Courtesy of Eurobasket LLC Here is the weekly review of the top performing Texans alumni, who are currently playing in pro basketball.
Especially interesting is good performance of Joshua Webster (22 points), Rivaldo Soares (12 points), and Luis Montero (14 points).
#1. Joshua Webster, a 6'3'' guard who is 29 years old, graduated from Missouri State in 2019. He previously played for South Plains between 2016 and 2017, where he received the All-WJCAC Defensive Player of the Year award. Currently, he is competing professionally in Uruguay. In a recent game, Webster, despite his exceptional performance, could not lead his team, Malvin, to victory. Malvin, who is in fourth place with an 18-14 record, narrowly lost 92-90 in a derby match against the sixth-ranked Defensor in the top group standings. During the game, Webster showcased his skills by achieving a double-double with 22 points and 11 assists, in addition to contributing 5 rebounds and 3 steals in 41 minutes on the court. Despite his remarkable efforts, Malvin was unable to secure the win. Throughout the season, Webster has been delivering outstanding individual performances, averaging 15.1 points, 3.1 rebounds, 5.9 assists (ranking third in the league), and 1.4 steals per game in the 20 games he has played so far.
#2. Rivaldo Soares, a 6'6'' guard and 26-year-old alum of the Sooners from the class of 2024, previously played for South Plains between 2019 and 2021 where he received the NJCAA D1 All-Tournament Team award. Currently, he is showcasing his skills playing professionally in Poland. In the recent game, despite Soares' solid performance, he could not prevent his team, Dziki Warszawa (18-12), from suffering a tough 105-86 loss on the road against the lower-ranked (#8) team, Zastal. Soares contributed 12 points and 3 rebounds during his 28 minutes on the court. This defeat marked Dziki Warszawa's first loss after five consecutive victories, making every upcoming game crucial as the Regular Season nears its end. This season marks Soares' debut with the team, and he has been maintaining decent statistics with an average of 11.1 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 1.4 assists per game in 30 appearances.
#3. Experienced Dominican Republic player Luis Montero, a 6'8'' small forward aged 33, who graduated from South Plains in 2015 and currently plays professionally in Venezuela, played a crucial role as Cocodrilos' champion in their recent 86-77 victory over the tenth-ranked Piratas in the Venezuelan Superliga Profesional de Baloncesto last Wednesday. Montero showcased his skills by scoring 14 points, securing 7 rebounds, and providing 7 assists in just 29 minutes on the court. Cocodrilos de Caracas, with a record of 19-5, holds the second position in the league after the conclusion of the Regular Season. Montero's outstanding performance against the Piratas was pivotal in leading his team to victory, and his impressive statistics this season reflect his valuable contributions to the team. With an average of 12.8 points per game, 10.1 rebounds per game (leading the league in this category), 4.9 assists per game, and 2.0 steals per game (ranking fourth in the league), Montero has been a standout finalist in the league, consistently delivering strong performances in the 24 games he has played.
#4. Nigerian basketball player Emmanuel Omogbo, a 6'8'' center/forward aged 30 and a Rams alumnus from 2017 who also played for South Plains between 2013 and 2015, currently showcases his skills professionally in the Dominican Republic. In a recent game, Omogbo, despite his remarkable performance, was unable to guide the Marineros (4-6) to victory as they suffered a 92-99 defeat at home to the leading Metros. Omogbo displayed his prowess by leading all scorers with 23 points and contributing 5 rebounds in a 37-minute effort. His standout performance against the Metros included 23 points, 5 rebounds, and 2 assists. Despite his stellar contributions, Marineros came up short and were unable to secure the win. Throughout the season, Omogbo has maintained impressive individual statistics, averaging 16.8 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 2.6 assists per game across 10 appearances. It is worth noting that Omogbo, a naturalized Nigerian, continues to excel on the court with his strong performances.
#5. Trey Wade, a 6'6'' forward who is 27 years old, graduated from Arkansas in 2022. He previously played for South Plains between 2018 and 2019, where he was instrumental in helping them win the NJCAA D1 District V Champion title that year. Currently, Wade is showcasing his skills as a professional player in Hungary. In a recent game, Wade proved his value by contributing significantly to Debreceni Egyetem's victory over the league leaders, Sopron KC, with a score of 79-72. Despite scoring only 4 points, Wade made a remarkable impact by grabbing an impressive 16 rebounds during his 30 minutes on the court. This outstanding performance was pivotal in securing the win for his team, who had suffered three consecutive losses prior to this game. Debreceni Egyetem, with a current record of 15-11, holds the eighth position in the Play-Off group. Wade's exceptional display against Sopron KC, where he also provided 1 assist alongside his points and rebounds, demonstrated his importance to the team's success. His contributions were crucial in leading his team to victory and eventually claiming the champion title. Throughout the season, Wade has maintained solid averages of 8.6 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 1.1 assist per game in the 34 games he has played so far. His consistent performance and impact on the court highlight him as a key player for Debreceni Egyetem as they strive for further success in the competition.
