Courtesy of Eurobasket LLC Every week we bring you a list of the top former Aggies players who continue their career in pro basketball.
#1. Deshawndre Washington, a 6'7'' guard who graduated from NM State in 2023 and currently plays professionally in Lebanon, showcased his remarkable skills by leading his Lebanese team, Sagesse, to a thrilling victory over league leaders Al-Ula in the West Asia Super League. In a highly anticipated game between two top 4 ranked teams, Sagesse emerged triumphant with a score of 95-89, thanks to Washington's stellar performance. Washington's outstanding display on the court earned him the MVP title of the game, as he recorded an impressive double-double with 39 points and 11 rebounds, along with 3 assists in a 40-minute game. This exceptional performance also earned him the prestigious Triple-Double Badge from eurobasket.com, solidifying his reputation as a champion player. With this win, Sagesse secured their third consecutive victory, positioning themselves second in the league standings behind Al Hekmeh Beirut. As the West Asia Super League Final Stage nears its conclusion with only three games remaining, Washington's consistent high-level performance and impressive season averages of 25.0 points, 11.3 rebounds, and 8.8 assists per game make him a formidable force on the court and a key player to watch in the upcoming critical matches.
#2. Trevelin Queen, a 6'5'' guard and 29-year-old Aggies alumnus from 2020, played a pivotal role in helping his team secure the WAC Regular Season Champion title that year. Currently playing professionally in Russia, he showcased his talent by leading Lokomotiv to a hard-fought 92-87 victory over MBA Moscow, one of the league's struggling teams, in the VTB United League. Despite playing only 13 minutes, Queen managed to score an impressive 15 points in his debut game for Lokomotiv this season. His contribution of 15 points, along with 2 rebounds and 1 assist, was instrumental in securing the win for his team. This remarkable performance highlighted Queen's exceptional skills and unwavering determination on the court, further establishing his reputation as a true champion. As Lokomotiv currently sits at the top of the league standings, it is evident that Queen's impact has been significant early in the season. However, with the season still in its early stages, the competition remains fierce, and anything can happen as teams vie for the coveted title of champion.
#3. In a thrilling match on Wednesday night, Elijah Elliott, a 24-year-old guard standing at 5'9'' and a recent graduate from NM State (Class of 2026), showcased his exceptional talent in leading Nyon to a 95-83 victory over the closely-ranked Starwings in the Swiss Basketball League. Elliott, who currently plays professionally in Switzerland, put on a stellar performance, earning the title of MVP of the game. He scored an impressive 39 points, along with grabbing 6 rebounds and dishing out 8 assists during the intense 40-minute game. This remarkable display is especially noteworthy as it is only Elliott's first season in professional basketball. With this outstanding performance, Elliott emerged as the champion of the game, securing the win for his team. BBC Nyon, with a record of 2-1, currently holds the fourth position in the league standings. Elliott's impressive season continues to shine, with notable statistics including averaging 26.7 points per game (the second-best in the league), 5.3 rebounds per game, 5.0 assists per game (the third-best in the league), and 3.3 steals per game (the second-best in the league). His consistent high-level performance highlights his potential as a standout finalist in the league.
#4. Jemel Jones, a 24-year-old guard standing at 6'4" and an Aggies alumni from 2026, currently plays professionally in Slovenia. Recently, he showcased his skills by leading Ilirija to a decisive 89-79 victory over Triglav, one of the league's weaker teams with a 0-2 record, in the Slovenian Liga OTP banka. Despite playing for just 17 minutes in his first game of the season, Jones managed to score an impressive 12 points, contributing significantly to his team's success. His stellar performance on the court was instrumental in securing the win for his team, solidifying his position as the champion of the game. Currently, his team holds the second spot in the league standings, with Jones emerging as a key player with his standout display.
