Courtesy of Eurobasket LLC We bring you last week's top former Colonels players who are currently playing in pro basketball.
#1. Thailand Jalen Cooper, a 24-year-old forward standing at 6'7" and an EKU graduate in 2026, showcased his talent by leading his Austrian team, HEFTE HELFEN Bulls Kapfenberg, to a resounding 94-71 victory over the eighth-ranked Pully (0-1) in the European North Basketball League. Cooper, playing professionally in Austria, proved to be a standout player in the game, earning the title of MVP with a stellar performance. In his debut game for HEFTE HELFEN Bulls Kapfenberg this season, Cooper displayed his prowess by recording an impressive double-double of 23 points and 10 rebounds in just 25 minutes of play. This remarkable achievement is even more commendable considering it is his first season in professional basketball. Currently, his team holds the second position in the league standings, a testament to their strong start to the season. Cooper's impact on the court was undeniable as he not only excelled in scoring and rebounding but also contributed 2 assists to help secure the decisive victory over Pully. His exceptional skills and performance in the game truly exemplified his status as a champion in the making, setting a high standard for himself and his team as they strive for success in the league.
#2. Nick Mayo, a 6'9'' forward and 29-year-old Colonels alumnus from 2019, currently playing professionally in Japan, showcased his skills in a recent game for the Hiroshima Dragonflies. In a thrilling match against the 13th-ranked Ballooners, Mayo proved to be a key player in his team's impressive 100-87 victory on Friday night. He delivered a standout performance by scoring 22 points, pulling down 8 rebounds, and spending 34 minutes on the court. As a result of Mayo's contributions, the Hiroshima Dragonflies, now holding a 2-0 record, sit at the top of the Western Conference in the Japanese B.Premier League. Despite their early success, it's acknowledged that the season is still in its nascent stages, leaving room for unexpected developments. In a subsequent game against Saga B, Mayo continued to shine, once again recording 22 points, 8 rebounds, and 2 assists. His exceptional performance was pivotal in securing another victory for his team, underlining his reputation as a champion. Individually, Mayo has been having an outstanding season, boasting impressive averages of 17.0 points, 8.0 rebounds, and 4.5 assists per game.
#3. Isaiah Cozart, a 25-year-old forward standing at 6'7'' who graduated from EKU in 2024 and received the All-A-Sun Player of the Year award that year, currently competes professionally in France. In a recent match, Cozart, playing for Sluc Nancy Basket Pro, faced off against Paris Basket in the French Betclic ELITE league. Despite his commendable efforts, Cozart's team, Sluc Nancy Basket Pro, fell short against Paris Basket, with a final score of 78-73 in favor of Paris Basket, who holds a higher ranking at #6 in the league. Cozart contributed significantly to the game, scoring 6 points and securing 9 rebounds in his 22 minutes of play. This game marked his debut for Sluc Nancy Basket Pro this season, where he demonstrated his talent on the court as a formidable player. Although Cozart showed promising skills and determination, his team was unable to secure a victory in this matchup.
#4. Kosovan champion Dardan Kapiti, a 26-year-old forward standing at 6'10'' and an alumnus of Colonels from 2023 where he helped them reach the CBI Championship Finalist, currently plays professionally in Kosovo. In a recent game last Saturday, Kapiti was unable to lead Trepca (1-1) to a victory as they were defeated 87-81 at home by the higher-ranked Peja (#3) team. Despite the loss, Kapiti put on a stellar performance, scoring 15 points and grabbing 4 rebounds in just 20 minutes of play. Notably, he was perfect from the free-throw line, going 7-for-7. This marks Kapiti's fourth season with the team, and he continues to demonstrate his skills on the court, maintaining an average of 14.0 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 1.5 assists per game this season.
#5. Collin Cooper, a 6'2'' guard who is 25 years old and graduated from EKU in 2024, made a significant impact during his first game for Targu Mures in the Romanian Liga Nationala. Cooper, who helped EKU win the A-Sun Regular Season Champion title in 2024, showcased his skills by contributing 9 points and 3 assists in just 24 minutes of play. His performance was instrumental in Targu Mures' dominant 93-73 victory over Galati on Saturday night. This game was highly anticipated as it featured a matchup between two top 4 ranked teams in the league. Cooper's team currently holds a strong position in the league standings, and his addition to the roster in his first year with the team has already proven to be valuable. With his impressive display on the court, Cooper reinforced his reputation as a champion player, showcasing his abilities and contributing to his team's success in a convincing win over Galati.
