Courtesy of Eurobasket LLC Every week we bring you a list of the top former Golden Eagles players who continue their career in pro basketball.
Especially interesting is good performance of Emmanuel Nzekwesi (21 points), Trey Phipps (17 points), and Deondre Burns (2 points).
#1. Dutch Emmanuel Nzekwesi, a 6'8'' forward/center who graduated from ORU in 2020 at the age of 28, is currently playing professionally in Romania. In a recent game, he led his team, CSM CSU Oradea, to a thrilling 87-84 victory over the league-leading Cluj Napoca in the Romanian Liga Nationala Baschet de Masculin. Nzekwesi's stellar performance earned him the title of MVP, as he scored 21 points and secured 7 rebounds in just 23 minutes of play. This game was a highly anticipated matchup between two top 4 ranked teams, and Oradea's victory solidified their position as the league leaders with a record of 23-5. Nzekwesi's impressive display on the court not only helped his team secure their third consecutive win but also showcased his skills as a champion. It was a memorable performance that highlighted his importance to the team in his first season with them. Throughout the season, Nzekwesi has maintained strong statistics, averaging 13.5 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 1.1 assists per game. His consistent contributions and standout performances demonstrate why he is considered a finalist in the league and a key player for Oradea.
#2. Trey Phipps, a 6'2'' guard and RiverHawks alumni from 2025, showcased his talent by leading Frayles de Guasave to a resounding 111-83 victory over the eighth-ranked Pioneros Los Mochis in the Mexican Circuito de Baloncesto de la Costa del Pacifico. Phipps, who played for ORU between 2021 and 2024 before turning pro in Mexico, was named the MVP of the game for his outstanding performance. In his debut season in professional basketball, Phipps demonstrated his skills by scoring 17 points, providing 3 assists, and contributing 3 rebounds in just 23 minutes of play. These impressive statistics highlight his impact on the court and solidify his reputation as a finalist. Frayles de Guasave, currently positioned second in the league with a record of 23-17, owes much of their success to Phipps' stellar performance. With an average of 15.3 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 2.3 assists per game, Phipps has maintained a high level of play throughout the season. His consistent contributions have undoubtedly been instrumental in his team's victories and have established him as a standout player in the league.
#3. Deondre Burns, a 6'3'' guard who graduated from ORU in 2020 and received the All-Summit League Second Team award that year, currently plays professionally in Cyprus. Despite his best efforts, Burns, a standout player, could not lead Keravnos (21-2) to victory against AEK Larnaca (22-1) in the Cypriot ECOMMBX Basket League. The game on Monday was not one of Burns' finest moments as he only managed to score 2 points and secure 5 rebounds in 33 minutes of play. Unfortunately, Keravnos suffered a 68-64 loss on the road to the formidable AEK Larnaca, despite Burns' contributions of 2 points, 5 rebounds, and 2 assists in the match. Although Burns showcased his skills on the court, his team ultimately fell short in securing the win. Throughout the season, Burns has maintained respectable statistics, averaging 14.1 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 3.3 assists per game. Despite the recent setback, Burns remains a key player for Keravnos and continues to demonstrate his talent and determination on the court.
#4. In a recent game, the DR Congolese player Elijah Lufile, a former Golden Eagles alumni from 2022 standing at 6'7'' and playing as a forward/center, showcased his talent by leading the Niagara River Lions to a convincing 87-72 victory against the Alliance in the Canadian Elite Basketball League. Despite the River Lions having a somewhat weak 2-3 record so far this season, Lufile's performance was instrumental in securing this important win. During the game, Lufile demonstrated his skills by contributing 12 points, 7 rebounds, and 3 assists in just 25 minutes of play. His all-around performance was crucial for his team's success on the court. It's still early in the season, and the team's record may improve as the season progresses, showing that there is potential for a turnaround. Notably, in a previous matchup against Montreal, Lufile displayed his abilities once again by scoring 12 points, grabbing 7 rebounds, and providing 3 assists to help his team emerge victorious. His consistent and impactful contributions highlight why he is considered a champion player in the league. Throughout this season, Lufile has maintained solid averages of 8.6 points per game, 4.8 rebounds per game, and 1.2 assists per game, further solidifying his importance to the team. It is also interesting to note that he holds dual American and DR Congolese citizenship, allowing him to play as a domestic player in DR Congo if needed.
Other former Oral Roberts University players, who play in pro basketball:
Dominique Morrison (6'6''-SF-1989, played in 2008-12) plays for Niigata Albirex in Japanese B3 League
Samuel Alajiki (6'7''-F-2002, played in 2024-25) plays for Pistoia in Italian Serie A2
Max Abmas (6'0''-PG-2001, played in 2019-23) plays for Mets de Guaynabo in Puerto Rican BSN
Francis Lacis (6'7''-F-1999, played in 2018-22) played for Rigas Zelli in Latvian LBL few monts ago
Jalen Bradley (6'1''-PG-1993, played in 2015-17) played for Leones in Dominican Rep. LNB last year
Issac McBride (6'1''-G-2000, played in 2021-25) plays for Santa Cruz Warriors in the NBA G League
Michael Craion (6'6''-F-1989, played in 2009-12) played for Union SF in Argentinian La Liga last year
Jalen Miller (6'2''-G, played in 2023-25) plays for LU in Latvian LBL
Carlos Jurgens (6'5''-G-1998, played in 2018-23) plays for Ourense in Spanish Primera FEB
Kaelen Malone (6'1''-PG-1995, played in 2018-19) played for Geelong United in Australian NBL One last year
Shawn King (6'10''-C-1982, played in 2006-08) played for Gravenchon in French NM2 last year
Kareem Thompson (6'5''-G-2001, played in 2020-24) plays for Lyon in French NM1
DeShang Weaver (6'7''-F-1999, played in 2019-24) played for Spintex in Ghanian ABL D1 last year
Notice: The list above includes only some of alumni playing currently in pro basketball. Check complete list of Oral Roberts University basketball alumni.
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