Courtesy of Eurobasket LLC Here is the weekly review of the top performing Golden Panthers alumni, who are currently playing in pro basketball.
#1. Czech Republic's Isnelle Natabou, a 6'4'' forward aged 27 and a graduate of FIU in 2025, currently competes professionally in Belgium. In a recent match against Lummen, one of the weaker teams in the Belgian Top Division Women league, she played a key role in her team's dominant 121-35 victory. Natabou showcased her skills by scoring 9 points and securing 11 rebounds in just 21 minutes of play, marking an impressive debut for Namur this season. Despite this strong performance, her team is currently positioned fourth in the league standings. However, as it is still early in the season, there is ample opportunity for the team's ranking to change. Natabou's talent and impact on the court were evident in the game against Lummen, solidifying her position as a key player for Namur. As the season progresses, all eyes will be on Natabou to see if she can continue to shine and lead her team to success as the finalist.
#2. Hungarian Janka Hegedus, a 6'1'' guard/forward aged 32 and an alumna of the Golden Panthers from 2017, demonstrated her prowess on the court by helping Csata Diaksport Egyesulet secure a resounding 90-63 victory over league underdogs Vasas Akademia (0-3) in a thrilling derby match in the Hungarian Nemzeti Bajnoksag I/A last Wednesday. Hegedus, who currently plays professionally in Hungary, showcased her skills by scoring 7 points in just 20 minutes of play. Despite Csata Diaksport Egyesulet being ranked sixth in the league with a 2-1 record, Hegedus's standout performance against Vasas Akademia truly shone. In addition to her 7 points, she also contributed 2 rebounds and 2 assists, playing a pivotal role in the team's victory. Her exceptional display on the court undoubtedly played a decisive role in securing the win, ultimately leading her team to be crowned champion in the game. Throughout this season, Hegedus has maintained an average of 5.7 points per game and 2.0 rebounds per game across the three games she has played so far, showcasing her consistency and value to the team. Her stellar performance against Vasas Akademia highlights her dedication, talent, and ability to step up when it matters most, making her a key player for Csata Diaksport Egyesulet in their pursuit of success in the league.
#3. Ariel Colon, a 5'10'' guard who graduated from FIU in 2022 and received an All-C-USA Honorable Mention award that year, currently plays professionally in Puerto Rico. In a recent game, she was a major contributor to Leonas de Ponce's victory over the Cariduros, one of the league's weakest teams with a record of 1-7, with a score of 87-79. Colon showcased her skills by scoring 18 points, grabbing 6 rebounds, and playing for 30 minutes on the court. Leonas de Ponce, currently placed eighth in the league with a record of 2-4, secured their first win following four consecutive losses, thanks in large part to Colon's exceptional performance. Despite the team's challenging season, Colon emerged as a standout champion in the game, leading her team to victory. This marked a significant moment for the team as they concluded the Regular Season. Notably, this is Colon's first season with Leonas de Ponce, and she has demonstrated impressive statistics throughout the year, averaging 10.3 points, 3.5 rebounds, 1.5 assists, and 2.0 steals per game over six games. Her dual American and Puerto Rican citizenship allows her to play in Puerto Rico as a domestic player, further enhancing her value to the team as a key finalist in their lineup.
#4. Aaliyah Pitts, a 24-year-old 6'0'' forward and alumna of the Golden Panthers from 2025, showcased her prowess as a professional player in Iceland by leading KR Reykjavik to a convincing 84-68 victory over the closely-ranked Valur (1-1) in a derby game in the Icelandic Bonus League last Tuesday. In an impressive display of skill, Pitts scored 11 points, grabbed 7 rebounds, and dished out 7 assists during her 35 minutes on the court. The matchup between KR Reykjavik and Valur, both top 4 ranked teams, was highly anticipated, and Pitts' performance was crucial in securing the win for her team. This victory further solidified her reputation as a champion on the court. Despite it being her first season with the team, Pitts demonstrated her value with an exceptional all-around contribution in the game. With an average of 13.0 points, 7.0 rebounds, 4.5 assists, and 3.0 steals per game in the two games played so far this season, Pitts has been delivering consistently good performances. Her impact on the team's success is evident, establishing her as a standout finalist in the league.
#5. Experienced Russian Maria Davydova, a 6'3'' forward/center who is 33 years old and a graduate of FIU in 2015 with the C-USA All-Academic Team award, currently plays professional basketball in Spain. In a recent game, she led Sevilla to a notable victory over the 12th-ranked Leon with a final score of 84-73 in the Spanish Liga Femenina Challenge, which is the second division of women's basketball in Spain. Davydova's exceptional performance during the game earned her the title of MVP, as she contributed 16 points, 6 rebounds, and 1 assist in just 22 minutes of play. This game marked her debut for Sevilla this season, showcasing her skill and impact on the court. Despite her team being placed seventh in the league standings, Davydova's leadership and prowess as a champion player were evident in her standout performance that ultimately led her team to victory.
Other former Florida International University players, who play in pro basketball:
Mihaela Lazic (5'6''-SG-2000, played in 2022-23) signed for Besiktas in Turkish KBSL
Maria Torres (6'1''-F/G, played in 2021-24) plays for Leganes in Spanish LF Endesa
Lucia Fleta Robles (5'7''-G, played in 2024-25) played for Real Canoe in Spanish LF2
Giulia Bongiorno (5'11''-G-2000, played in 2019-21) played for Brescia in Italian Serie A1
Carmen Miloglav (5'7''-G-1991, played in 2009-13) plays for Ragusa in Croatian Premijer Liga
Sariana Rodriguez (6'1''-SG-2001, played in 2022-23) plays for Leonas de Ponce in Puerto Rican BSNF
Notice: The list above includes only some of alumni playing currently in pro basketball. Check complete list of Florida International University basketball alumni.
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