Courtesy of Eurobasket LLC We bring you last week's top former Hornets players who are currently playing in pro basketball.
#1. Australian Hunter Marks, a 6'9'' forward who is 27 years old and graduated in 2023, showcased his skills as a professional player in Australia during a recent game. Playing for Logan Thunder, Marks played a crucial role in their victory over the 11th-ranked Rockets, with a convincing scoreline of 117-92 in the Australian NBL One, which is the second division league. This victory highlighted Marks' impact, as he notched a double-double performance, scoring 21 points, grabbing 10 rebounds, and contributing 2 blocks in just 26 minutes of play. It is noteworthy that this exceptional performance occurred in only his third season in professional basketball. The Logan Thunder team, currently holding a 6-2 record and placed fourth in the North group, greatly benefited from Marks' prowess on the court. In a recent game against Rockhampton R., Marks continued to shine by scoring 21 points, securing 10 rebounds, and providing 2 assists, ultimately leading his team to victory. His remarkable display of skills and contribution to the win rightfully earned him the title of the champion of the game. Throughout the season, Marks has maintained solid statistics, averaging 13.1 points per game, 6.4 rebounds per game, and 1.8 assists per game. His consistent performance and impact on the court have undoubtedly solidified his position as a key player for Logan Thunder and a standout champion in the league.
#2. Marcus Graves, a 29-year-old 6'1'' guard and alum of the Hornets from 2019, is currently playing professionally in Germany. In a recent game, he led Phoenix Hagen to a dominant 85-65 victory over Eisbaeren Bremerhaven in the German BARMER 2. Basketball Bundesliga ProA, the second division. Despite a closely-ranked opponent, Graves showcased his skills by scoring 12 points, grabbing 4 rebounds, and dishing out 9 assists in just 25 minutes of play. This game, which featured two top 4 ranked teams, highlighted Graves' impact on Phoenix Hagen, who currently sits atop the league with a record of 28-6. This season marks Graves' first with the team, and he has been delivering consistent performances, averaging 13.7 points, 3.6 rebounds, 5.5 assists, and 1.1 steals per game. In the matchup against Bremerhaven, Graves played like a champion, demonstrating his offensive and defensive prowess to secure the win for his team. His well-rounded contributions on the court truly exemplified his role as a key player for Phoenix Hagen, showcasing his potential as a finalist in the league.
#3. In a recent match, the talented 29-year-old champion from New Zealand, Izayah Le'afa, a 6'2'' guard who graduated from Sacramento St. in 2020 and received an All-Big Sky Conf. Honorable Mention award, showcased his skills for the finalist Wellington Saints. Despite scoring just 3 points, Le'afa played a pivotal role in the team's impressive 105-84 victory over the Jets, contributing 5 assists and 3 steals in 32 minutes of play. Wellington Saints, currently ranked fourth in the league with a 7-3 record, benefitted greatly from Le'afa's exceptional performance against the Jets. His stat line of 3 points, 3 rebounds, and 5 assists highlighted his impact on the court, helping his team secure a crucial win as they strive towards becoming the champion. Le'afa's season averages of 7.2 points, 4.7 rebounds, 7.7 assists (second best in the league), and 1.5 steals further solidify his importance to the team's success.
#4. In a thrilling match on Friday night, Taiwanese Yung-Cheng Wu, a 29-year-old guard standing at 6'2'' and a former Hornets alumnus from 2019 who now plays professionally in Taiwan, played a crucial role in guiding the Taipei Fubon Braves to a narrow 97-95 victory over the league-leading Pilots (21-3) in the Taiwanese P. League+ second division. Despite only scoring 2 points in 7 minutes on the court, Wu's contribution was pivotal to the Braves' triumph in a highly anticipated showdown between two top 4 ranked teams. The victory marked the fifth consecutive win for his team, who currently hold the second position in the league standings. Wu's performance against the Pilots, where he scored 2 points and secured 2 rebounds, was instrumental in clinching the important win. His display of skill and tenacity highlighted his capabilities as a champion player on the court. Throughout the season, Wu has been averaging 3.2 points per game, consistently demonstrating his value to the Taipei Fubon Braves as they strive for success in the league.
#5. Experienced champion Mikh McKinney, a 6'1'' guard who is 34 years old and graduated from Sacramento State in 2015, where he received the All-Big Sky Conference Player of the Year award, currently plays professionally in Mexico. In a recent game, he played a crucial role in the Astros de Jalisco's narrow 105-103 victory over the seventh-ranked Caballeros de Culiacan with a 2-point lead in the Mexican Circuito de Baloncesto de la Costa del Pacifico on Friday night. Despite only scoring 6 points in 21 minutes, McKinney's contribution was significant, as his team secured their 14th consecutive win. The Astros de Jalisco, with a record of 38-2, currently hold the top spot in the league standings. In the game against Culiacan, McKinney not only scored 6 points but also grabbed 1 rebound and provided 2 assists. His performance was instrumental in helping his team emerge as the champion of the game. Throughout this season, McKinney has maintained an average of 6.9 points, 2.5 rebounds, and 3.1 assists per game. It is worth noting that McKinney is a naturalized Filipino, adding to his diverse background and experience in basketball.
Other former Sacramento State University players, who play in pro basketball:
Ethan Esposito (6'7''-F-1999, played in 2018-21) plays for Brindisi in Italian Serie A2
Brandon Davis (6'2''-G-2000, played in 2018-18) played for Capitanes de Arecibo in Puerto Rican BSN few monts ago
Jacob Holt (6'9''-F-2003, played in 2023-25) plays for Fraport Skyliners Frankfurt in German BBL
Cody Demps (6'4''-G-1993, played in 2012-16) plays for Hapoel Altshuler Shaham Beer Sheva in Israeli Winner League
Akol Mawein (6'9''-F-2000, played in 2022-24) plays for Nanjing Monkey Kings in Chinese CBA
Joshua Patton (6'8''-C-1997, played in 2015-15) plays for Sopron KC in Hungarian A Division
Christian Terrell (6'5''-G-1997, played in 2019-19) played for Bisons in Finnish Korisliiga last year
Justin Strings (6'7''-F-1996, played in 2014-18) plays for Goes in Uruguayan LUB
Brandon Betson (6'1''-G, played in 2023-24) played for Cair 2030 in North Macedonian Super League last year
Callum McRae (7'1''-C-1999, played in 2022-23) played for Nelson Giants in New Zealand NBL last year
Julian Vaughns (6'3''-PG-2001, played in 2024-25) plays for Kosice Wolves in Slovakian Tipos SBL
Nick Hornsby (6'7''-F-1995, played in 2013-17) plays for Hangtuah in Indonesian IBL
John Dickson (6'6''-F-1990, played in 2009-13) played for Kwa-Zulu Marlins in South African BNL last year
Notice: The list above includes only some of alumni playing currently in pro basketball. Check complete list of Sacramento State University basketball alumni.
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Ex-Players
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