Courtesy of Eurobasket LLC We bring you last week's top former Fighting Irish players who are currently playing in pro basketball.
#1. In a recent Greek Stoiximan Basketball League matchup, the highly skilled Jerian Grant, a 6'5'' guard with a wealth of experience at 33 years old, displayed his prowess on the court for Panathinaikos. A graduate of Notre Dame in 2015 and recipient of the All-ACC All-Tournament MVP award that same year, Grant proved instrumental in his team's 102-94 victory over the closely-ranked PAOK (17-7) in a thrilling game that took place on a Saturday night. Grant's performance was exceptional as he showcased his abilities by scoring 15 points, securing 2 rebounds, and delivering 6 assists in just 30 minutes of play. This standout display was crucial in securing the win for Panathinaikos, a team currently placed second in the league with a record of 19-5. The game against PAOK was highly anticipated as it featured two top 4 ranked teams battling it out on the court. Grant's consistent contributions throughout the season are reflected in his average of 7.0 points per game and 3.3 assists per game in the 24 games he has participated in so far. His valuable presence on the court and ability to deliver under pressure truly exemplify why he is a champion in the world of basketball.
#2. Lithuanian champion Martinas Geben, a 31-year-old finalist and Fighting Irish alumnus from 2018 currently playing professionally in Spain, unfortunately could not lead Basquet Girona (14-20) to victory in their latest game. Despite his remarkable performance, Girona fell short 80-86 on the road against the higher-ranked (#7) Surne Bilbao. Geben showcased his skills with a double-double, scoring 24 points and securing 13 rebounds in just 27 minutes of play. This marked Basquet Girona's fourth consecutive loss as the Regular Season came to a close. In the face of adversity, Geben delivered a stellar performance against Bilbao, impressively contributing 24 points, 13 rebounds, and 1 assist. Even though his team couldn't secure the win, his exceptional efforts earned him the Triple-Double Badge from eurobasket.com, underscoring his reputation as a champion player. Throughout the season, Geben has maintained solid statistics, averaging 11.0 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 1.1 assists in the 34 games he has competed in so far.
#3. Bonzie Colson Jr., a 30-year-old forward who graduated from Notre Dame in 2018 and received the ACC All-Tournament Second Team award that year, currently plays professionally in Turkey. Recently, he made a significant impact in a crucial game against the eighth-ranked Erokspor, helping his team secure a decisive 96-73 victory in the Turkish ING Basketbol Super Ligi. In this matchup, he displayed his skills as a champion player by contributing 6 points, 7 rebounds, and 1 assist in just 20 minutes on the court. Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul, where Colson Jr. plays, holds the top spot in the league with a record of 25-5. His consistent performance throughout the season is evident as he averages 7.8 points and 3.7 rebounds per game in the 12 games he has played so far. His prowess as a finalist player is undeniable, and his contributions are instrumental in his team's success.
#4. Experienced champion Tim Abromaitis, a 6'8'' forward who is 36 years old and an alumnus of the Fighting Irish from 2012, is currently playing professionally in Spain. In the recent game, Abromaitis was unable to lead La Laguna Tenerife (18-16) to victory as they fell short against the higher-ranked (#7) Surne with a score of 82-87 in Bilbao. Despite his commendable effort, recording 10 points and 5 rebounds in just 24 minutes of play, the team could not secure the win. The Regular Season has already concluded, marking Abromaitis' fourth season with the team. In the game against Bilbao, he showcased an impressive performance by contributing 10 points, 5 rebounds, and 2 assists. However, despite his notable contributions, La Laguna Tenerife could not clinch the victory. Throughout this season, Abromaitis has maintained an average of 6.4 points per game and 3.2 rebounds per game across 34 games. His dedication and skill have been instrumental in the team's performance this season, even though they fell short in the final game.
