Courtesy of Eurobasket LLC We bring you last week's top former Highlanders players who are currently playing in pro basketball.
Especially interesting is good performance of Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser (14 points), Benjamin Griscti (26 points), and Jock Perry (27 points).
#1. Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser, a 31-year-old forward standing at 6'7'' who graduated from UC Riverside in 2018, showcased his skills playing professionally in the Philippines. In a recent match, Ganuelas-Rosser, a key player for Talk N Text Tropang Giga, unfortunately could not lead his team to victory. Despite his solid performance, with 14 points and 4 rebounds in 29 minutes of play, the TNT Tropang Giga suffered a 90-101 defeat on the road against the higher-ranked (#4) Bolts. Even though Ganuelas-Rosser displayed an impressive showing against the Bolts, contributing 14 points, 4 rebounds, and 1 assist, his team was unable to clinch the win. This loss marked the third consecutive defeat for Talk N Text Tropang Giga. Throughout this season, Ganuelas-Rosser has maintained an average of 7.4 points per game and 3.8 rebounds per game in the 18 games he has participated in so far. It is noteworthy that Ganuelas-Rosser holds both American and Filipino citizenship, enabling him to compete as a domestic player in the Philippines, showcasing his talent and dedication to the sport.
#2. Australian Benjamin Griscti, a towering 6'11'' center and 23-year-old Highlanders alumnus from the class of 2024, showcased his skills on the professional basketball court in Australia. Playing for Nunawading Spectres, Griscti led his team to a thrilling 111-106 victory over the fifth-ranked Rangers in the Australian NBL One, the country's second division, during Saturday night's game. In a stellar performance, he scored an impressive 26 points and secured 7 rebounds in just 27 minutes of play, earning him the title of MVP of the game. This remarkable feat is even more impressive considering he is only in his second season of professional basketball. Griscti's exceptional contribution on the court helped Nunawading Spectres improve their record to 10-4, placing them fourth in the South group standings. His standout performance against Dandenong R. not only showcased his scoring ability and rebounding prowess but also his instrumental role in securing the victory for his team. Griscti's consistent excellence throughout the season has solidified his status as a champion in the making. Individually, Griscti has been having a standout season, posting impressive statistics. He currently averages 15.5 points per game, 7.3 rebounds, and 1.8 assists in the 11 games he has played so far. His remarkable talent and impressive numbers highlight his potential to become a future champion in the world of basketball.
#3. Australian center Jock Perry, standing at an impressive 7'1'' and 29 years old, completed his education at UC Riverside in 2021. His talent on the basketball court was recognized with an All-Big West Honorable Mention award in the same year. Currently playing professionally in Australia, Perry recently showcased his skills in a game for Mandurah Magic. Despite his stellar performance, Perry could not carry his team to victory in their match against the higher-ranked Senators, where Mandurah Magic suffered a 96-104 defeat in Perth. During the game, Perry demonstrated his prowess by achieving a double-double, scoring 27 points, pulling down 14 rebounds, and contributing 5 assists and 3 blocks. Impressively, he also maintained a perfect free throw record, going 7-for-7 from the line during his 38 minutes on the court. Perry's standout display continued in a game against Warwick S., where he once again excelled with 27 points, 14 rebounds, and 5 assists. Despite his outstanding individual efforts, Mandurah Magic was unable to secure a win. Perry's exceptional performances earned him the prestigious Triple-Double Badge from eurobasket.com. Throughout the season, Perry has consistently delivered high-quality performances, averaging 21.3 points, 10.4 rebounds, 3.3 assists, and 1.2 blocks per game across 13 appearances. His remarkable contributions on the court highlight him as a standout player and a true champion in the making.
