Courtesy of Eurobasket LLC Here is the weekly review of the top performing Cardinals alumni, who are currently playing in pro basketball.
#1. Experienced champion Mike James, a 6'1'' guard aged 36, who graduated from Lamar in 2012 and received the All-Southland Conference All-Tournament MVP award that year, currently plays professionally in Turkey. In the recent game, despite his notable performance, James could not help Anadolu Efes Istanbul (1-1) secure a win as they lost 82-89 on the road to the higher-ranked (#8) FC Barcelona. James, the team's top scorer with 22 points, also contributed 4 rebounds and 5 assists in 32 minutes of play. Even though his individual performance was impressive, Anadolu Efes ultimately fell short against FC Barcelona. However, it is important to note that the season is still in its early stages, and there are plenty of opportunities for the team to improve. So far this season, James has been showcasing a strong performance, averaging 17.0 points, 3.0 rebounds, 4.5 assists, and 1.5 steals per game in the two games he has played. As a finalist, James continues to demonstrate his skill and value on the court, contributing significantly to his team's efforts.
#2. Adam Hamilton, a 25-year-old center standing at 6'9'' and an alumnus of the Cardinals from 2025, currently plays professionally in the United Kingdom. Recently, he showcased his skills for Newcastle Eagles in a British Super League Basketball match against the Flyers, helping his team secure a dominant 94-68 victory. Despite scoring only 4 points and grabbing 8 rebounds in 20 minutes of play, Hamilton's impact on the court was undeniable. Newcastle Eagles, with a current record of 1-1, holds the fifth position in the league standings, with Hamilton in his debut season with the team. In a standout performance against the Bristol Flyers, he contributed significantly with 4 points, 8 rebounds, and 1 assist. His exceptional play was crucial in guiding his team to victory and ultimately clinching the champion title. Hamilton's statistics for this season show an average of 6.0 points, 6.0 rebounds, 1.5 assists, and 1.5 steals per game in the two games he has participated in so far. His presence on the court has undoubtedly made a significant impact on the success of Newcastle Eagles as they strive to become the finalist in the league.
#3. TJ Atwood, a 6'6'' guard who is 28 years old and graduated from Lamar in 2020, currently plays professionally in Slovakia. In a recent game, he was unable to assist Iskra Svit (0-2) to a victory as they were defeated 82-96 by the higher-ranked (#3) Spisski Rytieri in Nova Ves. Despite Atwood's strong performance where he scored 10 points, pulled down 9 rebounds, and provided 2 assists in 33 minutes of play, his team still fell short. Throughout the season, Atwood has been a consistent contributor, averaging 9.0 points, 7.5 rebounds, 1.5 assists, and 1.5 steals per game in the two games he has participated in so far. His impressive display on the court showcases his skills and determination as he strives to help his team achieve success despite the challenging competition they face.
#4. In a thrilling match last Saturday, Lincoln Smith (6'5''-F), a Cardinals alumnus from 2022 who now plays professionally in El Salvador, showcased his skills by leading A.Lobos to a hard-fought victory over the ninth-ranked San Salvador with a score of 88-83 in the Salvadorean Liga Mayor Baloncesto's second division. Smith's stellar performance earned him the MVP title of the game as he contributed significantly to his team's success. During the game, Smith displayed his prowess on the court by scoring an impressive 22 points, securing 6 rebounds, making 8 crucial assists, and adding 4 steals in just 35 minutes of gameplay. His exceptional contributions played a pivotal role in securing the victory for A.Lobos, marking their eighth consecutive win in a row and solidifying their position as the second-placed team in the league standings. Smith's standout performance against San Salvador exemplified his exceptional form throughout the season, where he has been a standout player with remarkable statistics. With an average of 20.1 points per game, 7.3 rebounds per game, 4.8 assists per game, and 3.1 steals per game (the second-best in the league), Smith has been a key player for A.Lobos in their journey towards success. His consistent excellence on the court has undoubtedly contributed to his team's achievements, making him a champion player in the league.
#5. Nigerian player Josh Nzeakor, a 6'8'' center who graduated from Lamar in 2019 and received the All-Southland Conference Second Team award that year, currently plays professionally in Turkey. In a recent game against Gaziantep in the Turkish TBL second division, Nzeakor, although performing well with 9 points and 10 rebounds in 35 minutes, was unable to prevent his team, Cedi Osman, from suffering a heavy defeat of 84-62 at home. Despite his solid contribution, Cedi Osman, currently at the bottom of the rankings, has lost all three games in the Regular Season so far. Nzeakor has showcased impressive stats this season, averaging 12.0 points per game and 8.0 rebounds per game in the two games he has played. It is worth noting that he is a naturalized Nigerian player.
#6. Jamaican Tyran De Lattibeaudiere, a 6'5'' power forward and Cardinals alum from 2015, currently playing professionally in Mexico, recently faced off against Mineros in the Mexican Liga Nacional de Baloncesto Profesional. Despite his best efforts, De Lattibeaudiere, the All-Southland Conf. Newcomer of the Year in 2015, was unable to help his team, the Lobos, secure a victory as they were narrowly edged out 84-81. In the game, he contributed 6 points, 3 rebounds, and 1 assist in 18 minutes of play, displaying his skill and determination on the court. Throughout this season, De Lattibeaudiere has been a key player for his team, averaging 9.3 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 1.1 assists per game in the 24 games he has played so far. Despite the outcome of the recent game against Mineros, De Lattibeaudiere continues to be a standout performer for his team in the Mexican league.
Other former Lamar University players, who play in pro basketball:
Kenny Dawkins (5'10''-PG-1987, played in 2007-09) played for Botafogo in Brazilian NBB
James Spencer (6'4''-F-2000, played in 2024-24) played for Earthfriends Tokyo Z in Japanese B.One League
Ja'Sean Jackson (6'0''-PG, played in 2023-25) played for Iskra Svit in Slovakian Tipos SBL
Avery Sullivan (6'8''-F/C-1999, played in 2017-21) signed for Selfoss in Icelandic Division I
Errol White (6'7''-F, played in 2023-26) signed for Vllaznia in Albanian Superliga
Andrew Holifield (6'10''-F-2004, played in 2024-26) played for Oklahoma City Thunder in the NBA Summer League
Danquez Dawsey (6'2''-G-2002, played in 2024-25) plays for Tri-City Tide in the TBL
Brandon Davis (6'6''-G/F-1988, played in 2010-12) plays for Jacksonville 95ers in the TBL
Notice: The list above includes only some of alumni playing currently in pro basketball. Check complete list of Lamar University basketball alumni.
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Ex-Players
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