Courtesy of Eurobasket LLC Every week we bring you a list of the top former Aggies players who continue their career in pro basketball.
Especially interesting is good performance of Brynton Lemar (19 points), TJ Shorts (14 points), and Elijah Pepper (45 points).
#1. Brynton Lemar, a 6'4'' shooting guard who is 31 years old and graduated from UC Davis in 2017, is currently playing professionally in Turkey. In a recent matchup, he led Besiktas Fibabanka Istanbul to a resounding 108-83 victory over the seventh-ranked Galatasaray in a highly anticipated derby game in the Turkish ING Basketbol Super Ligi. Lemar's outstanding performance on the court earned him the title of MVP for the game, as he contributed 19 points and 3 assists in just 23 minutes of play. Besiktas Fibabanka Istanbul, with a record of 25-5, currently holds the second position in the league standings. This marks Lemar's inaugural season with the team, during which he has been showcasing his basketball prowess. His remarkable display against Galatasaray, where he scored 19 points, secured 2 rebounds, and provided 3 assists, was instrumental in leading his team to victory. Lemar's consistent performance throughout the season, with averages of 9.5 points, 1.4 rebounds, and 2.6 assists per game, reflects his dedication and skill on the court. It is worth noting that despite being a naturalized American player, Lemar has seamlessly adapted to the Turkish league and has demonstrated his capabilities as a true champion in every game he plays.
#2. TJ Shorts, the 28-year-old point guard standing at 5'9'' and an alumnus of the Aggies from 2019, continues to make a name for himself in the world of basketball. Currently playing professionally in Greece, Shorts recently demonstrated his exceptional skills on the court by leading Panathinaikos to a decisive 102-94 victory over the closely-ranked PAOK in the Greek Stoiximan Basketball League. In this highly anticipated matchup between two top 4 ranked teams, Shorts' standout performance was instrumental in securing the win for his team. Despite only playing for 19 minutes, Shorts managed to make a significant impact by contributing 14 points and 3 assists. His ability to execute plays effectively and efficiently was crucial in clinching the victory for Panathinaikos Aktor Athens, who currently holds the second position in the league standings with a record of 19-5. Shorts' impressive performance against PAOK not only highlighted his scoring prowess but also showcased his playmaking skills, as evidenced by his 3 assists and overall contribution to the team's success in the game. Throughout the season, Shorts has maintained solid statistics, averaging 12.0 points, 2.0 rebounds, and 4.2 assists per game. His consistent performance on the court has solidified his reputation as a top player in the league. Furthermore, as a naturalized American player with experience in the Eurobasket Summer League, Shorts has proven his ability to compete at a high level and excel in professional basketball overseas. With his determination, skill set, and track record of success, Shorts continues to prove why he is indeed a champion in the sport.
#3. Elijah Pepper, a 6'4'' guard who graduated from UC Davis in 2024 and received the prestigious All-Big West Player of the Year award, is currently showcasing his talent in the professional basketball league in New Zealand. Recently, he played a crucial role in leading the Wellington Saints to a resounding 105-84 victory over the Jets on Monday night. In this game, Pepper's exceptional performance earned him the title of MVP after scoring an astonishing 45 points, along with contributing 3 assists and 3 steals in just 35 minutes of play. Despite being in only his second season in professional basketball, Pepper's impact on the court has been nothing short of remarkable. His stellar play not only helped secure the win for the Wellington Saints but also garnered him an Elite Badge from eurobasket.com, highlighting his status as a champion player in the league. Currently, the Wellington Saints hold the fourth position in the league standings with a record of 7-3. Pepper's individual performance throughout the season has been outstanding, with impressive statistics to support his skillset. He leads the league in scoring with an average of 30.3 points per game, showcasing his offensive prowess. Additionally, he contributes significantly in other areas of the game, averaging 5.3 rebounds, 5.1 assists, and 3.2 steals per game, further solidifying his reputation as a finalist player in the league.
#4. French Kane Milling, a 6'4'' guard who is 25 years old and an Aggies alum from 2024, played a crucial role in helping his team reach the final of the Big West Tournament that year. He currently plays professionally in France and recently contributed to Levallois Metropolitans BC's victory over the tenth-ranked Lorient with a score of 75-67 in the French Nationale Masculine 1 (third division) on Friday night. In the game, he showcased his skills by recording 8 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 assists in 34 minutes of play. This season, Levallois Metropolitans BC holds the fourth position in Group A with a record of 26-14. It is Milling's first season with the team, and he has been delivering impressive performances throughout. With average stats of 14.6 points per game, 4.5 rebounds per game, 3.3 assists per game, and 1.2 steals per game, Milling has been a standout player for his team. His stellar performance against Lorient highlights his talent and contribution as a key player for Levallois Metropolitans BC, further solidifying his reputation as a champion on the court.
Other former University of California - Davis players, who play in pro basketball:
Chima Moneke (6'6''-PF-1995, played in 2015-15) plays for Crvena zvezda in Serbian KLS
Ran Andre Pehka (6'4''-PG-2001, played in 2020-21) plays for TalTech in Estonian KML
Oliver Gehrke (6'7''-F-2000, played in 2019-20) plays for Sodertalje in Swedish Basketligan
Christian Anigwe (6'9''-F-2000, played in 2020-23) plays for Rigas Zelli in Latvian LBL
Ty Johnson (6'3''-G-2003, played in 2022-25) plays for Vilpas in Finnish Korisliiga
AJ John (6'8''-F-1996, played in 2016-16) plays for Kosice Wolves in Slovakian Tipos SBL
Leo DeBruhl (6'3''-G, played in 2021-25) plays for Vitre in French NM1
Joshua Fox (6'8''-F/C-1994, played in 2013-16) played for FIJ NT in Fijian few monts ago
Ade Adebayo (6'5''-G, played in 2019-24) plays for Sol Girones in Spanish Segunda FEB
Samuel Manu (6'7''-F-2000, played in 2022-24) plays for Taipei Taishin Mars in Taiwanese TPBL
Notice: The list above includes only some of alumni playing currently in pro basketball. Check complete list of University of California - Davis basketball alumni.
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