Courtesy of Eurobasket LLC Every week we bring you a list of the top former Wildcats players who continue their career in pro basketball.
#1. Kobi Simmons, a 6'4'' guard who graduated from Arizona in 2017, is currently playing professionally in Spain. In a recent game for Cazoo Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz, he led his team to a convincing 93-73 victory over Joventut, one of the league's struggling teams. Simmons put up an impressive performance, scoring 14 points, grabbing 4 rebounds, and dishing out 5 assists in just 26 minutes of play, earning him the title of MVP for the game. His outstanding contribution on the court not only helped secure the win but also highlighted his capabilities as a true champion. Cazoo Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz currently holds the top spot in the league with a perfect 3-0 record in the Regular Season. Although it's still early in the season, Simmons' consistent performance and leadership have been instrumental in his team's success so far. With an average of 11.0 points, 2.3 rebounds, and 3.7 assists per game in the three games played, Simmons has been showcasing solid stats this season. As a naturalized American player, he continues to make significant contributions on the court and prove himself as a valuable asset to his team.
#2. Nicolo Mannion, a 6'3'' point guard and 25-year-old Wildcats alumni from the class of 2020, is currently playing professionally in Italy. In a recent game, despite his exceptional performance, Mannion was unable to help Roma Basket (1-2) secure a victory. The team was narrowly defeated 96-95 by the lower-ranked (#12) Maxima Roma in a closely contested derby match. During the game, Mannion showcased his skills by achieving a double-double with 24 points and 10 assists, impressively going a perfect 10 for 10 at the free-throw line, all in just 29 minutes of play. Despite his outstanding contributions, Roma Basket fell short and suffered a narrow loss to their rivals. Throughout the season, Mannion has been putting up impressive numbers, averaging 18.0 points, 3.7 rebounds, and a league-leading 8.7 assists per game in the three games he has played so far. His stellar performances on the court highlight his talent and impact on the team. It is notable that Mannion holds both American and Italian citizenship, allowing him to play in Italy as a domestic player. His success on the court reflects his dedication and skill as he continues to make significant contributions to his team.
#3. Experienced champion Nick Johnson, a 6'3'' guard who is 33 years old and graduated from Arizona in 2014 where he received the All-Pac Player of the Year award, currently plays professionally in Croatia. In a recent match, he led his team Split to a convincing victory over the tenth-ranked Dubrava with a score of 86-62 in the Croatian Favbet Premijer Liga this past Saturday. Johnson showcased his skills by scoring 12 points, grabbing 4 rebounds, and providing 7 assists in just 21 minutes of gameplay. This performance was particularly impressive considering it was his first game of the season for Split. As a result of his stellar contributions, his team is currently ranked second in the league standings. With three wins in the Regular Season so far, Johnson's team has been performing exceptionally well. His standout display against Dubrava not only helped secure the victory but also solidified his position as the champion of the game.
#4. Stanley Johnson, a 30-year-old 6'7'' small forward and Wildcats alumnus from 2015, is currently showcasing his skills as a professional basketball player in Japan. Recently, he led his team, Gunma Crane Thunders, to a decisive victory over the 13th-ranked Ballooners with a score of 72-61 in the Japanese B.Premier League. This stellar performance earned him the title of MVP of the game. During the match, Johnson displayed his versatility on the court by achieving a double-double with 26 points, 11 rebounds, and 4 assists in a 40-minute game. His exceptional contributions were instrumental in securing the win for Gunma Crane Thunders, placing them second in the Eastern Conference with a record of 6-1. In a subsequent game against Saga B, Johnson once again stood out by scoring an impressive 26 points, grabbing 11 rebounds, and dishing out 4 assists. This outstanding display of skill and leadership resulted in Johnson being recognized with the Triple-Double Badge from eurobasket.com, further solidifying his reputation as a champion in the league. Throughout the season, Johnson has consistently delivered high-quality performances, averaging 19.5 points per game (ranking fourth in the league), along with 6.3 rebounds, 3.8 assists, and 1.5 steals per game in four appearances. His remarkable contributions on the court have undoubtedly positioned him as a standout finalist in the league.
