Courtesy of Eurobasket LLC Here is the weekly review of the top performing Red Storm alumni, who are currently playing in pro basketball.
#1. Experienced champion Justin Brownlee, a 6'6'' forward at 38 years old who graduated from St. John's in 2011, showcased his leadership skills as he guided Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Kings to a resounding 118-107 victory over the closely-ranked Painters (9-3) in a highly anticipated derby game in the Filipino Philippine Basketball Association on Sunday night. In this intense matchup between two top 4 ranked teams, Brownlee's stellar performance earned him the MVP title of the game. He impressively recorded a double-double with 31 points, 15 rebounds, and 5 assists in 45 minutes of gameplay. The Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Kings, currently holding the second spot in the league with a 9-3 record, demonstrated their prowess with this crucial win. Brownlee's exceptional stat line against Rain or Shine secured the victory for his team and earned him the esteemed Triple-Double Badge from eurobasket.com, highlighting his status as a finalist player. Throughout the season, Brownlee has consistently delivered outstanding performances, averaging 29.8 points per game (the second best in the league), along with 8.7 rebounds, 5.2 assists, 1.1 blocks, and 1.3 steals per game in the 19 games he has played so far. It is noteworthy that Brownlee holds both American and Filipino citizenship, allowing him to compete in the Philippines as a domestic player. Additionally, his participation in the Eurobasket Summer League played a pivotal role in securing his position in professional basketball.
#2. Julian Champagnie, a 6'7'' forward and 24-year-old Red Storm alumnus from 2022, who received the USBWA All-District II Team award that year, currently plays professionally in the NBA. In a recent game, despite Champagnie's stellar performance, he was unable to lift the San Antonio Spurs (62-21) to victory. The Spurs suffered a 114-127 defeat on the road against the Oklahoma City Thunder, marking their first loss after a three-game winning streak. Champagnie emerged as the second-highest scorer for the Spurs, contributing 22 points and 8 rebounds in 31 minutes of play. Although Julian Champagnie showcased an impressive performance against the Oklahoma City Thunder, scoring 22 points, securing 8 rebounds, and providing 1 assist, his team ultimately fell short and ended up losing the game. Throughout the season, Champagnie has maintained high individual performance, averaging 11.1 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 1.5 assists per game across 101 games.
#3. In the recent game, JaKarr Sampson, a 6'9'' forward who graduated from St. John's in 2014 and currently plays professionally in China, was unable to lead Zhejiang Guangsha Lions (33-9) to victory. Despite his strong individual performance, Guangsha Lions suffered a 90-101 defeat at the hands of the leading Sharks in Shanghai. Sampson showcased his skills by contributing 10 points, 9 rebounds, and 3 assists in just 15 minutes of play. Throughout the season, Sampson has maintained solid statistics, averaging 10.1 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 1.2 assists per game across 45 appearances. Despite his consistent performance, he was not able to carry his team to victory in the most recent match against Shanghai Sharks, where, despite his impressive efforts, the team fell short of securing the win.
#4. In the recent game, Bosnia and Herzegovina champion Amar Alibegovic, a 31-year-old finalist and former Red Storm alumnus from 2018, showcased his skills for Coviran Granada. Despite his impressive performance, where he scored 17 points in just 23 minutes, Granada, currently at the bottom of the standings with a 6-28 record, suffered a close 105-110 defeat against the 13th-ranked Burgos on their home court. This loss marked Coviran Granada's fourth consecutive defeat, bringing an end to their Regular Season campaign. Despite Alibegovic's notable contribution of 17 points, 1 rebound, and 1 assist against Burgos SP, his team was unable to secure a victory. Throughout the season, Alibegovic has maintained solid statistics, averaging 12.5 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 1.3 assists per game across 20 appearances. It is worth noting that he also holds an Italian passport, adding to his versatility and potential opportunities in the future.
#5. Sean Conway, a 6'5'' guard who recently graduated from St. John's in 2024, showcased his talent in the recent game for the Perth Redbacks. Despite his outstanding performance, the team faced a tough loss against the higher-ranked Eagles. Conway emerged as the standout player, leading the scoring with an impressive 31 points and contributing 6 rebounds in a 40-minute game. This remarkable display is even more noteworthy considering it is only his second season playing professional basketball. The Perth Redbacks, currently in the ninth position, suffered their fourth consecutive defeat. In a head-to-head against the East Perth Eagles, Conway's skills were on full display as he notched 31 points, 6 rebounds, and 2 assists. His individual performance has been exceptional throughout the year, maintaining an average of 22.5 points per game, 6.3 rebounds per game, 2.6 assists per game, and 1.6 steals per game across 10 games. Despite his impressive statistics and efforts, his team has faced challenges in securing victories.
