Courtesy of Eurobasket LLC Here is the weekly review of the top performing Pirates alumni, who are currently playing in pro basketball.
#1. In a thrilling match last Sunday, Kaela Hilaire, a 28-year-old point guard standing at 5'2'', showcased her skills and led Atenienses de Manati to a remarkable victory over the Criollas in the Puerto Rican Baloncesto Superior Nacional Femenino. The closely-ranked teams faced off in a highly anticipated game, with Atenienses de Manati emerging as the champion with a final score of 86-76. Hilaire's stellar performance earned her the title of MVP of the game. She demonstrated her prowess on the court by scoring 24 points, grabbing 5 rebounds, and delivering 8 assists in the 36 minutes she played. Her exceptional contributions were pivotal in securing the win for her team, marking their fourth consecutive victory in the league. Atenienses de Manati, currently holding the top spot in the league with a record of 7-1, showcased their dominance in the game against the Criollas. This victory further solidified their position as a formidable contender in the competition. Despite this being her first season with the team, Hilaire has made a significant impact with her outstanding performance. Throughout the season, she has consistently delivered impressive statistics, averaging 15.3 points per game, 4.1 rebounds per game, 8.3 assists per game (leading the league in this category), and 2.1 steals per game in the eight games she has played so far. Hilaire's exceptional skills and leadership have undoubtedly made her a standout finalist in the league.
#2. Azana Baines, a 6'1'' guard/forward and a 25-year-old former Pirates alum from 2024, currently playing professionally in Israel, recently showcased her talent in a game where her team, M. Karmiel, faced a tough challenge against H. Jerusalem. Despite Baines' outstanding performance, where she scored 28 points and grabbed 7 rebounds in 38 minutes of play, M. Karmiel suffered a significant 85-66 defeat on the road to the second-ranked H. Jerusalem. This game highlighted Baines' scoring ability and versatility on the court, especially impressive as she is only in her third season of professional basketball. Even though it's still early in the season and anything can happen, Baines' exceptional individual performance, leading the team in scoring and contributing in multiple facets of the game, stands out. She is currently the league's leader in scoring, averaging 22.5 points per game, along with 8.5 rebounds, 3.0 assists, and 1.5 steals per game over the first two games of the season. This performance indicates that Baines is a standout player in the league, showcasing her skills and impact on the court in her first year with the team.
#3. Alexia Allesch, a 6'1'' forward/center aged 27, who graduated from Seton Hall in 2023 and currently plays professionally in Germany, made a significant impact for SYNTAINICS MBC Halle in their recent German Damen Basketball Bundesliga match. In a tense contest against the seventh-ranked Hannover, Allesch played a crucial role in her team's narrow 81-79 victory last Sunday. Despite scoring just 2 points, she stood out with an impressive 15 rebounds and 2 blocks during her 32 minutes on the court. This game marked her debut for SYNTAINICS MBC Halle this season, and her contribution helped propel the team to second place in the league standings. Allesch's standout performance against Hannover showcased her versatility and skill set, as she not only excelled in rebounding but also contributed 1 assist. Her all-around display was essential in securing the victory, cementing her status as the champion of the game. It is worth noting that Allesch is a naturalized American, adding to her unique background and international playing experience.
#4. Sidney Cooks, a 6'4'' forward/center and a 27-year-old Pirates alumna from the class of 2023, currently plays professionally in Turkey. In a recent game, despite her notable performance, Cooks could not prevent her team, Ormanspor (0-2), from suffering a heavy 90-64 defeat at the hands of the higher-ranked (#7) Mersin on their home court. Even though she managed to score 12 points, grab 6 rebounds, and dish out 2 assists in 28 minutes of play, Ormanspor couldn't overcome the strong opposition posed by Mersin. This season marks Cooks' debut with the team, and she has been showcasing her skills well, averaging 11.5 points and 5.0 rebounds per game over the course of two matches. Despite her consistent contributions on the court, including her impressive showing against Mersin, where she displayed her scoring, rebounding, and playmaking abilities, Cooks and her team have yet to secure a victory in the league.
#5. Mexican player Mariana Valenzuela, a 6'2'' forward who is 23 years old and graduated from Seton Hall in 2026, showcased her talent as a champion by earning the Latinbasket.com All-Centrobasket Womens Championship First Team award in the same year. Currently, she is playing professionally in Portugal and recently made her debut for Benfica in the Portuguese Liga Feminina de Basquetebol. In her first game, she played a crucial role in Benfica's victory against Sporting, one of the league's weaker teams, with a final score of 75-63 in favor of Benfica. Valenzuela contributed 6 points and 5 rebounds in just 18 minutes of play, demonstrating her skills and impact on the court. This remarkable performance helped her team secure a win, highlighting her abilities as a finalist. Benfica is currently at the top of the league standings, with Valenzuela's valuable contributions playing a key role in their success.
Other former Seton Hall University players, who play in pro basketball:
Kaelynn Satterfield (6'0''-G/F-2001, played in 2022-24) plays for Pollitas de Isabela in Puerto Rican BSNF
Lauren Park-Lane (5'5''-G-2001, played in 2019-23) played for GDESSA in Portuguese Liga Feminina
Inja Butina (5'9''-G-1995, played in 2017-19) played for Athena in Icelandic Division I
I'yanna Lops (6'3''-F-2001, played in 2023-25) signed for Froya in Norwegian Kvinneligaen
Brazil Harvey-Carr (6'1''-F-2001, played in 2023-24) plays for Abejas in Mexican LNBPF
Notice: The list above includes only some of alumni playing currently in pro basketball. Check complete list of Seton Hall University basketball alumni.
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