Courtesy of Eurobasket LLC Here is the weekly review of the top performing Sharks alumni, who are currently playing in pro basketball.
Especially interesting is good performance of Maurice Kemp (23 points), Randy Rickards (14 points), and Christian Pizarro (12 points).
#1. Maurice Kemp, a seasoned 35-year-old power forward standing at 6'8'' and an alumnus of ECU, showcased his exceptional skills in a recent Israeli Winner League game where he led E.Netanya to a remarkable victory over Ironi Nes-Ziona. Despite Ironi Nes-Ziona being the league leader, Kemp's stellar performance on Sunday night proved instrumental in securing a decisive 102-88 win for his team. Kemp's standout display on the court earned him the MVP title of the game, rightfully recognizing his double-double achievement of 23 points and 14 rebounds, along with 5 assists and 3 steals, all within 34 minutes of play. This game was a highly anticipated match between two top-ranked teams in group Places 11-14, with Elitzur BRIGA Netanya currently holding the third position with a record of 7-19. With only two games remaining in the Play-Out Round, every match becomes crucial for the teams aiming to secure their positions in the league standings. Kemp's exceptional performance against Ironi Nes-Ziona not only led his team to victory but also earned him the prestigious Triple-Double Badge from eurobasket.com. His impressive season averages of 15.1 points, 6.7 rebounds, 2.7 assists, and 1.5 steals per game in the 10 games he has played so far underscore his status as a champion player.
#2. In a thrilling showdown on Wednesday night, Randy Rickards, a 6'7'' forward and Wildcats alummi from the class of 2023, showcased his talent by leading Verdirrojo to a hard-fought victory over the closely-ranked Colon with a final score of 91-84 in the Uruguayan Liga de Ascenso, the second division of basketball in Uruguay. Despite being only in his third season of professional basketball, Rickards delivered a stellar performance, recording a double-double with 14 points and 10 rebounds, while also contributing 3 assists in just 25 minutes of play. His remarkable display of skill and determination on the court truly exemplified his status as a champion. Currently, Verdirrojo Montevideo holds the ninth spot in the league standings with a record of 1-1. With only one game left in the Regular Season, Rickards and his team are gearing up for a crucial match that could potentially determine their fate in the competition. Throughout the season, Rickards has maintained impressive statistics, averaging 13.5 points, 9.0 rebounds, 1.5 assists, and 2.0 steals per game over the course of two games. His consistent performance and leadership have been instrumental in guiding his team towards success, solidifying his reputation as a standout finalist in the league.
#3. In a thrilling matchup on Wednesday night, Christian Pizarro, a 31-year-old guard standing at 5'11'' who graduated from Miami Dade CC in 2015 and currently plays professionally in Puerto Rico, showcased his prowess as a champion. Leading Atleticos de San German to a hard-fought 93-89 victory over the third-ranked Gigantes, Pizarro's performance was nothing short of spectacular. Scoring 12 points, securing 4 rebounds, and distributing 7 assists in just 20 minutes of play, Pizarro's impact on the game was undeniable. This victory was particularly significant as it pitted two of the top 3 teams in Group A against each other, with Atleticos de San German now comfortably seated at the top with a record of 20-10. This win marked the fifth consecutive victory for Pizarro's team, highlighting their impressive form as they head towards the end of the Regular Season with only four games remaining. As the competition intensifies, every game becomes crucial, and Pizarro's leadership and skills as a finalist will be vital in maintaining their winning streak and securing a strong position for the upcoming playoffs. Throughout the season, Pizarro has been a consistent contributor, averaging 2.9 points and 2.1 assists per game in 29 appearances. His valuable contributions both on and off the court reflect his dedication and determination to excel as a true champion in the Puerto Rican Baloncesto Superior Nacional.