#5. Prentiss Hubb, a 6'3'' guard who graduated from Notre Dame in 2022 and currently plays professionally in Italy, unfortunately could not lead Tortona (17-11) to victory in their recent game. Despite his strong showing, Tortona fell short with a score of 83-89 against the higher-ranked (#4) Umana in Venezia. Hubb contributed 11 points and 4 assists in 22 minutes of play during the game. His performance was commendable, but it wasn't enough to secure the win for his team. Throughout the season, Hubb has maintained relatively good statistics, averaging 11.7 points, 1.8 rebounds, and 4.5 assists per game over the course of 34 games. His consistent performance on the court has been noteworthy, showcasing his skills and contribution to the team's efforts.
#6. Jack Cooley, a 35-year-old former Fighting Irish player from the class of 2013, is currently playing professionally in Japan. In a recent game, despite his commendable performance, he was unable to help the Ryukyu Golden Kings Okinawa secure a victory against the leading Velca in the West group. The third-placed Ryukyu GK suffered a defeat with a score of 64-72 in Nagasaki. Cooley managed a double-double with 10 points, 13 rebounds, and 4 assists in 32 minutes of play. Despite his strong showing, his team fell short in the end. Throughout the season, Cooley has maintained solid statistics, averaging 13.2 points, 9.7 rebounds, and 1.9 assists per game in 67 appearances. His consistent performance on the court has been noteworthy, showcasing his skills as a champion player.
#7. In a thrilling Sunday night matchup, Marcus Hammond, a 25-year-old guard standing at 6'3'' who graduated from Notre Dame in 2023 and currently plays professionally in France, showcased his exceptional skills by leading Union Poitiers Basket 86 to a hard-fought victory over Saint-Quentin with a final score of 100-96 in the French ELITE 2 league (second division). Hammond, the standout player of the game, was awarded the title of MVP as he displayed remarkable performance on the court. He contributed significantly to his team's success by scoring 21 points, securing 5 rebounds, and providing 4 assists during his 33 minutes of play against Saint-Quentin. His stellar performance was instrumental in ensuring the triumph of his team as the champion. Throughout the season, Hammond has consistently delivered outstanding performances, reflected in his impressive averages of 15.4 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 3.7 assists per game over the course of 36 games. His remarkable skills and dedication have undoubtedly contributed to his team's success, making him a standout finalist in the league.
Other former University of Notre Dame players, who play in pro basketball:
Cormac Ryan (6'5''-G-1998, played in 2019-23) plays for Milwaukee Bucks in the NBA
Pat Connaughton (6'5''-SF-1993, played in 2011-15) plays for Charlotte Hornets in the NBA
Blake Wesley (6'3''-G-2003, played in 2021-22) plays for Portland Trail Blazers in the NBA
John Mooney (6'9''-F-1998, played in 2016-20) plays for Chiba Jets in Japanese B1 League
Trey Wertz (6'5''-G-1999, played in 2020-23) plays for Rayos de Hermosillo in Mexican CIBACOPA
Matthew Zona (6'9''-F-2002, played in 2020-24) plays for Cheshire Phoenix in British SLB
Nate Laszewski (6'10''-F-1999, played in 2023-23) plays for M.Raanana in Israeli Winner League
Dane Goodwin (6'6''-G-1999, played in 2024-24) plays for Grand Rapids Gold in the NBA G League
Zach Auguste (6'10''-C-1993, played in 2012-16) plays for Shiga Lakestars in Japanese B1 League
Temple Gibbs (6'4''-G-1997, played in 2016-20) played for T71 in Luxembourg LBBL few monts ago
Tyrone Nash (6'8''-C-1988, played in 2007-11) played for Jersey Shore Breaks in the TBL last year
Nikola Djogo (6'8''-G-1997, played in 2016-21) played for Ottawa Blackjacks in CEBL last year
Nikita Konstantynovskyi (6'10''-F, played in 2024-25) plays for Angeles de Ciudad de Mexico in Mexican CIBACOPA
Matt Allocco (6'4''-G, played in 2024-25) plays for San Diego Clippers in the NBA G League
Notice: The list above includes only some of alumni playing currently in pro basketball. Check complete list of University of Notre Dame basketball alumni.
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Ex-Players
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