Courtesy of Eurobasket LLC Here is the weekly review of the top performing Bears alumni, who are currently playing in pro basketball.
Especially interesting is good performance of Ishmail Wainright (21 points), Michael Rataj (16 points), and Johnathan Motley (7 points).
#1. Ugandan basketball player Ishmail Wainright, a 6'5'' forward aged 31, graduated from Baylor in 2017 and received the All-Big 12 Honorable Mention award that year. Currently playing professionally in Israel, Wainright made a significant impact in Hapoel Shlomo Tel-Aviv's recent victory against the third-ranked Hapoel Jerusalem, with a score of 88-84 in the Israeli Winner League last Tuesday. During the game, Wainright showcased his skills by scoring 21 points, securing 6 rebounds, and making 1 assist in 33 minutes of play. This match was highly anticipated as it featured two top 3 ranked teams in group Places 1-8, with Hapoel Shlomo Tel-Aviv (22-4) currently holding the second position in the standings. Wainright's stellar performance not only helped his team secure their third consecutive victory but also played a pivotal role in their triumph over Hapoel Jerusalem. With an average of 8.3 points per game and 3.3 rebounds per game in the 19 games he has participated in this year, Wainright has proven to be a valuable asset to his team. It is worth noting that he is a naturalized American player. His outstanding contributions on the court were instrumental in leading his team to victory as the champion in this exciting match against Hapoel Jerusalem, showcasing his talent and dedication to the sport.
#2. German Michael Rataj, a 22-year-old guard standing at 6'8'' and an alum of the Bears from 2026, showcased his talent as a professional basketball player in Germany. Playing for ALBA Berlin, Rataj led his team to a resounding 97-66 victory over the closely-ranked Bamberg (24-10) in the German easyCredit BBL. This standout performance earned him the title of MVP of the game. Despite it being his first season in professional basketball, Rataj displayed remarkable skill by scoring 16 points, securing 9 rebounds, and providing 1 assist in just 25 minutes of play. The game between ALBA Berlin and Bamberg was highly anticipated as both teams were among the top 4 in the league standings. With this victory, ALBA Berlin, with a record of 24-10, solidified their position as the finalist in the league. Rataj's consistent contributions this season have been noteworthy, averaging 9.0 points per game and 3.5 rebounds per game in the 16 games he has played so far. His performance against Bamberg exemplified his ability to deliver in crucial moments, ultimately leading his team to triumph as the champion of the game.
#3. Johnathan Motley, a 31-year-old center standing at 6'10'' who graduated from Baylor in 2017 and received the USBWA All-District VII Player of the Year award that same year, currently plays professionally in Israel. He is teammates with Ishmail Wainright and recently they both competed in the latest Israeli Winner League game together. In this game, Motley played a crucial role in Hapoel Shlomo Tel-Aviv's triumph over the third-ranked Hapoel Jerusalem with a score of 88-84. During the game, he showcased his versatility by contributing 7 points, 7 rebounds, and 3 assists in 29 minutes of play. This impressive performance by Motley against Hapoel Jerusalem not only highlighted his skills on the court but also helped his team secure the champion title. Throughout the season, Motley has maintained solid statistics, averaging 14.4 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 1.1 assists per game in 27 appearances.
#4. James Akinjo, a 6'1'' point guard and 25-year-old Bears alumnus from 2022, played a crucial role in helping his team secure the Big 12 Regular Season Co-Champion title that year. Currently playing professionally in Israel, Akinjo recently contributed significantly to Ironi Hai Motors Nes-Ziona's victory over the third-ranked Galil Elion with a score of 92-83 in the Israeli Winner League last Saturday. During the game, Akinjo showcased his skills by recording 6 points and delivering 10 assists in 31 minutes of play. This match was a highly anticipated showdown between two top 3 ranked teams in group Places 11-14, with Ironi Hai Motors Nes-Ziona (9-17) leading the pack. With only three games remaining in the Play-Out Round, each game becomes increasingly crucial. Akinjo's standout performance against H. Galil Elyon, where he scored 6 points, secured 3 rebounds, and provided 10 assists, was instrumental in ensuring the victory, ultimately earning him the title of champion of the game. Throughout this season, Akinjo has maintained an average of 7.0 points, 1.8 rebounds, and 7.3 assists per game over eight games, showcasing his consistency and impact on the court.
#5. Kenny Chery, an experienced Canadian point guard standing at 5'11'' and 34 years old, graduated from Baylor in 2015 where he received the All-Big 12 Second Team award. Currently playing professionally in Lithuania, Chery recently played for Juventus against the powerhouse Zalgiris in the Lithuanian Betsafe Lietuvos krepsinio lyga. Despite his commendable effort, Chery's team fell short to Zalgiris, with a final score of 100-69 in favor of the reigning champion. In his first season with Juventus, Chery showcased a solid performance against Zalgiris, contributing 8 points and 2 assists in just 16 minutes of play. Throughout this season, Chery has been averaging 3.8 points per game and 1.3 assists per game in 23 appearances. It is worth noting that in addition to his Canadian nationality, Chery also holds Haitian citizenship, showcasing his diverse background and experiences on and off the court.
