Courtesy of Eurobasket LLC Here is the weekly review of the top performing Miners alumni, who are currently playing in pro basketball.
Notice impressive performance of Vincent Hunter (14 points), Kevin Kalu (19 points), and Otis Frazier III (20 points).
#1. Vincent Hunter, a 6'8'' center/forward who graduated from UTEP in 2015, is currently playing professionally in Russia. He recently showcased his skills by leading his team, Lokomotiv Kuban, to a crucial victory against Zenit in the VTB United League. With 14 points and 3 steals in just 23 minutes of play, Hunter's impact on the court was undeniable. This game between Lokomotiv and Zenit, two top 4 ranked teams, was highly anticipated and Hunter's performance did not disappoint. Not only did he contribute significantly to the scoreboard, but he also displayed his defensive prowess with 3 steals. This victory marked Lokomotiv's third consecutive win, highlighting their strong form in the league. With an impressive season average of 11.0 points, 5.4 rebounds, 1.8 assists, and 1.8 steals per game, Hunter has been a standout player in the league. His exceptional performance against Zenit further solidified his reputation as a champion, showcasing his leadership and skill on the court.
#2. Kevin Kalu, a 6'9'' forward and 23-year-old Miners alumnus from the class of 2025, showcased his skills playing professionally in the Czech Republic. In a recent game, despite his remarkable performance, he was unable to lead Brno (23-13) to victory against Opava (#5). Brno, currently in third place, suffered a close 102-101 defeat at home in the Places 1-8 group. Kalu displayed his talent by scoring 19 points and securing 8 rebounds in just 30 minutes of play. This season marks his debut with the team, and he has been averaging 9.5 points per game and 6.2 rebounds per game. Notably, Kalu, a naturalized Nigerian, made a significant impact in the game against Opava, but unfortunately, his efforts were not enough to secure the win for his team.
#3. Otis Frazier III, a 6'6'' forward who graduated from UTEP in 2025 and received the C-USA All-Defensive Team award that year, is currently playing professionally in Israel. In a recent game last Tuesday, Frazier III was unable to help E.Netanya (7-19) as they suffered a defeat on their home court in Netanya to Ironi Nes-Ziona, the leading team in the Places 11-14 group. Despite his impressive performance, where he contributed 20 points, 5 rebounds, and 2 blocks in 33 minutes, E.Netanya was unable to secure the victory. With only three games remaining in the Play-Out Round, each upcoming game becomes crucial for the team. This marks Frazier III's first season with E.Netanya, and he has been showcasing a stellar individual performance throughout the season, averaging 17.3 points, 6.1 rebounds, 2.1 assists, and 1.9 steals per game. His notable contributions on the court demonstrate his capabilities as a talented player and a valuable asset to his team, despite the recent setback in the game against Ironi Nes-Ziona.
#4. Calvin Solomon, a 6'7'' forward and Miners alumnus from 2024, showcased his talent by helping his team reach the final of the C-USA Tournament that year. Currently playing professionally in the ECBL, Solomon recently led the Park City Dreamers to a decisive victory over the North Carolina Coyotes with a score of 136-108 in an East Coast Basketball League game on Sunday night. In this game, Solomon had an impressive performance, scoring 15 points, grabbing 6 rebounds, and dishing out 4 assists despite being only in his second season in professional basketball. Although the Park City Dreamers have a somewhat modest 6-8 record this season, Solomon's contributions on the court have been noteworthy. As the regular season in the East Coast Basketball League comes to a close, Solomon's team has one crucial game remaining. This marks Solomon's first year with the Park City Dreamers, and his impact has been significant, especially demonstrated in his excellent performance against the NC Coyotes, which ultimately led his team to emerge as the champion. Throughout this season, Solomon has maintained averages of 3.5 points per game, 2.2 rebounds per game, and 1.5 assists per game, showcasing his growing prowess and potential as a standout player in the league.
#5. Omega Harris, a 6'3'' guard who graduated from UTEP in 2018 and currently plays professionally in the TBL, showcased his skills for the Lebanon Leprechauns during their recent game against the St. Louis Griffins. Despite his commendable performance, the Lebanon Leprechauns narrowly lost 104-103 on the road. Harris contributed significantly by scoring 13 points, grabbing 6 rebounds, and dishing out 3 assists in 42 minutes of play. Throughout the season, Harris has maintained solid statistics with an average of 11.8 points per game, 5.1 rebounds per game, 4.8 assists per game, and 1.4 steals per game. Despite the outcome of the game against the St. Louis Griffins, Harris continues to be a key player for the Lebanon Leprechauns, demonstrating his value as a champion on the court.
#6. Experienced champion Dominic Artis, a 6'3'' guard who is 32 years old and an alum of the Miners class of 2017, currently plays professionally in Lebanon. In a recent match, he played a pivotal role in Antonine's triumph over the closely-ranked Antranik with a score of 80-74 in the Lebanese Decathlon Lebanese Basketball League on Saturday night. During the game, he showcased his skills by scoring 8 points, grabbing 1 rebound, and delivering an impressive 11 assists in 36 minutes of play. This exceptional performance not only helped secure the victory for his team but also highlighted his prowess as a finalist on the court. Artis has been maintaining solid stats this season, averaging 13.2 points, 7.5 rebounds, 7.2 assists, and 2.3 steals per game. Additionally, it is worth noting that he is a naturalized American player, bringing his talent and expertise to the international basketball scene.
Other former The University of Texas at El Paso players, who play in pro basketball:
Eric Vila (6'10''-F-1998, played in 2019-20) plays for Draemland Gran Canaria in Spanish Liga Endesa
McKenzie Moore (6'6''-G-1992, played in 2012-14) plays for Homentmen in Lebanese DLBL
Joe Devance (6'7''-C-1982, played in 2000-04) played for Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Kings in Filipino PBA few monts ago
Randy Culpepper (6'0''-PG-1989, played in 2007-11) played for Al Gezira in Egyptian Superleague last year
Lee Moore (6'5''-G-1995, played in 2015-16) plays for Fortitudo BO in Italian Serie A2
Shamar Givance (5'11''-PG-1999, played in 2022-23) plays for Champagne in French ProB
Jamal Bieniemy (6'5''-G-1999, played in 2020-22) plays for Windy City Bulls in the NBA G League
Yazid Powell (6'4''-G, played in 2023-24) plays for Kormend in Hungarian A Division
John Bohannon (6'11''-C-1991, played in 2010-14) played for Knox Raiders in Australian NBL One last year
Derick Hamilton (6'10''-F-2000, played in 2022-25) plays for Burji in Georgian A League
Jonathan Dos Anjos (6'8''-F-1998, played in 2022-24) plays for Rio Claro in Brazilian NBB
Alfred Hollins (6'6''-F-1999, played in 2023-23) played for Saigon Heat in Vietnamese VBA last year
Tae Hardy (6'3''-G-1998, played in 2022-24) played for Franklin Bulls in New Zealand NBL last year
Carlos Lemus (6'3''-G-1999, played in 2022-23) plays for Marinos in Venezuelan SPB
Victor Mbachu (6'2''-G-1992, played in 2013-16) plays for Piratebi in Georgian A League
Notice: The list above includes only some of alumni playing currently in pro basketball. Check complete list of The University of Texas at El Paso basketball alumni.
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