


Courtesy of Eurobasket LLC We bring you last week's top former Texans players who are currently playing in pro basketball.
Look at great performance of Rivaldo Soares (22 points), Luis Montero (30 points), and Philmon Gebrewhit (11 points).
#1. Rivaldo Soares, a 6'6'' guard who is 26 years old, graduated from Oklahoma in 2024. He previously played at South Plains between 2019 and 2021, earning the NJCAA D1 All-Tournament Team award during his time there. Currently, he is showcasing his talent as a professional basketball player in Poland. In a recent game in the Polish Orlen Basket Liga, Soares led Dziki Warszawa to a resounding 92-78 victory over the closely-ranked Arka (18-12). His exceptional performance earned him the title of MVP of the game, scoring 22 points, grabbing 7 rebounds, and dishing out 2 assists in just 32 minutes of play. This remarkable display of skill is even more impressive considering it is only his second season in professional basketball. Dziki Warszawa, currently placed fifth in the league with a record of 18-12, achieved their fifth consecutive victory, thanks in large part to Soares' contributions on the court. This season, Soares has maintained relatively good statistics, averaging 11.0 points per game, 4.4 rebounds per game, and 1.4 assists per game. Soares' outstanding performance against Arka not only secured the win for his team but also highlighted his talent and determination as a champion on the court.
#2. Experienced Dominican Republic player Luis Montero, standing at 6'8'' and playing as a small forward at 33 years old, and an alumnus of Texans from 2015, showcased his talent by leading Titanes to a resounding 93-74 victory over the sixth-ranked Reales in the Dominican Republic Liga Nacional de Baloncesto on Monday night. Montero's exceptional performance earned him the title of MVP of the game, as he displayed an impressive stat line of 30 points, 8 rebounds, 6 assists, and 2 blocks in just 36 minutes of play. Titanes del Distrito Nacional, currently holding the fifth position in the Places 1-6 group, are gearing up for the final three games of the Second Stage, where every matchup will be crucial. Montero's remarkable display of skill and determination against Reales not only secured the win for his team but also solidified his status as a champion in the league. Throughout the season, Montero has maintained high statistics, averaging 20.3 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 5.5 assists per game, showcasing his consistent performance and significant contribution to his team's success.
#3. Philmon Gebrewhit, a 6'8'' guard at 27 years old, graduated from NIU in 2024 but honed his skills playing for South Plains between 2019 and 2021 before turning pro in Australia. Despite his commendable efforts, the 14th-placed South West Slammers (1-14) were unable to secure a victory in their recent game against the higher-ranked Eagles (#8) in the West group, ultimately falling short with a score of 77-71 on the road. In the game, Gebrewhit showcased his talent by contributing 11 points and grabbing 7 rebounds during his 32 minutes on the court. He continued to impress in a match against East Perth, recording 11 points, 7 rebounds, and 1 assist. However, despite his stellar performances, his team was unable to clinch a win. Throughout the season, Gebrewhit has maintained strong individual performance with impressive statistics, averaging 18.9 points per game, 5.5 rebounds per game, and 2.4 assists per game. His skills and contributions have been noteworthy, even though his team has faced challenges in securing victories.
#4. Australian Yuot Gai, a 26-year-old center standing at 6'11'', has an impressive basketball background, having been a Crusaders alumnus from 2024. Prior to that, he played for South Plains between 2019 and 2021 before embarking on his professional career in Australia. His recent performance in the Australian NBL One's second division showcased his skills and contribution to his team's success. In a recent game, Gai helped lead the Casey Cavaliers Cranbourne to victory against the 19th-ranked Miners with a score of 117-106. During the game, he demonstrated his versatility on the court by recording 7 points, 7 rebounds, and 2 blocks in just 23 minutes of play. This significant contribution aided in his team's fifth consecutive win, highlighting his impact on the team's performance. Notably, Gai's strong performance extended beyond scoring, as he also showcased his abilities against Ballarat M, where he scored 7 points, grabbed 7 rebounds, and provided 1 assist. His consistent performance throughout the season has reflected in his average of 7.7 points per game and 4.9 rebounds per game, underscoring his value to the team. Gai's presence on the court has been instrumental in leading his team to success, exemplifying his role as a key player for the Casey Cavaliers Cranbourne. His contributions have been vital in securing victories and keeping his team competitive in the league, showcasing his potential to make a significant impact as a champion player.
