Courtesy of Eurobasket LLC Every week we bring you a list of the top former Mocs players who continue their career in pro basketball.
#1. Trey Bonham, a 6'0'' point guard at 24 years old who graduated from Chattanooga in 2025, has been making waves in the professional basketball scene in the Czech Republic. Recently, he led his team, Pardubice, to a resounding 90-75 victory over the third-ranked team Brno in the Czech Republic Maxa NBL. This game was a standout moment for Bonham as he not only secured the win but also earned the title of MVP with an exceptional performance. Scoring an impressive 29 points, grabbing 4 rebounds, and dishing out 3 assists, Bonham showcased his skills on the court, making a perfect 10-for-10 from the free-throw line. His remarkable display of talent in just his first season of professional basketball truly sets him apart as a champion. The game against Brno was a highly anticipated matchup between two of the top 3 ranked teams in group Places 1-8, further highlighting Bonham's ability to perform under pressure. Throughout the season, Bonham has consistently delivered outstanding performances, averaging 15.9 points per game, 3.9 rebounds, 4.3 assists, and 1.8 steals (ranking fourth best in the league) in the 40 games he has played so far. His remarkable stats and impact on the court firmly establish him as a finalist in the league's top performers.
#2. Jake Stephens, a 7'0'' center and 26-year-old alumnus of the Mocs from the class of 2023, was honored with the NABC Division I All-District 21 First Team award. Currently playing professionally in Croatia, Stephens recently showcased his skills in a pivotal game for KK Split. In a thrilling match against the closely-ranked Cibona, with a record of 25-8, KK Split emerged victorious with a score of 83-78 in the Croatian Favbet Premijer Liga. Despite only playing 16 minutes, Stephens made a significant impact by contributing 5 points and securing 7 rebounds. The game marked a showdown between two top 4 teams, with KK Split, currently ranked third in the league, demonstrating their prowess on the court. This season marks Stephens' debut with the team, and his performance against Cibona underscored his ability to make valuable contributions when it matters most. Stephens' impressive statistics for the season further highlight his importance to the team, with an average of 9.4 points per game and 5.2 rebounds per game across 35 appearances. His consistent performance and dedication to his craft position him as a key player for KK Split as they strive to excel and ultimately emerge as the champion of the league.
#3. Haitian basketball player David Jean-Baptiste, a 6'5'' guard who is 28 years old and graduated from Chattanooga in 2022, has been making waves in the Danish BasketLigaen. Despite his best efforts, Jean-Baptiste could not lead Naestved (25-7) to a victory over the formidable Bakken Bears (26-6) in a recent game. Even though he contributed 9 points, 4 rebounds, and 1 assist in 22 minutes of play, Naestved ultimately fell short, losing 81-87 to the Bakken Bears at home in the Places 1-6 group. Throughout the season, Jean-Baptiste has been putting up solid numbers, averaging 11.7 points, 2.7 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and 1.1 steals per game in the 40 games he has played. His consistent performance on the court has been commendable, showcasing his skills and determination to excel at the professional level. While the outcome of the game against the Bakken Bears may not have been in his favor, Jean-Baptiste's resilience and talent as a player continue to shine, making him a standout champion in his own right.
#4. Avery Diggs, a 6'10'' center and 28-year-old Mocs alumni from the class of 2022, was instrumental in helping them secure the SoCon Regular Season Champion title in that year. Currently playing professionally in the TBL, Diggs unfortunately could not lead the Tampa Bay Titans (4-10) to victory in their recent game against the Kissimmee Lambs, where they suffered a 109-116 defeat on the road. Despite the loss, Diggs delivered an impressive performance on the court, achieving a double-double with 16 points and 11 rebounds, along with 2 blocks in 44 minutes of play. With only two games remaining in The Basketball League Regular Season, each match becomes crucial for the teams. During the game against Kissimmee Lambs, Diggs showcased his skills with 16 points, 11 rebounds, and 1 assist, earning himself the Triple-Double Badge from eurobasket.com. This outstanding display highlights his prowess as a champion player, even in the face of defeat. Throughout this season, Diggs has maintained an average of 8.3 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 1.4 assists per game over nine appearances, demonstrating his consistency and contribution to the team's efforts.
#5. Experienced champion Kevin Bridgewaters, a 5'11'' point guard at 41 years old who graduated from Chattanooga in 2008 and currently plays professionally in the TBL, played a pivotal role in leading the Newfoundland Rogues to a resounding 105-75 victory over the Tri-State Admirals (4-13) in the recent The Basketball League game on Saturday night. He was named the MVP of the game after scoring 20 points in just 26 minutes of play. The Newfoundland Rogues, with a somewhat modest 19-11 record this season, secured their fourth consecutive win in this match, which marked the end of the Regular Season in The Basketball League. Bridgewaters' impressive performance included not only scoring 20 points but also grabbing 2 rebounds against Tri-State, illustrating his prowess as a finalist. His exceptional display of skills on the court truly exemplified his capabilities as a champion. Throughout this season, Bridgewaters has maintained solid averages of 9.6 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 2.9 assists per game over the course of 27 games, further solidifying his status as a standout player in the league.
Other former University of Tennessee at Chattanooga players, who play in pro basketball:
Matt Ryan (6'7''-G/F-1997, played in 2019-20) plays for Dubai in UAE Adriatic League
Silvio de Sousa (6'9''-C/F-1998, played in 2020-22) plays for Maroussi in Greek GBL
Frank Champion (6'7''-F-2002, played in 2024-25) plays for Korihait in Finnish Korisliiga
Tyler Millin (6'7''-F-2000, played in 2023-24) plays for Komarno in Slovakian Tipos SBL
Thomas Smallwood (7'0''-C-1995, played in 2018-19) plays for Prat in Spanish Tercera FEB
Jan Zidek (6'9''-F-1999, played in 2023-24) plays for Grupo Ureta Tizona Burgos in Spanish Primera FEB
Ramon Vila (6'9''-F/C-1997, played in 2018-20) plays for Grupo Ureta Tizona Burgos in Spanish Primera FEB
Stefan Kenic (6'9''-F-1997, played in 2019-21) plays for Neftci in Azerbaijani ABL
Mark Tikhonenko (6'10''-F-1998, played in 2020-21) plays for Jaen CB in Spanish Segunda FEB
Notice: The list above includes only some of alumni playing currently in pro basketball. Check complete list of University of Tennessee at Chattanooga basketball alumni.
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