#6. Devontae Blanton, a 24-year-old 6'6'' small forward and Colonels alumnus from 2025, continues to shine as a professional basketball player in Poland. Recently, he played a crucial role in Enea Basket Poznan's impressive 107-98 victory over the 12th-ranked Miasto Szkla in the Polish 1 Liga (second division) on Saturday night. Blanton displayed his skills by scoring 24 points, grabbing 4 rebounds, and dishing out 7 assists in 33 minutes of play. In another standout performance against Krosno, Blanton once again showcased his talent by scoring 24 points, securing 4 rebounds, and providing 7 assists. His stellar play not only led his team to victory but also reinforced his reputation as a champion. Throughout the season, Blanton has maintained high statistical averages, boasting 20.0 points per game, 5.5 rebounds per game, and 8.0 assists per game, which ranks him as the second-best assist leader in the league.
#7. John Ukomadu, a talented 6'7'' forward who is 24 years old and a graduate of EKU in 2024, played a pivotal role in helping his team clinch the A-Sun Regular Season Champion title that year. Currently, he is showcasing his skills as a professional player in the IntCup. In a recent FIBA Intercontinental Cup match, Ukomadu was a standout player for NBA G League United, who dominated the Beijing Royal Fighters with a resounding 119-89 victory. Ukomadu's remarkable performance included scoring 15 points, securing 6 rebounds, and blocking 2 shots in just 19 minutes of play. His noteworthy display on the court, where he scored 15 points, grabbed 6 rebounds, and provided 1 assist against Beijing RF, was instrumental in guiding his team to success. Ukomadu's consistent contributions have established him as a champion player. This season, he boasts an average of 8.8 points per game and 4.8 rebounds per game, showcasing his valuable presence on the court. Furthermore, Ukomadu has a background as a former participant in the prestigious Eurobasket Summer League, which is renowned as a top summer league for players aspiring to pursue basketball opportunities internationally.
#8. In a recent game in the Mexican Liga Nacional de Baloncesto Profesional's second division, the experienced Mexican player, Jorge Camacho, who stands at an impressive 6'9'' and is 37 years old, showcased his skills on the court for Lobos Puebla. Despite only scoring 3 points, grabbing 7 rebounds, and providing 3 assists in 19 minutes of play, Camacho's contribution was crucial in leading his team to a resounding 91-68 victory over the closely-ranked Mineros. Camacho, an alum of Colonels from 2009, currently plays professionally in Mexico, and his performance in this game highlighted his experience and determination as a player. This standout display against the Mineros not only helped secure the win for his team but also demonstrated his value on the court. Throughout the season, Camacho has been averaging 2.4 points, 1.6 rebounds, and 1.1 assists per game, consistently showcasing his skills and making significant contributions to Lobos Puebla's performances.
#9. Montavious Myrick, a 6'8'' forward who is 23 years old and a graduate of EKU in 2026, currently plays professionally in France. In a recent game, Myrick, an All-ASUN Third Team awardee, unfortunately couldn't help Besancon secure a victory as they were defeated 82-80 on their home court by the top-ranked Val de Seine in Group A. Despite his strong performance, where he scored 14 points, grabbed 6 rebounds, and provided 1 assist in 24 minutes of play, Besancon, currently in 12th place, fell short in the game. Myrick showcased his skills against Val de Seine with his impressive stat line of 14 points, 6 rebounds, and 1 assist. Throughout the season, he has maintained solid statistics, averaging 12.0 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 2.0 steals per game.
Other former Eastern Kentucky University players, who play in pro basketball:
Corey Walden (6'2''-PG-1992, played in 2012-15) played for iLerna Lleida in Spanish Liga Endesa
Marcus Lewis (6'5''-G-1992, played in 2012-14) played for Dinamo in Romanian Liga Nationala
Jomaru Brown (6'2''-G-1999, played in 2018-22) signed for Lokomotiv Plovdiv in Bulgarian NBL
Lachlan Anderson (6'9''-F-1997, played in 2016-20) plays for Ipswich Force in Australian NBL One
Eric Stutz (6'8''-F-1992, played in 2011-15) played for Castello in Spanish Segunda FEB
DaShawn Jackson (6'3''-G, played in 2021-24) played for Milton Keynes Breakers in British BCB
Glenn Cosey (6'0''-PG-1992, played in 2012-14) plays for Diablos in Mexican LNBP
Notice: The list above includes only some of alumni playing currently in pro basketball. Check complete list of Eastern Kentucky University basketball alumni.
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Ex-Players
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