#5. Experienced champion Mali Bandja Sy, a 6'9'' power forward who is 36 years old and graduated from NM State in 2013 after helping them win the WAC Tournament that year, currently plays professionally in Serbia. In a recent Euroleague game, he played a crucial role for KK Partizan Mozzart Bet Beograd as they secured a hard-fought 86-84 victory over the 12th-ranked Bayern Muenchen. Despite only playing 11 minutes, Sy contributed 5 points and 1 rebound to the team's success. KK Partizan Mozzart Bet Beograd, with a perfect 3-0 record, currently sits in fourth place in the league standings. This undefeated streak is particularly impressive considering it is Sy's first season with the team. His consistent contributions have been essential to the team's success, with Sy averaging 2.5 points per game this season. Notably, Sy holds French nationality, adding an international dimension to his professional basketball career. His impact on the court was evident in the victory over Bayern Muenchen, where his performance helped KK Partizan Mozzart Bet Beograd emerge as the champion of the game.
#6. Julius Mims, a 25-year-old forward standing at 6'9'' and an Aggies alumni from 2026, is currently playing professionally in Belgium. Despite his notable achievements, such as receiving the C-USA All-Academic Team award, Mims was unable to assist Hubo Limburg United in their recent game last Friday. The team suffered a 109-100 defeat on the road against the higher-ranked Kangoeroes (#6), with Mims contributing 17 points and 9 rebounds in just 21 minutes of play. This game marked Mims' debut for Hubo Limburg United this season. In another matchup against Mechelen, Mims showcased his skills by scoring 17 points, securing 9 rebounds, and providing 1 assist. Despite his commendable performance, his team ultimately fell short and ended up on the losing side.
#7. Zach Lofton, a 6'4'' guard who graduated from NM State in 2018 at the age of 32, has been making waves as a professional player in Lebanon. Notably, he played a crucial role in securing the SWAC Regular Season Champion title for his alma mater in 2018. Recently, Lofton showcased his talent and skill on the court while playing for Al Riyadi in a thrilling match against Al-Ula in the West Asia Super League. During the game, he displayed an exceptional performance by contributing 21 points, 3 rebounds, and 7 assists in just 32 minutes of play. His remarkable display of athleticism and strategic play was instrumental in leading his team to a hard-earned victory over the league leader. Throughout the season, Lofton has maintained solid statistics, averaging 12.3 points, 1.3 rebounds, 6.0 assists, and 1.7 steals per game. His consistent performance and significant impact on the court have undoubtedly solidified his reputation as a champion player and a true finalist.
#8. Donnie Tillman, a 6'7'' forward and 27-year-old Aggies alum from the class of 2022, played a key role in helping his team clinch the WAC Regular Season Co-Champion title that year. He currently plays professionally in Norway and recently showcased his skills in a dominant performance against the sixth-ranked Centrum team, leading his squad to an impressive 85-61 victory in the Norwegian Basketligaen Norge on Sunday night. During the game, Tillman displayed his versatility by recording 7 points, 11 rebounds, and 5 assists in just 27 minutes of play. His remarkable showing against Centrum highlights his all-around abilities on the court, as he contributed both offensively and defensively to secure the win for his team. Tillman's impact as a champion was evident throughout the match, underscoring his importance to the team's success. In the current season, Tillman maintains solid averages of 7.0 points, 9.0 rebounds, and 4.0 assists per game, further solidifying his position as a key player and a vital member of his team's quest for success in the league.
#9. Robert Carpenter, a 6'7'' forward who recently graduated from NM State in 2025 and currently plays professionally in Poland, made his debut for Energa Icon Sea Czarni Slupsk in their match against Legia. Despite his strong performance of scoring 9 points and grabbing 4 rebounds in 25 minutes, his team narrowly lost with a final score of 79-76. This game marked Carpenter's first appearance for Energa Icon Sea Czarni Slupsk this season, where he demonstrated his basketball skills on the court. Prior to his professional career, Carpenter was a participant in the prestigious Eurobasket Summer League, known as a top summer league for players aspiring to compete in international basketball.