#6. In a thrilling Israeli Winner League match on Tuesday night, DJ Kennedy, a 36-year-old forward standing at 6'6'' and an alum of Red Storm from 2011, showcased his talent while playing professionally in Israel for Hapoel Nofar Energy Galil Elyon. Facing the closely-ranked Kiryat Ata, Kennedy's stellar performance was crucial in his team's 113-108 victory. During the game, the champion displayed his versatility by scoring 10 points, grabbing 7 rebounds, dishing out 3 assists, and stealing 3 balls, all in just 23 minutes of play. His all-around contribution on the court significantly impacted the outcome of the game, highlighting his skill and determination. Kennedy's consistent performance throughout the season is evident in his averages of 8.9 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 1.2 assists per game in the 17 games played so far this year. As a finalist, Kennedy continues to make significant contributions to his team's success, proving himself as a valuable asset on the court.
#7. Marvin Clark, a 6'7'' small forward who is 31 years old and a graduate of St. John's in 2019, has been making waves in the basketball scene. His recent contribution to Elan Bearnais Pau-Lacq-Orthez's narrow 1-point victory over Champagne showcased his skill and determination on the court. In that game, he scored 10 points, displaying flawless accuracy with a perfect 6-for-6 from the free-throw line, all in just 16 minutes of gameplay. Additionally, Clark managed to grab 1 rebound, demonstrating his versatility and impact on the game. His stellar performance against Champagne not only helped secure the crucial victory but also solidified his status as the champion of the match. This achievement adds to his impressive track record, including helping St. John's reach the final of the WAC Tournament in 2019. Currently playing professionally in France, Clark maintains a solid average of 9.1 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 1.4 assists per game across 36 games this season. His consistent contributions both on and off the court highlight his status as a true champion in the world of basketball.
Other former St. John's University players, who play in pro basketball:
Justin Simon (6'5''-SG-1996, played in 2016-16) plays for Ratiopharm Ulm in German BBL
Joel Soriano (6'11''-C-2000, played in 2021-24) plays for Ratiopharm Ulm in German BBL
Christopher Ledlum (6'6''-SF-2001, played in 2023-24) plays for Ratiopharm Ulm in German BBL
Daniss Jenkins (6'4''-G-2001, played in 2023-24) plays for Detroit Pistons in the NBA
Kadary Richmond (6'6''-G-2001, played in 2024-25) plays for Washington Wizards in the NBA
Aaron Wheeler (6'9''-F-1998, played in 2021-22) plays for H.Gilboa Galil in Israeli Winner League
Phil Greene IV (6'2''-G-1992, played in 2011-15) plays for Rostock Seawolves in German BBL
Stefan Smith (6'2''-G-1999, played in 2021-22) plays for MHP Riesen Ludwigsburg in German BBL
Christopher Obekpa (6'9''-PF-1993, played in 2012-15) played for Fujian Sturgeons in Chinese CBA few monts ago
Mustapha Heron (6'5''-G-1997, played in 2018-20) plays for Zunder Palencia in Spanish Primera FEB
Nahiem Alleyne (6'4''-G-2001, played in 2023-24) plays for Fraport Skyliners Frankfurt in German BBL
Arnaldo Barea (6'8''-C-1997, played in 2020-21) plays for Santeros de Aguada in Puerto Rican BSN
Federico Mussini (6'2''-G-1996, played in 2013-17) plays for Avellino in Italian Serie A2
Aaron Scott (6'7''-F-2003, played in 2024-25) plays for Maine Celtics in the NBA G League
Deivon Smith (6'0''-PG-2002, played in 2024-25) plays for Santa Cruz Warriors in the NBA G League
Justin Burrell (6'9''-F-1988, played in 2007-11) plays for Fukuoka Rizing in Japanese B2 League
Montez Mathis (6'4''-G-1999, played in 2023-23) plays for Rustavi in Georgian Superleague
D'Angelo Harrison (6'4''-G-1993, played in 2011-15) plays for Roseto in Italian Serie A2
Bashir Ahmed (6'7''-F/G-1993, played in 2016-18) plays for Al Fidaa in Syrian SBL
Sir'Dominic Pointer (6'6''-G/F-1992, played in 2011-15) plays for Al Ittihad in Syrian SBL
Jordan Dingle (6'3''-G-2000, played in 2023-24) plays for Bora in Kosovan Superliga
Marc-Antoine Bourgault (6'5''-SG-1990, played in 2012-14) played for Vanves in French NM2 last year
Maurice Harkless (6'7''-F-1993, played in 2011-12) played for Criollos de Caguas in Puerto Rican BSN last year
Anteh Aryee (6'2''-G/F, played in 2011-12) played for Cando in the P&G League in Miami last year
Shamorie Ponds (6'1''-G-1998, played in 2016-19) plays for HK JinNiu in Chinese NBL
Marcus LoVett Jr. (6'0''-G-1996, played in 2015-15) plays for Shanghai in Chinese NBL
Notice: The list above includes only some of alumni playing currently in pro basketball. Check complete list of St. John's University basketball alumni.
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