Courtesy of Eurobasket LLC Every week we bring you a list of the top former Purple Eagles players who continue their career in pro basketball.
Especially interesting is good performance of Jordan Cintron (13 points), Jhaylon Martinez (15 points), and Marcus Hammond (5 points).
#1. Jordan Cintron, a 6'8'' forward who graduated from Niagara in 2022, has been making waves in the Puerto Rican Baloncesto Superior Nacional. Recently, he led Vaqueros de Bayamon to a resounding 86-57 victory over the league leaders, Atleticos, in a thrilling matchup. In this game, Cintron showcased his skills by scoring 13 points and grabbing 4 rebounds in just 20 minutes of play. This standout performance was crucial as Vaqueros de Bayamon emerged victorious in a highly anticipated clash between two top 3 ranked teams in Group B. With this win, Vaqueros de Bayamon solidified their position at the top of the standings with a record of 19-11, setting the stage for an exciting final stretch of the Regular Season, with only four games remaining. Cintron's impact goes beyond this single game, as he has been a key player for his team throughout the season, averaging 6.5 points and 2.7 rebounds per game in the 26 games he has played so far. His dual American and Puerto Rican citizenship allows him to compete as a domestic player in Puerto Rico, further enhancing his value to the team. Most notably, Cintron's exceptional performance against San German not only helped secure a crucial victory but also earned him the title of champion in that particular match. As the season progresses and every game becomes increasingly critical, Cintron's contributions will be vital in guiding Vaqueros de Bayamon towards success in the championship race.
#2. Jhaylon Martinez, a 24-year-old former Purple Eagles alumni from 2025, currently playing professionally in Australia, recently showcased his talent for the struggling South West Slammers. Despite his remarkable efforts, the team, currently placed 14th with a 1-14 record, suffered a close 71-77 defeat on the road against the higher-ranked Eagles from the West group. Martinez, standing tall at 6'11'' and playing as a center, delivered an impressive double-double performance in just his first season in professional basketball. He scored 15 points, secured 13 rebounds, and played for a total of 31 minutes. Nevertheless, this was not enough to secure a victory for the struggling SW Slammers, who faced their 14th consecutive loss. Martinez continued to impress in a previous game against East Perth E, contributing significantly with 15 points, 13 rebounds, and 1 assist. Despite his noteworthy performance, his team fell short once again. His exceptional display on the court earned him the prestigious Triple-Double Badge from eurobasket.com, further solidifying his status as a finalist. Throughout the season, Martinez has maintained solid statistics, averaging 12.8 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 1.5 assists per game over 15 matches. It is worth noting that his participation in the Eurobasket Summer League played a crucial role in securing his position in professional basketball, where he continues to demonstrate his skills and potential.
#3. Marcus Hammond, a 6'3'' guard who is 25 years old and a Notre Dame graduate in 2023, previously played for Niagara from 2018 to 2022 where he received the All-MAAC First Team award. He currently plays professionally in France, where he recently helped Union Poitiers Basket 86 secure a victory against Pau-Lacq-Orthez in the French ELITE 2 league. In a standout performance, Hammond scored 5 points, grabbed 2 rebounds, and provided 4 assists in 27 minutes of play, contributing significantly to his team's 106-82 victory over their closely-ranked opponents. Currently, Union Poitiers Basket 86 holds the fifth position in the league with a record of 24-14. Hammond's impressive performance highlights his skills and determination as a champion, showcasing his ability to lead his team to success. Throughout the season, Hammond has maintained strong statistics, averaging 14.4 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 3.9 assists per game in 42 appearances, further solidifying his position as a finalist.
#4. James Towns II, a 28-year-old point guard standing at 5'10" and an alumnus of Purple Eagles from 2020, showcased his skills in a recent game for the Tri-City Tide in The Basketball League. He led his team to a thrilling 1-point victory against the St. Louis Griffins with a final score of 116-115 on Thursday night. Towns II's stellar performance included 16 points, 7 assists, and 4 steals in 32 minutes of play. The Tri-City Tide, with a record of 20-3 this season, has been enjoying a successful run, winning their ninth consecutive game. Towns II's valuable contributions on the court have been instrumental in the team's success, culminating in their championship win against the St. Louis Griffins. Throughout the season, Towns II has maintained impressive statistics, averaging 13.0 points, 2.6 rebounds, 6.1 assists, and 2.0 steals per game in the 14 games he has played. His consistent performance and leadership have solidified his position as a key player for the Tri-City Tide as they continue their journey towards becoming the ultimate champion in The Basketball League.
#5. Canadian Olumide Adelodun, a 6'5'' guard who is 22 years old and graduated from Niagara in 2025, made a significant impact in the Canadian Elite Basketball League. In a recent game, he led the Calgary Surge to a thrilling 102-99 victory over the Honey Badgers, scoring 13 points in just 17 minutes of play. This victory was particularly noteworthy as the Calgary Surge had been struggling with a 1-10 record prior to this game, having suffered ten consecutive losses. Adelodun's stellar performance continued in another game against Brampton, where he once again played a pivotal role in securing a victory for his team. In that game, he scored an impressive 13 points, grabbed 1 rebound, and provided 2 assists. His contributions on the court helped the Calgary Surge secure the win and advance to the final of the league, where they ultimately emerged as the champion. Throughout the season, Adelodun has been a key player for the Calgary Surge, averaging 9.8 points per game and 4.5 rebounds per game in 11 games. It is worth noting that Adelodun holds both American and Canadian citizenship, allowing him to play in Canada as a domestic player and showcase his talent in the league.
Other former Niagara University players, who play in pro basketball:
Sam Iorio (6'7''-F-1998, played in 2021-23) plays for Hapoel Altshuler Shaham Beer Sheva in Israeli Winner League
Yaw Obeng-Mensah (6'8''-PF-2000, played in 2023-24) plays for Rogaska in Slovenian Liga OTP banka
Justice Smith (6'6''-G, played in 2024-25) plays for Pyrinto in Finnish Korisliiga
Chris Barton (6'3''-G-1996, played in 2015-19) plays for Delta in Georgian Superleague
Luke Bumbalough (6'1''-G, played in 2023-24) played for Maia Basket in Portuguese Proliga few monts ago
Kahlil Dukes (6'0''-G-1995, played in 2015-15) plays for Kocaeli in Turkish TBL
Alioune Tew (6'9''-C-1992, played in 2017-18) played for V Islanders in Vietnamese D2 last year
Notice: The list above includes only some of alumni playing currently in pro basketball. Check complete list of Niagara University basketball alumni.
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