Courtesy of Eurobasket LLC Here is the weekly review of the top performing Royals alumni, who are currently playing in pro basketball.
#1. Kittitian basketball player Shaun Willett, standing tall at 6'4'' and playing as a guard/forward, is making a name for himself in the professional basketball scene in Mexico. A 29-year-old graduate from Queens, NC in 2019, Willett received the prestigious All-SAC Player of the Year award during his college years. Now, he showcases his talent as a key player for Panteras de Aguascalientes in the Mexican Liga Nacional de Baloncesto Profesional, the second division of Mexican basketball. In a recent thrilling game, Willett led his team to a crucial victory over the 11th-ranked Freseras with a score of 97-88. His stellar performance on the court earned him the title of MVP of the game, recording an impressive double-double with 25 points and 15 rebounds in just 30 minutes of play. This victory marked Panteras de Aguascalientes' third consecutive win, securing their third-place position in the league standings. With only four games remaining in the Regular Season, every match becomes crucial for Willett and his team. Despite this being his first season with Panteras de Aguascalientes, Willett has already proven himself as a formidable asset with his remarkable skills and determination. His exceptional display against the Freseros not only led the team to victory but also earned him the prestigious Triple-Double Badge from eurobasket.com, solidifying his status as a champion player. Throughout the season, Willett has maintained solid statistics, averaging 10.4 points, 5.2 rebounds, 1.3 assists, and 1.3 steals per game. As a naturalized American player, he continues to impress fans and basketball enthusiasts alike with his talent and dedication on the court.
#2. Mike Davis Jr., a 6'4'' shooting guard and Royals alumni from 2018, showcased his skills in a recent game for Esenler Erokspor Istanbul in Turkey. Despite his commendable performance, where he scored 25 points and contributed 3 assists in 32 minutes of play, Erokspor suffered an 88-79 loss to Glint Korfez, who are ranked #4 in the league. Davis Jr. was the standout player of the match, displaying his scoring prowess. This game marked his debut for Esenler Erokspor Istanbul this season, as he embarks on his first year with the team. While the team faced a defeat in this early stage of the season, there is still much potential for them to improve and succeed as the season progresses.
#3. Kenny Dye, a 6'0'' point guard who graduated from Queens, NC in 2023 and received the All-A-Sun Second Team award that year, is currently playing professionally in Germany. In a recent matchup, Dye's team, FIT/One Wuerzburg Baskets, faced a tough opponent in EWE Baskets, the undefeated champion of the German easyCredit BBL. Despite his efforts, Dye was unable to lead his team to victory, as they fell short with a final score of 77-68 on the road. During the game, Dye managed to score only 3 points while also contributing 9 assists in 26 minutes of play. Although he put up a solid performance with 3 points, 3 rebounds, and 9 assists in a game against Oldenburg, his team unfortunately suffered another loss. So far this season, Dye has been averaging 3.0 points, 2.0 rebounds, and 4.5 assists per game. While the recent game may not have been one of his best, Dye continues to showcase his skills and dedication as he strives to make a significant impact for his team in the German league.
#4. Todd Withers, a 30-year-old 6'8'' forward and a former Royal from the 2018 season, currently plays professionally in Germany. Recently, Withers, a finalist of the SAC All-Tournament Team in 2018, suited up for the Rostock Seawolves but unfortunately couldn't turn the tide in their game last Thursday. Despite his commendable performance, Rostock suffered a narrow 81-78 loss to the higher-ranked EnBW (#7) in Ludwigsburg. Withers contributed 10 points in 21 minutes of play, showcasing his skills on the court. In the challenging matchup against Ludwigsburg, Withers displayed his talent by scoring 10 points and securing 1 rebound. However, despite his notable efforts, the victory eluded his team. Throughout this season, Withers has been averaging 7.7 points per game and 1.3 rebounds per game, demonstrating his consistency and value to the team.
#5. BJ McLaurin, a 25-year-old forward standing at 6'8'' who graduated from Queens, NC in 2024 and received the A-Sun All-Academic Team award that year, currently plays professional basketball in the Czech Republic. In a recent game last Wednesday, McLaurin, despite his strong performance, was unable to assist H.Kralove (1-2) as they suffered a crushing 111-87 defeat at the hands of the higher-ranked Srsni (#3) in Pisek. During the game, McLaurin emerged as the second-best scorer for his team, contributing 14 points while also securing 5 rebounds in 27 minutes on the court. Despite his notable efforts, H.Kralove was unable to overcome the tough opposition presented by Srsni Pisek, resulting in a loss for McLaurin's team. Throughout the season, McLaurin has maintained an average of 8.3 points per game and 4.0 rebounds per game, showcasing his consistent performance on the court.
#6. Chris Ashby, a 6'2'' guard who is 22 years old and a Royals alumnus from 2026, played a crucial role in helping his team become the ASUN Tournament champion that year. Currently, he is playing professionally in the Czech Republic and is a teammate of the previously mentioned BJ McLaurin. In a recent game in the Maxa NBL league, Ashby unfortunately could not lead H.Kralove to victory over Pardubice. Despite his best efforts, scoring 8 points in 30 minutes of play, his team was defeated 88-78. Ashby displayed a commendable performance against Pardubice, contributing 8 points, 2 rebounds, and 2 assists. This season, Ashby has been averaging 9.0 points per game and 2.0 assists per game.
Other former Queens University players, who play in pro basketball:
Jamari Smith (6'8''-C/F-2000, played in 2018-22) signed for Honved in Hungarian A Division
Kalib Mathews (6'4''-G-2001, played in 2020-25) played for Zaporizhye in Ukrainian Superleague
Leonardo Colimerio (6'7''-F-2001, played in 2024-25) plays for Eltham Wildcats in Australian NBL One
Jay'Den Turner (6'6''-F-2001, played in 2019-23) signed for Oliveirense in Portuguese Liga Betclic
AJ McKee (6'2''-G, played in 2019-24) plays for NTD in Azerbaijani ABL
Carlos Andrade (6'6''-SF-1978, played in 1999-03) plays for Amibasket in Cape Verdean ACVB
Jalin Alexander (6'3''-SG-1994) plays for PrimeTime Players in the ECBL
Andre Lockhart (6'0''-PG-1986, played in 2005-09) played for London L. II in British NBL D1
Notice: The list above includes only some of alumni playing currently in pro basketball. Check complete list of Queens University basketball alumni.
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