upcoming game in the Second Stage holds great importance for the team's prospects. Person Jr.'s exceptional performance against NH Ostrava, where he not only scored but also secured a rebound and provided assists, was crucial in securing the win for his team, highlighting his capabilities as a finalist player. Throughout the season, Person Jr. has maintained impressive statistics, averaging 17.8 points per game, along with 3.0 rebounds and 1.7 assists. His consistent performance and valuable contributions on the court exemplify his status as a champion player.
#3. Zay Williams, a 6'11'' forward who graduated from Troy in 2023 and received the All-Sun Belt Second Team award that year, is currently playing professionally in Montenegro. In a recent game, he played a key role in leading KK Sutjeska to a resounding 99-74 victory over Lovcen in the Montenegrin Erste Liga. Despite facing a closely-ranked opponent, Sutjeska emerged victorious, thanks in part to Williams' performance. During the game, Williams showcased his skills by scoring 12 points, making 3 rebounds, and providing 1 assist in just 23 minutes of play. This stellar performance helped solidify Sutjeska's position as the top-ranked team in the league with a record of 21-5. Notably, this is Williams' debut season with the team, and his impact has been significant, with an average of 9.1 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks per game - making him the third-best shot blocker in the league. By contributing effectively in the game against Lovcen, Williams not only helped secure the victory but also demonstrated his capability as a champion. His all-around performance on the court has been instrumental in positioning him as a standout player in the league, with the potential to lead his team to further success as they strive to become the ultimate finalist.
#4. Darius McNeill, a 6'3'' guard and 27-year-old Trojans alum from the class of 2023, showcased his skills in the Dominican Republic Liga Nacional de Baloncesto. Playing professionally for Reales, McNeill made a significant impact in his first game of the season. In a thrilling match against Caneros, one of the league's struggling teams, McNeill's performance was pivotal in leading his team to a narrow 105-102 victory. Despite playing only 11 minutes, McNeill managed to contribute 11 points, demonstrating his scoring prowess. His efforts on the court, including a crucial assist and a rebound, were instrumental in securing the win for Reales. This victory propelled his team to a promising fourth place in the league standings. As the season is still in its early stages, McNeill's performance serves as a testament to the unpredictable nature of sports. With his skill and determination, there is potential for further success as the season progresses. In this game, McNeill's impactful play helped Reales emerge as the champion, setting a positive tone for the team's future in the competition.
#5. Nick Stampley, a 6'4'' forward aged 26, who graduated from Troy in 2022 and currently plays professionally in Belgium, recently faced a tough challenge as his team, Kangoeroes Basket Mechelen with a 17-12 record, took on the formidable Oostende team with a 22-7 record in the BNXT League finals. Despite Stampley's solid performance of scoring 9 points and grabbing 5 rebounds in 26 minutes of play, Kangoeroes Basket Mechelen suffered a crushing defeat of 94-66 on the road against Oostende, who are ranked second in the league. This is Stampley's first season with the team, and he has been maintaining relatively good stats throughout, averaging 12.0 points per game and 5.7 rebounds per game.
#6. Juan Davis, a 29-year-old forward standing at 6'8'' and an alumnus of the Trojans from 2018, currently plays professionally in North Macedonia. In a recent game, he faced TFT but could not lead his team, MZT Skopje, to victory. Despite his efforts, Davis struggled on the court, scoring only 2 points in 5 minutes of gameplay. The game ended in a close 93-91 defeat for his team. Against TFT, Davis showed some promise by contributing 2 points and 2 rebounds, displaying a strong performance individually. However, his efforts were not enough to secure the win for his team. Throughout this season, Davis has been averaging 5.3 points per game and 5.3 rebounds per game. While Saturday's game may not be remembered as one of his best, Davis continues to strive for success as a skilled professional basketball player in North Macedonia.
#7. Marcus Friend, a 6'0'' point guard who is 28 years old and a graduate of Troy in 2024, currently plays professionally in the TBL. In a recent game, he helped lead his team, 4 Bears Roar, to a victorious 95-82 win against the Mesquite Desert Dogs. Despite scoring just 4 points and making 4 assists in 11 minutes of play, Friend's contributions were instrumental in securing the victory for his team. His impressive performance, which included scoring 4 points, grabbing 1 rebound, and providing 4 assists against Mesquite DD, highlighted his abilities as a true champion. Friend's consistent performance throughout the season, averaging 3.0 points, 3.0 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and 1.7 steals per game, further solidifies his reputation as a skilled finalist.
Other former Troy University players, who play in pro basketball:
Jordon Varnado (6'8''-F-1997, played in 2015-19) plays for Bnei Hertzeliya in Israeli Winner League
Christyon Eugene (6'3''-G-2001, played in 2021-24) plays for FMP BG in Serbian KLS
Kieffer Punter (6'5''-G-1999, played in 2020-23) plays for Digenis in Cypriot ECOMMBX BL
Shawn Hopkins (6'5''-F/G-1995, played in 2015-18) plays for ACO Basket in Finnish 1st Division A
Khalyl Waters (6'5''-F-1998, played in 2019-22) played for Snaefell in Icelandic Division I few monts ago
Nelson Phillips (6'5''-G-1998, played in 2022-23) plays for Gries-Souffel in French ProB
Steven Cunningham (6'5''-F-1989, played in 2008-12) played for Circle City Pythons in the ABA last year
Notice: The list above includes only some of alumni playing currently in pro basketball. Check complete list of Troy University basketball alumni.
|
|
|
Ex-Players
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