#4. Experienced Dominican Republic center Eloy Vargas, standing at 6'11'' and aged 37, is a Wildcats alumnus from 2012. He honed his skills at Miami Dade Community College between 2009 and 2010, where he received the NJCAA D1 All-Americans Second Team award. Currently, Vargas showcases his talent playing professionally in the Dominican Republic. In a recent game, Vargas, a champion in his own right, was unable to lead the Heroes to victory against the Titanes in the Dominican Republic Liga Nacional de Baloncesto. Despite his efforts, he contributed 4 points, 5 rebounds, and 2 blocks in 18 minutes of play. The Heroes, who are currently in third place with a 12-11 record, suffered a 77-91 defeat on the road against the lower-ranked (#6) Titanes in the Places 1-6 group. With only four games remaining in the Second Stage, every upcoming match becomes crucial for the Heroes. Vargas displayed a commendable performance against the Titanes, showcasing his skills with 4 points, 5 rebounds, and 2 assists. However, the finalist's team ultimately faced defeat. Throughout the season, Vargas has maintained solid statistics, averaging 10.2 points per game, 8.8 rebounds per game (ranking fourth in the league), 2.6 assists per game, and 1.2 blocks per game across 21 games.
#5. Matthew Khoury, a 6'3'' guard who graduated from Lindsey Wilson in 2025 and honed his skills at Miami Dade CC between 2021 and 2023, is currently making waves in professional basketball in Lebanon. In a recent game, he led his team, Al Markaziyyah, to a resounding victory over the closely-ranked Hoops with a commanding score of 114-72 in the Lebanese Decathlon Lebanese Basketball League. Despite it being his first season in the pros, Khoury showcased his talent by scoring 22 points and making 3 steals in just 31 minutes of play. Playing for Club Centrale Al Markaziyyah Jounieh, currently ranked sixth in the league with a record of 13-9, Khoury has quickly made an impact in his inaugural year with the team. His remarkable performance in the game against Hoops, where he not only scored 22 points but also secured 2 rebounds and dished out 1 assist, underscored why he is considered a true champion. With an average of 9.0 points, 2.1 rebounds, and 1.1 steals per game over 14 appearances this season, Khoury is proving to be a valuable asset to his team as they strive for success in the league.
Other former Miami Dade College players, who play in pro basketball:
Ciaran Sandy (6'7''-F-1999, played in 2020-21) plays for London Lions in British SLB
Shane Rector (6'2''-G-1994, played in 2014-15) plays for Zonkeys de Tijuana in Mexican CIBACOPA
Elio Corazza (6'5''-PG-1989, played in 2006-10) plays for Sport Club Corinthians Paulista in Brazilian NBB
Marko Krivacevic (6'10''-F-1996, played in 2015-17) plays for Atomeromu in Hungarian A Division
Ibrahim Zahran (6'5''-G-2004, played in 2023-24) plays for Al Ahly Cairo in Egyptian Superleague
Shaquillo Fritz (6'8''-F/C-1994, played in 2015-16) played for Horsens IC in Danish BasketLigaen few monts ago
Gus Okafor (6'7''-F-1999, played in 2019-20) plays for Newcastle Eagles in British SLB
Ricardo Lynch (6'7''-F-1998, played in 2016-17) plays for Bayer Giants Leverkusen in German ProA
Joe Mvuezolo (6'6''-F-1996, played in 2014-16) plays for EJ Sligo All-Stars in Irish Super League
Jahmal Abbey-Wright (6'5''-G/F-1998, played in 2017-19) plays for Teuta in Albanian Superliga
D'Monte Brown (6'4''-G-2000, played in 2021-22) plays for Jena ScCity 2 in German Regionalliga
Luka Ivkovic (6'7''-F-2001, played in 2021-22) plays for Jadran in Serbian 1MRL
Julien Sargent (6'11''-C-1991, played in 2009-10) played for Pattani Raptors in Thailand TEBA last year
Marques Watson (6'5''-G/F-1998, played in 2019-20) plays for CDJR in Portuguese 2.Divisao
Cedric Belemene (6'7''-F-1996, played in 2016-18) plays for Tijola in Spanish Tercera FEB
Devin Brooks (6'1''-G-1992, played in 2010-11) played for Herkimer Originals in the The Basketball Tournament last year
Mike Ramey (6'5''-G-1993, played in 2013-14) plays for Titans in Thailand Warriors League
Mayoum Mayoum (6'4''-G, played in 2022-23) plays for Keilor Thunder in Australian NBL One
Victor Hart (6'8''-F-2001, played in 2019-21) plays for Shinagawa City Basketball Club in Japanese B3 League
Matas Budrys (6'6''-PF-1996, played in 2012-16) played for Catania Alfa in Italian Serie C last year
Notice: The list above includes only some of alumni playing currently in pro basketball. Check complete list of Miami Dade College basketball alumni.
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