

Courtesy of Eurobasket LLC We bring you last week's top former Cougars players who are currently playing in pro basketball.
Notice impressive performance of Landrius Horton (24 points), Nelson Haskin (16 points), and Tyron Harris (9 points).
#1. Landrius Horton, a 6'4'' guard who graduated from Columbus St. in 2020 and received the All-PeachBelt Second Team award that year, currently plays professionally in Poland. In a recent game last Saturday, Horton, despite his standout performance, was unable to lead Dziki Warszawa (18-12) to victory. The team suffered a close 81-78 defeat on the road against the higher-ranked Trefl (#4). Horton showcased his talent by being the top scorer of the game with 24 points and contributing 5 rebounds in 31 minutes of play. His remarkable performance against Trefl highlighted his scoring ability and versatility on the court, although it wasn't enough to secure the win for his team. Throughout the season, Horton has maintained impressive individual statistics, leading the league in scoring with an average of 19.3 points per game. In addition to his scoring prowess, he also averages 4.4 rebounds, 3.1 assists, and 1.5 steals per game, demonstrating his all-around impact on the court as a champion player.
#2. Nelson Haskin, a 6'8'' forward and 26-year-old Cougars alumni from the class of 2023, has been making waves in the professional basketball scene in Holland. Known for his stellar defensive skills, he was honored with the prestigious All-PeachBelt Defensive Player of the Year award in his final year at university. Currently playing for Zwolle in the Dutch Basketball League, Haskin showcased his talent in a recent game against Den Helder. In a thrilling match that saw Zwolle emerge victorious with a score of 80-72, Haskin demonstrated his versatility on the court. Despite it only being his third season in professional basketball, he delivered an outstanding performance, recording 16 points, 9 rebounds, 7 assists, and 3 steals in 36 minutes of play. This remarkable display of skill and athleticism proved pivotal in securing the win for his team in a highly anticipated matchup between two top 4 ranked teams. Haskin's impact goes beyond just one game, as he has been consistently delivering impressive performances throughout the season. A key player for Zwolle, he has been instrumental in their success and has played a crucial role in helping his team reach the champion position. With notable season averages of 12.5 points, 7.5 rebounds, 4.5 assists (ranking fourth in the league), 1.5 blocks per game (second best in the league), and 1.5 steals per game, Haskin continues to prove himself as a formidable force in the league.
#3. Experienced champion Tyron Harris, a 6'5'' guard who is 34 years old and graduated from Columbus St. in 2015, is currently playing professionally in Bosnia. He recently played a crucial role in Borac BL's victory over the fourth-ranked Jahorina with a score of 91-79 in the Bosnia and Herzegovina Division I. Despite facing tough competition, Harris showcased his skills on the court by contributing 9 points, 1 rebound, and an impressive 8 assists during the game, helping his team secure the win. Borac WWin Banja Luka, where Harris plays, is currently leading the Winners Stage group with a record of 24-5. With only two games remaining in the Second Stage, every upcoming game is crucial for the team's success. Harris's consistent performance throughout the season is evident in his solid statistics, averaging 11.6 points per game, 3.2 rebounds per game, 6.4 assists per game (which ranks him as the third-best in the league), and 1.4 steals per game. His remarkable skills and contributions on the court truly highlight his status as a champion player.
#4. JaCori Payne, a 29-year-old guard standing at 5'11'' and an alumnus of the Cougars from 2018, currently plays professionally in Kosovo. He recently showcased his skills on Wednesday night by contributing significantly to KB Trepca's victory over closely-ranked Bashkimi with a final score of 93-83 in the Kosovan Art Motion Superliga. Payne's noteworthy performance included scoring 7 points, grabbing 4 rebounds, and dishing out 8 assists in just 28 minutes of play. This game was highly anticipated as it featured two top 4 ranked teams battling it out. KB Trepca Mitrovice, currently leading the league with a record of 25-3, secured their 20th consecutive victory with this win. Payne's consistent performance throughout the season is evident from his solid stats, averaging 12.6 points, 3.0 rebounds, 4.6 assists, and 1.2 steals per game. Payne's exceptional display of talent and leadership on the court against Bashkimi highlights why he is truly a champion.
Other former Columbus State University players, who play in pro basketball:
Marquis Davison (6'5''-G-2000, played in 2023-24) plays for Leones in Dominican Rep. LNB
Brent Jackson (6'4''-G/F-1994, played in 2013-16) plays for Venados de Mazatlan in Mexican CIBACOPA
Jehloni James (6'7''-F-2001, played in 2022-25) plays for Lahti in Finnish Korisliiga
Kenney Funderburk (6'4''-SG-1992, played in 2013-15) plays for APOEL in Cypriot ECOMMBX BL
Wisdom Uboh (5'10''-PG, played in 2021-25) plays for Dresden Titans in German ProB
Hal Heyward (6'7''-F-1992, played in 2013-15) plays for Mineros de Parral in Mexican LBE
Kordell Brown (6'8''-F, played in 2023-25) plays for Konjic in Bosnia and Herzegovina A1 Liga
Jarrett Adderton (6'3''-G-2001, played in 2023-25) plays for Papagou in Greek Elite League
Cameron Paulding (6'7''-F) played for Circle City Pythons in the ABA few monts ago
DeMierre Black (6'1''-PG, played in 2022-23) played for Immortals in Dominican Rep. LDC last year
Rudy Winters (6'5''-G/F, played in 2016-18) played for Mayretta Bombers in the SEBL last year
Roman Son (5'11''-PG, played in 2021-25) played for Lakeland-Polk County Royals in the ABA last year
Bryant Givens (6'0''-PG-1997, played in 2022-23) played for Lebanon Leprechauns in the TBL last year
Joshua Jerome (6'7''-G/F, played in 2022-24) played for LDC Ignite in Dominican Rep. LDC last year
Notice: The list above includes only some of alumni playing currently in pro basketball. Check complete list of Columbus State University basketball alumni.
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Ex-Players
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