Courtesy of Eurobasket LLC Every week we bring you a list of the top former Dukes players who continue their career in pro basketball.
#1. Bosnia and Herzegovina's Kamiah Smalls, a 28-year-old guard standing at 5'10'', is a true champion both on and off the court. Having graduated from JMU in 2020 and receiving the prestigious All-CAA Player of the Year award that same year, she currently showcases her exceptional talent playing professionally in Turkey. In a recent game, she led her team, Galatasaray, to a resounding 85-62 victory over the ninth-ranked Mersin in the Turkish Herbalife KBSL. Smalls' stellar performance included scoring 17 points, grabbing 6 rebounds, and dishing out 2 assists in 34 minutes of play. Despite the early stage of the season, Galatasaray Cagdas Factoring Istanbul, with a 2-0 record, currently holds the third position in the league. However, as the season progresses, anything can happen in this competitive league. Kamiah Smalls has truly shone as a finalist player, consistently delivering remarkable performances. Her impressive statistics speak volumes about her skills, averaging 15.5 points, 5.5 rebounds, 2.0 assists, and 1.5 steals per game in the two matches she has played so far. It is worth noting that Smalls, a naturalized Bosnian, continues to make a significant impact with her exceptional abilities, solidifying her status as a champion in the world of professional basketball.
#2. Kiyana McGill-Jefferson, a 6'1'' guard and 25-year-old Cardinals alumna from 2024, previously played for JMU between 2019 and 2023 before embarking on her professional career in Israel. In a recent game in the Israeli Division A Women league, McGill-Jefferson, now a finalist, led Hapoel Rishon Le-Zion to a thrilling 77-76 victory against the eighth-ranked H. Petah Tikva. Despite it only being her third season in professional basketball, McGill-Jefferson showcased her skills by scoring 14 points, grabbing 6 rebounds, and dishing out 2 assists during the game. Her stellar performance was instrumental in securing the narrow one-point win for her team. Hapoel Rishon Le-Zion currently holds a 3-0 record in the league, with McGill-Jefferson playing a significant role in their undefeated streak during the Regular Season. With an average of 13.3 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 3.0 assists per game in the three games played so far, McGill-Jefferson has been a key player for her team. Her consistent contributions on the court have not only helped her team achieve success but have also highlighted her potential as a champion in the making.
Other former James Madison University players, who play in pro basketball:
Kseniia Kozlova (6'4''-C-2001, played in 2022-25) played for BLMA in French LFB
Jacqueline Benitez (5'10''-G-1997, played in 2018-20) plays for Cariduros in Puerto Rican BSNF
Kamiah Smalls is last week best Dukes alumni, who plays professional basketball (Photo: @reyervenezia)
Ex-Players
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