#6. Philmon Gebrewhit, a 6'8'' guard and 27-year-old Huskies alum from 2024, previously played for South Plains between 2019 and 2021 before joining a professional team in Australia. In the recent game, despite Gebrewhit's commendable performance, the struggling South West Slammers, currently ranked 14th, were decisively defeated 106-83 by the Magic, who hold the 13th spot in the West group. Gebrewhit contributed significantly to his team's effort by scoring 18 points and grabbing 8 rebounds in a 30-minute game. He displayed a strong performance against the Mandurah Magic, showcasing his skills with 18 points, 8 rebounds, and 2 assists. However, despite his noteworthy contributions, the South West Slammers were unable to secure a victory. Throughout the season, Gebrewhit has maintained impressive individual statistics, averaging 16.6 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 2.2 assists per game over nine matches. Despite the team's challenges, Gebrewhit continues to excel as a key player for the South West Slammers.
#7. Australian basketball player Jonah Antonio, standing at 6'5'' and playing as a shooting guard, is a 29-year-old athlete who graduated from Wake Forest in 2021. Despite his collegiate career, he notably played for South Plains between 2019 and 2019, where he contributed significantly to their success in winning the NJCAA D1 District V Champion title that year. Currently, Antonio is showcasing his skills in professional basketball in Australia. In a recent game, Antonio led the East Perth Eagles to a convincing victory against the Suns, who were ranked second in the Australian NBL One, the country's second division league. The Eagles dominated the game, triumphing over the Suns with a score of 104-79. During this game, Antonio displayed his prowess on the court by scoring 12 points and securing 5 rebounds in just 29 minutes of play. Furthermore, Antonio's exceptional performance continued in another game against Kalamunda ES, where he once again scored 12 points and grabbed 5 rebounds. His contributions were pivotal in securing a victory for his team, underscoring his capabilities as a champion player. Throughout the season, Jonah Antonio has consistently delivered outstanding performances, reflected in his impressive statistics. He maintains an average of 16.0 points per game, 6.0 rebounds per game, 3.0 assists per game, and 1.9 steals per game across seven games, highlighting his impact on the court as a finalist.
#8. Devonte Smith, a 5'11'' point guard and 33-year-old Trojans alumnus from 2015 who also played for South Plains between 2011 and 2012, was a key part of the team that won the NJCAA Division I Champion title that year. Currently playing professionally in the TBL, Smith recently played for the Hamilton County Huskers, who unfortunately couldn't secure a win in their last game against the Leprechauns in Lebanon. Despite Smith's exceptional performance, where he scored an impressive 33 points, grabbed 4 rebounds, and provided 6 assists, the HC Huskers (#7) fell short in a close 116-122 defeat. Throughout the game, Smith showcased his skills by not only scoring efficiently but also contributing in other areas with 4 rebounds, 6 assists, and 2 blocks, including a perfect record from the free-throw line where he made all six attempts, all in 44 minutes of play. Despite his standout efforts, his team couldn't clinch the victory. This season, Smith has maintained solid statistics, averaging 14.3 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 2.2 assists per game over 13 appearances. Despite the recent loss, Smith's consistent performance and contributions demonstrate his value as a champion player on the court.
#9. Australian Yuot Gai, a 26-year-old Center standing at 6'11'', showcased his basketball prowess as he led Casey Cavaliers Cranbourne to a thrilling 93-92 victory over the 11th-ranked Sabres in the Australian NBL One, the second division of Australian basketball, last Saturday. Gai, a graduate of Dallas Christian in 2024 who previously played for South Plains between 2019 and 2021 before turning pro in Australia, proved to be the standout player of the game, earning the title of MVP. He contributed significantly to his team's success by scoring 17 points and grabbing 6 rebounds in just 23 minutes of play, showcasing his skill and dominance on the court. His remarkable performance against Sandringham S. not only helped secure the narrow victory but also solidified his position as the champion of the game. Throughout this season, Gai has maintained solid averages of 7.3 points per game and 3.6 rebounds per game across nine appearances, further establishing himself as a key player for Casey Cavaliers Cranbourne.
#10. Brandon Neel, a 6'4'' shooting guard and 33-year-old alumnus of the Mustangs from 2018, previously played for South Plains between 2013 and 2015 where he helped them secure the NJCAA D1 District V Champion title. Currently playing professionally in the TBL, Neel recently led the Tri-City Tide to a decisive victory over the Port City Power, with a commanding score of 106-84 in The Basketball League last Saturday. Neel showcased his skills by scoring 16 points in 26 minutes of gameplay. His standout performance against Port City included scoring 16 points, grabbing 3 rebounds, and providing 2 assists, ultimately leading his team to victory. Neel's contributions were instrumental in securing the win and reinforcing his status as a champion. In the current season, Neel maintains an average of 7.7 points, 1.9 rebounds, and 1.6 assists per game in 13 appearances. Notably, he has also participated in the Eurobasket Summer League, a prestigious international summer league.
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
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
Dalph Panopio (6'1''-G-2000, played in 2020-22) plays for Blackwater Bossing in Filipino PBA
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
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
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
Isaiah Maurice (6'10''-F-1996, played in 2018-18) plays for North Carolina Coyotes in the ECBL
Andre Spight (6'3''-G-1995, played in 2013-15) plays for Spartans in Venezuelan SPB
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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