#6. Canadian champion Devonte Bandoo, a 6'3'' guard and 29-year-old Bears alumnus from 2020, who received the All-Big 12 Sixth Man of the Year award that year, currently plays professionally in Canada. In a recent game, Bandoo, despite his strong performance, was unable to lift the Saskatchewan Mamba (3-5) to victory. The Saskatchewan team, ranked #4, suffered a significant 105-85 defeat on the road against the Bandits. Bandoo emerged as the second-highest scorer of the game with 15 points, in addition to contributing 5 rebounds and 3 assists during his 25 minutes on the court. In a previous game against Vancouver, Bandoo showcased another impressive performance, scoring 15 points, securing 5 rebounds, and distributing 3 assists. However, despite his notable contributions, his team ultimately faced defeat. Throughout this season, Bandoo has maintained solid statistics, averaging 12.5 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 3.5 assists per game across two games.
#7. Terry Maston Jr., a 6'9'' center who is 30 years old and graduated from Baylor in 2018, is currently a professional basketball player in the TBL. Recently, he showcased his skills on the court, aiding his team, Potawatomi Fire, in a resounding 120-100 victory over the 4 Bears Roar in a match in The Basketball League. Despite only playing for 7 minutes, Maston Jr. managed to contribute 5 points to his team's triumph. His impact was truly felt in the game against the 4 Bears Roar, as he not only scored 5 points but also grabbed 3 rebounds, proving to be a pivotal player in securing the win for his team. His consistent performance throughout the season is evident in his average of 8.1 points per game and 4.4 rebounds per game across 18 games played. Maston Jr.'s contributions have been crucial in elevating his team's performance and positioning them for success in the league.
Other former Baylor University players, who play in pro basketball:
Freddie Gillespie (6'9''-C-1997, played in 2017-17) plays for Galatasaray Ekmas Istanbul in Turkish BSL
Jared Butler (6'3''-G-1999, played in 2018-21) plays for Crvena zvezda in Serbian KLS
Jayden Nunn (6'4''-G-2003, played in 2023-25) plays for Brescia in Italian Serie A
Jeremy Roach (6'2''-PG-2001, played in 2024-25) plays for King Szczecin in Polish OBL
Quincy Miller-Scott (6'9''-F-1992, played in 2011-12) played for Beirut Club in Lebanese DLBL few monts ago
Yves Missi (7'0''-F-2004, played in 2023-24) plays for New Orleans Pelicans in the NBA
VJ Edgecombe (6'5''-G-2005, played in 2024-25) plays for Philadelphia 76ers in the NBA
Norchad Omier (6'7''-F-2001, played in 2024-25) plays for Los Angeles Clippers in the NBA
Ja'Kobe Walter (6'5''-SG-2004, played in 2023-24) plays for Toronto Raptors in the NBA
Davion Mitchell (6'1''-G-1998, played in 2018-18) plays for Miami Heat in the NBA
RayJ Dennis (6'2''-G-2001, played in 2023-24) plays for Atlanta Hawks in the NBA
Taurean Prince (6'7''-F-1994, played in 2012-16) plays for Milwaukee Bucks in the NBA
Royce O'Neale (6'6''-SF-1993, played in 2013-15) plays for Phoenix Suns in the NBA
Kendall Brown (6'8''-G/F-2003, played in 2021-22) plays for Boston Celtics in the NBA
Keyonte George (6'4''-G-2003) plays for Utah Jazz in the NBA
Jeremy Sochan (6'8''-F-2003, played in 2021-22) plays for New York Knicks in the NBA
Perry Jones III (6'11''-F-1991, played in 2010-12) plays for Zonkeys de Tijuana in Mexican CIBACOPA
Pierre Jackson (5'11''-G-1991, played in 2011-13) plays for Al Ittihad Alexandria in Egyptian Superleague
LaceDarius Dunn (6'4''-SG-1987, played in 2007-11) played for Sporting in Egyptian Superleague last year
Matthew Mayer (6'9''-G/F-1999, played in 2018-22) played for Toyotsu Fighting Eagles Nagoya in Japanese B1 League last year
Emmanuel Lecomte (5'11''-PG-1995, played in 2015-15) plays for Valcea in Romanian Liga Nationala
Macio Teague (6'4''-SG-1997, played in 2018-18) plays for Torino in Italian Serie A2
Lester Medford Jr. (6'1''-PG-1993, played in 2014-16) plays for Slovan in Slovakian Tipos SBL
Mario Kegler (6'7''-G/F-1997, played in 2017-17) played for Leones in Dominican Rep. LNB last year
Nuni Omot (6'9''-SF-1994, played in 2016-18) plays for Al Ahly Cairo in Egyptian Superleague
Adam Flagler (6'3''-G-1999, played in 2023-24) plays for Austin Spurs in the NBA G League
Jalen Bridges (6'9''-F-2001, played in 2022-24) plays for Maine Celtics in the NBA G League
Florent Thamba (6'10''-C/F-1999, played in 2018-23) plays for Metros in Dominican Rep. LNB
AJ Walton (6'2''-PG-1990, played in 2009-13) plays for J.Hradec in Czech Republic 1Liga
Jo Lual-Acuil (7'0''-C-1994, played in 2015-15) plays for Ahly Benghazi in Libyan D1
Angok Deng (6'8''-F-1992, played in 2014-15) plays for ASCVD in Senegalese N1M
Isaiah Austin (7'1''-C-1993, played in 2012-14) played for DMV Trilogy in the Big3 last year
Austin Sacks (6'7''-F, played in 2021-24) played for Team Newcastle University in British BCB last year
Kevin Rogers (6'9''-PF-1986, played in 2005-09) played for Texas Tribe in the TBA last year
Notice: The list above includes only some of alumni playing currently in pro basketball. Check complete list of Baylor University basketball alumni.
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Ex-Players
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