#5. Justin Kier, a 6'4'' guard who recently graduated from Arizona in 2022, showcased his skills in a recent game in the German easyCredit BBL. Playing for MHP Riesen Ludwigsburg, he led his team to a decisive victory against Braunschweig, the third-ranked team in the league, with a score of 107-98. Kier's stellar performance included scoring 16 points, grabbing 3 rebounds, and dishing out 5 assists in 33 minutes of play. Despite MHP Riesen Ludwigsburg currently being placed seventh in the league with a record of 3-2, Kier's contributions on the court have been instrumental in the team's success. His performance against Braunschweig exemplified his impact, as he played a key role in securing the win as the champion of that game. Throughout the season, Kier has maintained impressive individual statistics, averaging 15.6 points, 1.8 rebounds, and 5.0 assists per game across five games. His consistent high-level performance has undoubtedly made him a standout player in the league and a key figure in MHP Riesen Ludwigsburg's quest for success.
#6. Lithuanian Azuolas Tubelis, a 24-year-old forward standing at 6'10'' and an alum of Wildcats from 2023, is currently playing professionally in Lithuania. In a recent Euroleague match, he played a pivotal role in Zalgiris' victory over the seventh-ranked FC Barcelona with a score of 88-81. Tubelis showcased his skills by contributing 8 points, 3 rebounds, and 2 assists during the game, earning him recognition for his outstanding performance. His valuable contributions helped lead his team to victory, ultimately securing their position as the champion in that crucial match. Throughout this season, Tubelis has maintained solid statistics, averaging 12.2 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 2.2 assists per game over five games. His consistent performance on the court has been instrumental in his team's success, showcasing his potential as a promising player in the league.
#7. Australian champion Keanu Pinder, a 6'11'' forward/center aged 31, graduated from Arizona in 2018 after helping them clinch the Pac Regular Season Champion title that year. Currently playing professionally in Australia, Pinder showcased his skills by leading the Cairns Taipans to a 110-100 victory over the underdog Hawks in the Australian National Basketball League last Sunday. In an outstanding performance, he contributed 19 points and 6 assists in just 21 minutes of play. Pinder's remarkable display against Illawarra Hawks included scoring 19 points, securing 3 rebounds, and distributing 6 assists, guiding his team to a well-deserved win. Displaying true champion spirit, Pinder excelled on the court. Throughout the season, he has maintained impressive individual statistics, averaging 15.7 points, 5.1 rebounds, 3.6 assists, and 1.4 steals per game over seven games.
#8. Kaleb Tarczewski, a former Wildcats alumni from 2016 standing at 7'0'' and currently 33 years old, is showcasing his skills as a professional player in Italy. Recently, he played a crucial role in guiding Gevi Napoli Basket to a resounding 99-80 victory over the 14th-ranked Cantu in the Italian Serie A. Despite scoring just 2 points and grabbing 4 rebounds within a 12-minute span, Tarczewski's impact was undeniable. His modest statistics do not fully capture his contribution to the team's success in the game, proving himself as a champion player. Throughout the season, Tarczewski has maintained an average of 2.7 points per game and 3.0 rebounds per game across three matches, demonstrating his consistent performance as a finalist.
#9. Rawle Alkins, a 6'6'' shooting guard who graduated from Arizona in 2018, has been making a significant impact playing professionally in Japan for the Tokyo Sun Rockers. Despite his best efforts in the recent game against the Grouses, where he scored 16 points, grabbed 8 rebounds, dished out 6 assists, and blocked 2 shots in 37 minutes, his team fell short and lost 90-96 on the road. Alkins has been showcasing his skills consistently throughout the season, averaging impressive statistics of 19.9 points, 7.3 rebounds, 4.4 assists, and 1.6 steals per game in the seven games played so far. His strong individual performances have not gone unnoticed, but unfortunately, his team has faced challenges securing victories. A true champion, Alkins continues to demonstrate his talent on the court as he strives to lead his team to success in the league.
#10. Australian champion Anthony Dell'Orso, a 6'6'' guard aged 23 and a Wildcats alum from 2026, played a significant role in helping his team secure the Big 12 Regular Season Champion title that year. Currently playing professionally in Australia, Dell'Orso recently contributed to a decisive 100-84 victory against the closely-ranked Breakers in the Australian National Basketball League. In that game, Dell'Orso showcased his skills by scoring 10 points, grabbing 4 rebounds, and dishing out 3 assists in 27 minutes of play, highlighting his prowess as a finalist player. His consistent performance throughout the season is evident from his impressive stats, averaging 13.4 points, 3.8 rebounds, 3.0 assists, and 1.4 steals per game in five appearances.