#4. JP Moorman II, a 6'7'' small forward and 27-year-old Highlanders alumnus from 2022, currently playing professionally in Kazakhstan, showcased his skills as a major contributor in a thrilling game on Sunday night. In a closely contested match, his team, Caspiy Aktau, secured a narrow 89-87 victory against the formidable Astana, who held a 28-4 record. Moorman II's stellar performance was instrumental in this important win, as he scored 18 points, collected 6 rebounds, and dished out 1 assist during his 37 minutes on the court. This game, which featured two of the top 4 ranked teams in the league, was a highlight of the round. Caspiy Aktau, with a record of 18-14, currently holds the third position in the standings. Moorman II's impressive contributions, both offensively and defensively, underscored his significance as a key player for his team, ultimately leading them to victory and showcasing his abilities as a true champion. Individually, Moorman II has been having an exceptional year, demonstrating high-level performance across multiple statistical categories. In 25 games, he has been averaging an impressive 15.4 points, 6.2 rebounds, 3.9 assists, and 2.5 steals per game, further solidifying his reputation as a standout finalist in the league.
#5. In the recent game, Jhaylon Martinez, a 6'11'' center and 24-year-old pro basketball player who graduated from Niagara in 2025, demonstrated his skills for the South West Slammers. Despite his commendable performance, the team, currently ranked 14th with a 1-11 record, faced a defeat against the Magic, who hold the 12th spot in the West group, with a final score of 89-98 in Mandurah. Martinez contributed significantly to the game, scoring 14 points, securing 5 rebounds, and even providing 1 assist during his 28 minutes on the court. This performance is particularly noteworthy as it is Martinez's debut season in professional basketball. Unfortunately, this match marked the 11th consecutive loss for the struggling South West Slammers. Throughout the season, Martinez has maintained solid statistics, averaging 12.9 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 1.4 assists per game across 12 appearances. His experience at the Eurobasket Summer League was instrumental in helping him secure a professional basketball opportunity in Australia. Despite the team's challenges, Martinez continues to showcase his talent and potential as he navigates his rookie season in the professional league.
#6. Dutch player Menno Dijkstra, a towering 7'0'' center aged 29, is an alum of the Highlanders from 2019 and currently plays professionally in Holland. In a recent game, Dijkstra, despite his efforts, could not lead Den Bosch to victory against Zwolle. The game on Friday did not turn out as one of his best performances, as he only managed to score 2 points in 10 minutes of play. Unfortunately, his team suffered a 57-72 defeat. Against Zwolle, Dijkstra displayed a commendable effort by contributing 2 points and 3 rebounds. Despite his solid performance, his team was unable to secure a win. So far this year, Dijkstra has been averaging 4.3 points per game and 2.5 rebounds per game in four appearances.
Other former University of California Riverside players, who play in pro basketball:
Zyon Pullin (6'4''-G-2001, played in 2019-23) plays for Minnesota Timberwolves in the NBA
Lachlan Olbrich (6'10''-F/C-2003, played in 2022-23) plays for Chicago Bulls in the NBA
Flynn Cameron (6'5''-G-2000, played in 2020-23) plays for Adelaide 36ers in Australian NBL
Koh Flippin (6'2''-G-1996, played in 2015-18) plays for Gunma Crane Thunders in Japanese B1 League
Taylor Johns (6'6''-C-1994, played in 2012-16) played for Santos de San Luis Potosi in Mexican LNBP few monts ago
Niyi Olabode (6'5''-G/F, played in 2021-25) plays for Komarno in Slovakian Tipos SBL
Jamal Hartwell II (5'11''-PG-1999, played in 2022-23) plays for Goes in Uruguayan LUB
Callum McRae (7'1''-C-1999, played in 2018-22) played for Nelson Giants in New Zealand NBL last year
Arinze Chidom (6'9''-F-1997, played in 2019-21) plays for Absheron in Azerbaijani ABL
Clancy Bird (6'9''-F-2002, played in 2023-24) plays for Manly Warringah Sea Eagles in Australian NBL One
Alexander Larsson (6'10''-F-1995, played in 2014-18) plays for AIK Basket in Swedish Superettan
Notice: The list above includes only some of alumni playing currently in pro basketball. Check complete list of University of California Riverside basketball alumni.
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Ex-Players
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