#10. Polish champion Anthony Wrzeszcz, a 6'4'' shooting guard aged 22 and an Aggies alumnus from 2026, currently playing professionally in Poland, made his debut for WKS Slask Wroclaw. In his first game of the season, Wrzeszcz faced a tough challenge against Arka but could not help his team secure the victory. Despite his valiant efforts, Wrzeszcz only managed to score 4 points and provide 3 assists in 14 minutes of play. Additionally, he grabbed 3 rebounds, showcasing an impressive overall performance. However, his individual contributions were not enough to prevent his team from suffering a 25-point defeat, with a final score of 95-70.
Other former New Mexico State University players, who play in pro basketball:
Pascal Siakam (6'9''-F-1994, played in 2014-16) plays for Indiana Pacers in the NBA
Peter Filipovity (6'7''-F-2001, played in 2024-25) plays for Kaposvari in Hungarian A Division
Amarco Doyle (6'7''-F-2005, played in 2025-26) signed for Illawarra Hawks in Australian NBL
Ivan Aurrecoechea (6'9''-C/F-1995, played in 2018-20) signed for Estudiantes in Spanish Segunda FEB
Xavier Pinson (6'3''-G-2000, played in 2022-23) plays for Ostioneros de Guaymas in Mexican CIBACOPA
Jemerrio Jones (6'5''-G-1995, played in 2016-18) plays for Frayles de Guasave in Mexican CIBACOPA
Jordan Rawls (6'2''-G-2001, played in 2023-24) signed for Beroe in Bulgarian NBL
Tshilidzi Nephawe (6'10''-C-1989, played in 2010-15) signed for Shinshu Brave Warriors Nagano in Japanese B.Premier League
Christian Cook (6'2''-G-2001, played in 2023-25) signed for Stade in German Regionalliga
A.J. Harris (5'9''-PG-1996, played in 2016-16) signed for Bisons in Finnish Korisliiga
Christian Terrell (6'0''-PG-2002, played in 2025-26) signed for Kouvot in Finnish Korisliiga
Dionte Bostick (6'2''-G-2001, played in 2024-25) signed for Apollon in Cypriot ECOMMBX BL
Emmanuel Tshimanga (7'0''-F-2001, played in 2024-25) signed for Vellaznimi in Kosovan Superliga
DK Eldridge (6'4''-SG-1992, played in 2013-15) played for Austin Bats in the ABA
Clarence Jackson (6'7''-F-2000, played in 2023-24) played for Beira Mar in Portuguese 1.Divisao
Hatila Passos (6'11''-C-1985, played in 2006-08) plays for Basket Osasco in Brazilian Paulista
Teddy Allen (6'6''-G-1998, played in 2021-22) plays for Winnipeg Sea Bears in CEBL
Kaosi Ezeague (6'10''-C-1999, played in 2023-24) signed for SBA in Spanish Segunda FEB
Terrell Brown (6'1''-G-1998, played in 2018-20) plays for Angeles de Ciudad de Mexico in Mexican CIBACOPA
Jonathan Gibson (6'2''-PG-1987, played in 2006-10) played for Al-Ula in Saudi Arabian SBL
Nate Tshimanga (6'10''-F, played in 2024-25) plays for Montreal Alliance in CEBL
Sim Bhullar (7'5''-C-1992, played in 2011-11) played for Hsinchu Lioneers in Taiwanese TPBL
Johnny McCants (6'8''-PF-1998, played in 2023-23) plays for Jaibos de Tampico in Mexican CIBAPac
Troy Gillenwater (6'9''-F-1988, played in 2007-11) plays for Dewa United in Indonesian IBL
Jayland Randall (6'5''-G, played in 2025-26) plays for The Enchantment - New Mexico Alumni in the The Basketball Tournament
Notice: The list above includes only some of alumni playing currently in pro basketball. Check complete list of New Mexico State University basketball alumni.
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