Other former University of Arizona players, who play in pro basketball:
Derrick Williams (6'8''-F-1991, played in 2009-11) signed for AEK in Greek GBL
Cedric Henderson Jr. (6'6''-G/F-2000, played in 2023-23) plays for Siauliai in Lithuanian LKL
Henri Veesaar (7'0''-C-2004, played in 2022-25) signed for Atlanta Hawks in the NBA
Trey Townsend (6'6''-F-2002, played in 2024-25) signed for Charlotte Hornets in the NBA
Koa Peat (6'8''-F-2007, played in 2025-26) signed for Phoenix Suns in the NBA
Brandon Williams (6'1''-PG-1999, played in 2018-19) plays for Dallas Mavericks in the NBA
Tobe Awaka (6'8''-F-2004, played in 2024-26) signed for Chicago Bulls in the NBA
Brayden Burries (6'4''-G-2005, played in 2025-26) signed for Milwaukee Bucks in the NBA
Dalen Terry (6'7''-G-2002, played in 2020-22) signed for Golden State Warriors in the NBA
Bennedict Mathurin (6'6''-G/F-2002, played in 2020-22) plays for Los Angeles Clippers in the NBA
Pelle Larsson (6'6''-G-2001, played in 2021-24) plays for Miami Heat in the NBA
DeAndre Ayton (7'0''-C-1998, played in 2017-18) signed for Washington Wizards in the NBA
Carter Bryant (6'8''-F-2005, played in 2024-25) signed for San Antonio Spurs in the NBA
Caleb Love (6'4''-G-2001, played in 2024-25) signed for Philadelphia 76ers in the NBA
Jaden Bradley (6'3''-G-2003, played in 2023-26) signed for Toronto Raptors in the NBA
Christian Koloko (7'0''-C-2000, played in 2019-22) played for New Orleans Pelicans in the NBA
Aaron Gordon (6'9''-PF-1995, played in 2013-14) plays for Denver Nuggets in the NBA
Josh Green (6'5''-G-2000, played in 2019-20) signed for Minnesota Timberwolves in the NBA
Keshad Johnson (6'7''-F-2001, played in 2023-24) plays for Miami Heat in the NBA
Lauri Markkanen (7'0''-F/C-1997, played in 2016-17) plays for Utah Jazz in the NBA
T.J. McConnell (6'1''-G-1992, played in 2012-12) plays for Indiana Pacers in the NBA
Zeke Nnaji (6'10''-PF-2001, played in 2019-20) plays for Denver Nuggets in the NBA
Brandon Randolph (6'6''-G/F-1997, played in 2017-19) signed for Chiba Jets in Japanese B.Premier League
Kyle Fogg (6'3''-G-1990, played in 2008-12) played for Shanghai Sharks in Chinese CBA
Oumar Ballo (7'0''-C-2002, played in 2021-24) signed for Galatasaray Ekmas Istanbul in Turkish BSL
Grant Jerrett (6'10''-C-1993, played in 2012-13) signed for Ryukyu Golden Kings Okinawa in Japanese B.Premier League
Ira Lee (6'8''-F-1998, played in 2017-21) signed for Science City Jena in German BBL
Ryan Luther (6'9''-PF-1995, played in 2018-19) signed for Nagoya Diamond Dolphins in Japanese B.Premier League
Parker Jackson-Cartwright (5'11''-PG-1995, played in 2014-18) signed for New Zealand Breakers in Australian NBL
Dylan Smith (6'5''-SG-1997, played in 2016-16) plays for Argentino in Argentinian La Liga
Rondae Hollis-Jefferson (6'7''-F/C-1995, played in 2013-15) plays for Meralco Bolts in Filipino PBA
Courtney Ramey (6'3''-G-1999, played in 2022-23) plays for PGE Start Lublin in Polish OBL
Terry Armstrong (6'7''-G-2000, played in 2019-20) signed for Kozuv in North Macedonian Super League
Chase Jeter (6'10''-C/F-1997, played in 2017-17) plays for Hawkes Bay Hawks in New Zealand NBL
Kadeem Allen (6'2''-G-1993, played in 2014-14) played for Cremona in Italian Serie A2
Brandon Ashley (6'9''-PF-1994, played in 2012-15) plays for Altiri Chiba in Japanese B.Premier League
Mark Lyons (6'1''-G-1989, played in 2012-13) plays for Brillantes in Venezuelan SPB
Gabe York (6'3''-SG-1993, played in 2012-16) plays for Davis Steel in the The Basketball Tournament
Dusan Ristic (7'0''-C-1995, played in 2014-18) signed for Fukui Blowinds in Japanese B.One League
Notice: The list above includes only some of alumni playing currently in pro basketball. Check complete list of University of Arizona basketball alumni.
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Ex-Players
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