#5. Brandon Neel, a 6'4'' shooting guard who is 33 years old, graduated from Midwestern State in 2018. However, between 2013 and 2015, he played for South Plains and was instrumental in helping them clinch the NJCAA D1 District V Champion title that year. Currently, he is a professional basketball player in the TBL. In a recent game, Neel played a crucial role in the Tri-City Tide's victory over the St. Louis Griffins with a score of 99-94 in The Basketball League. Despite only playing for 14 minutes, Neel managed to score 7 points and secure 1 rebound. This win marked the ninth consecutive victory for his team, which holds a relatively weak 20-3 record this season. Neel's performance on the court against the St. Louis Griffins was outstanding, contributing significantly to his team's success as a champion. Throughout the season, he has been averaging 6.4 points, 1.8 rebounds, and 1.2 assists per game. Neel also has a background as a former player in the Eurobasket Summer League, a top summer league known for players aspiring to play basketball internationally.
Other former South Plains College players, who play in pro basketball:
Myron Gardner (6'6''-SF-2001, played in 2020-21) plays for Miami Heat in the NBA
Gaige Prim (6'8''-F-1999, played in 2018-19) played for Hyundai Mobis Phoebus in South Korean KBL few monts ago
Nikita Evdokimov (6'5''-G-2003, played in 2022-24) plays for Enisey in Russian VTB United League
Jahlil Tripp (6'5''-F-1997, played in 2016-17) played for Rayos de Hermosillo in Mexican CIBACOPA last year
Grantham Gillard (6'4''-G-1997, played in 2016-17) played for Zonkeys de Tijuana in Mexican CIBACOPA last year
Malcolm Miller (6'7''-G-1991, played in 2010-12) plays for Coop/Sao Jose Basketball in Brazilian NBB
Joshua Webster (6'3''-G-1997, played in 2016-17) plays for Malvin in Uruguayan LUB
Yanick Moreira (6'10''-C-1991, played in 2011-12) plays for P.Luanda in Angolan Division I
Malek Abdelgowad (6'10''-F-2002, played in 2021-23) plays for Al Ahly Cairo in Egyptian Superleague
Trey Wade (6'6''-F-1998, played in 2018-19) plays for DEAC in Hungarian A Division
Dalph Panopio (6'1''-G-2000, played in 2020-22) plays for Blackwater Bossing in Filipino PBA
Emmanuel Omogbo (6'8''-C/F-1995, played in 2013-15) plays for Marineros in Dominican Rep. LNB
Omar Thielemans (6'8''-SF-1999, played in 2019-20) plays for JCA in Ivorian National 1
Stanton Kidd (6'8''-SF-1992, played in 2011-12) plays for Hunan in Chinese NBL
Zion Richardson (6'4''-G-2001, played in 2021-22) plays for BG Hessing Leitershofen in German ProB
Jonah Antonio (6'5''-SG-1997, played in 2019-19) plays for East Perth Eagles in Australian NBL One
Anthony Walker (6'9''-F/C-1993, played in 2011-12) played for Soles de Ojinaga in Mexican LBE last year
Mareng Gatkuoth (6'6''-G-1999, played in 2019-21) plays for Mineros de Parral in Mexican LBE
Carlos dos Santos (6'8''-C-1988, played in 2007-08) played for Campo Alto in Paraguayan LNB last year
Arvydas Vaitiekus (6'11''-C-1983, played in 2003-04) played for Mannheim in German 2.Regionalliga last year
Awer Awer (6'6''-G, played in 2022-24) played for South Alberta Institute of Technology in the ACAC-South last year
Montell McRae (6'10''-F-1996, played in 2015-17) played for Great Falls Electric in the TBL last year
Jamir Coleman (6'7''-F-1997, played in 2017-18) plays for Al Jubaiha in Jordanian Premier League
Pedro Farina (6'7''-PF-1992, played in 2011-15) played for Guimar in Spanish 1Div last year
Roderick Lawrence (6'5''-F-1993, played in 2013-14) plays for Kissimmee Lambs in the TBL
Keith McGee (6'3''-PG, played in 2017-18) played for KSA in Cameroonian D2 last year
Devonte Smith (5'11''-PG-1992, played in 2011-12) plays for Hamilton County Huskers in the TBL
Jevonnie Scott (6'7''-F-2000, played in 2019-21) plays for Tokyo Hachioji Trains in Japanese B3 League
Roberto Gallinat (6'4''-G-1996, played in 2015-17) plays for Cayirova in Turkish TBL
Andre Spight (6'3''-G-1995, played in 2013-15) plays for Spartans in Venezuelan SPB
Isaiah Maurice (6'10''-F-1996, played in 2018-18) plays for North Carolina Coyotes in the ECBL
Ladarius Hall (6'5''-G, played in 2007-09) played for Garden City Magic in the ECBL last year
Notice: The list above includes only some of alumni playing currently in pro basketball. Check complete list of South Plains College basketball alumni.
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