Courtesy of Eurobasket LLC Here is the weekly review of the top performing Crimson Tide alumni, who are currently playing in pro basketball.
Especially interesting is good performance of Donta Hall (16 points), Clifford Omoruyi (19 points), and Retin Obasohan (14 points).
#1. Donta Hall, a 28-year-old center standing tall at 6'10", graduated from Alabama in 2019 and received the SEC All-Defensive Team award that year. Currently playing professionally in Greece, he recently showcased his skills in a thrilling match where Olympiacos emerged victorious against the closely-ranked AEK with a dominating 95-68 scoreline in the Greek Stoiximan Basketball League. In this standout performance, Hall was named the Most Valuable Player of the game after achieving a double-double with 16 points, 10 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 blocks in just 23 minutes of play. The game between Olympiacos and AEK was highly anticipated, featuring two top 4 ranked teams battling it out on the court. Olympiacos S.F.P. Piraeus, leading the league with an impressive 24-0 record, has been unstoppable in the Semi-Finals, winning all twenty-four games played so far this season. This marks Hall's debut season with the team, and his impact has been substantial, evident through his notable contributions on both ends of the court. Hall's consistent performance throughout the season is reflected in his solid statistics, averaging 10.4 points, 6.1 rebounds, 1.1 assists, and 1.3 blocks per game, ranking him as the third-best shot blocker in the league. A naturalized American, Hall's versatility and skill set have undoubtedly played a pivotal role in Olympiacos' success, further cementing his reputation as a champion player in the making.
#2. Nigerian Clifford Omoruyi, a 6'11'' center at 24 years old and a Crimson Tide alumnus from 2025, is currently showcasing his skills playing professionally in Greece. In a recent game, Omoruyi couldn't prevent his team, PAOK (17-7), from suffering a 94-102 defeat at the hands of the second-ranked Panathinaikos. Despite the loss, Omoruyi delivered an impressive performance by contributing 19 points and securing 7 rebounds in just 24 minutes of play. It is noteworthy that this is only Omoruyi's first season in professional basketball, making his performance all the more remarkable. This season, Omoruyi has been a valuable asset to the team, averaging 7.8 points and 4.2 rebounds per game over 13 appearances. Despite his standout efforts against Panathinaikos, where he showcased his scoring ability, rebounding prowess, and playmaking skills with 2 assists, PAOK fell short of securing the victory. It's worth noting that this is Omoruyi's first year with the team, and his contributions on the court are already making a significant impact.
#3. Experienced Belgian player, Retin Obasohan, who stands at 6'3'' and plays as a guard, is 32 years old. He graduated from Alabama in 2016 and received the prestigious All-SEC Scholar-Athlete of the Year award the same year. Currently, he is playing professionally in Spain. In a recent game, Obasohan was a standout player for BAXI Manresa, contributing significantly to their unexpected victory over the league leaders, Real Madrid, with a score of 94-87 in the Spanish Liga Endesa. He showcased his skills by scoring 14 points, securing 4 rebounds, and providing 1 assist in just 19 minutes of play. BAXI Manresa, with a record of 16-18, holds the tenth position in the league standings. The team's recent win against Real Madrid marked their fourth consecutive victory, highlighting their strong performance towards the end of the Regular Season. Obasohan's remarkable performance on the court not only showcased his talent but also played a pivotal role in leading his team to success, further solidifying his reputation as a champion. Throughout the season, Obasohan has maintained good statistics, averaging 12.3 points, 2.3 rebounds, 1.9 assists, and 1.2 steals per game across 30 games. It is noteworthy that he also holds a Nigerian passport in addition to his Belgian nationality.
#4. Charles Bediako, a 7'0'' center who is 24 years old and an alumnus of Crimson Tide from 2023, was instrumental in helping them secure the SEC Regular Season Champion title that year. Currently playing professionally in Canada, Bediako recently faced a tough loss with the Scarborough Shooting Stars (4-1) in their most recent game. Despite his solid performance, scoring 10 points and grabbing 7 rebounds in 22 minutes, the Scarborough Shooting Stars (#2) were narrowly defeated 90-88 on the road by the Mamba. This defeat marked the first loss for the Scarborough Shooting Stars after four consecutive victories. However, considering it is still early in the season, there is plenty of opportunity for the team to bounce back. Bediako showcased his skills in another game against Saskatchewan, contributing 10 points and securing 7 rebounds, although his team fell short of securing the win. Bediako is currently averaging 9.2 points per game and 6.2 rebounds per game in five games this season. Notably, he holds both American and Canadian citizenship, allowing him to play in Canada as a domestic player, which provides him with a unique advantage in the league.
Other former The University of Alabama players, who play in pro basketball:
Levi Randolph (6'6''-SF-1992, played in 2011-15) plays for Hapoel Shlomo Tel-Aviv in Israeli Winner League
Tony Mitchell (6'6''-F/G-1989, played in 2009-12) plays for Beirut Club in Lebanese DLBL
Keon Ellis (6'4''-G-2000, played in 2020-22) plays for Cleveland Cavaliers in the NBA
Brandon Miller (6'7''-F-2002) plays for Charlotte Hornets in the NBA
Noah Clowney (6'10''-F-2004) plays for Brooklyn Nets in the NBA
Collin Sexton (6'3''-G-1999, played in 2017-18) plays for Chicago Bulls in the NBA
Herbert Jones (6'7''-F/G-1998, played in 2017-21) plays for New Orleans Pelicans in the NBA
Mark Sears (6'1''-G-2002, played in 2022-25) plays for Milwaukee Bucks in the NBA
Chris Youngblood (6'4''-G-2002, played in 2024-25) plays for Portland Trail Blazers in the NBA
Grant Nelson (6'11''-F-2002, played in 2023-25) plays for Brooklyn Nets in the NBA
JD Davison (6'2''-G-2002, played in 2021-22) plays for Houston Rockets in the NBA
Jaden Shackelford (6'3''-G-2001, played in 2019-22) plays for Longevida San Pablo Burgos in Spanish Liga Endesa
Aaron Estrada (6'3''-G-2001, played in 2023-24) plays for Karditsas in Greek GBL
Joshua Primo (6'6''-G-2002, played in 2020-21) played for Windy City Bulls in the NBA G League few monts ago
Jimmie Taylor (6'10''-C-1995, played in 2013-17) plays for APOEL in Cypriot ECOMMBX BL
Noah Gurley (6'8''-F-1999, played in 2021-23) plays for Iwate Big Bulls in Japanese B2 League
Galin Smith (6'9''-F/C-1998, played in 2017-20) plays for Neftci in Azerbaijani ABL
Jordan Bruner (6'10''-F-1997, played in 2020-21) plays for Tokyo Hachioji Trains in Japanese B3 League
Kira Lewis Jr. (6'2''-G-2001, played in 2018-20) plays for Wisconsin Herd in the NBA G League
Bola Olaniyan (6'7''-C-1993, played in 2016-17) played for Lloret in Spanish 1Div last year
Alex Reese (6'9''-F-1999, played in 2017-21) plays for Rip City Remix in the NBA G League
Notice: The list above includes only some of alumni playing currently in pro basketball. Check complete list of The University of Alabama basketball alumni.
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