Courtesy of Eurobasket LLC Here is the weekly review of the top performing Trojans alumni, who are currently playing in pro basketball.
Notice impressive performance of Rayjon Tucker (15 points), Ruot Monyyong (14 points), and Nikola Maric (4 points).
#1. Rayjon Tucker, a 6'3'' guard who graduated from UALR in 2019 and received the All-Sun Belt Second Team award, is currently playing professionally in China. In a recent game, Tucker, playing for Zhejiang Guangsha Lions, faced off against the leading Sharks but unfortunately could not help his team secure the win. Despite the team's 90-101 loss on the road, Tucker showcased his talent by scoring 15 points and grabbing 6 rebounds in just 13 minutes of play. In another standout performance against Shanghai Sharks, Tucker once again displayed his skills by contributing 15 points, 6 rebounds, and 2 assists. Despite his impressive individual performance, his team fell short of securing the victory. Throughout the season, Tucker has maintained high statistics, averaging 16.5 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 4.6 assists per game in the 49 games he has played so far. His consistent contributions on the court have solidified his reputation as a skilled player in the league.
#2. Ruot Monyyong, a 6'11'' forward and 28-year-old Trojans alumnus from 2021, who received the NABC Division I All-District 23 First Team award that year, is currently playing professionally in Mexico. In a recent game, he led Frayles de Guasave to a resounding 89-75 victory over the eighth-ranked Pioneros Los Mochis (18-22) in the Mexican Circuito de Baloncesto de la Costa del Pacifico. Despite only playing 19 minutes, Monyyong made a significant impact by scoring 14 points, grabbing 4 rebounds, and contributing 1 assist. His stellar performance helped Frayles de Guasave, currently placed second in the league, secure the win. Monyyong's consistent contributions on the court reflect his skills and determination. With an average of 9.4 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks per game (ranking him fourth in the league) over 24 games this season, he continues to showcase his talent and versatility. Monyyong's impressive performance in the recent game against Los Mochis exemplifies his ability to play like a true champion, leading his team to success and making a difference on the court.
#3. Bosnia and Herzegovina's Nikola Maric, a 6'10'' forward aged 27 who graduated from UALR in 2022 and currently plays professionally in Spain, could not lead Basquet Girona to victory in their recent match against Surne Bilbao in the Spanish Liga Endesa. Despite his efforts, Maric, the champion, scored just 4 points and secured 4 rebounds in 11 minutes of play. Basquet Girona ultimately fell short with a score of 80-86 against the higher-ranked (#7) Surne team, marking Basquet Girona's fourth consecutive loss. The Regular Season has already concluded. Maric, the finalist, displayed a noteworthy performance against Bilbao by contributing 4 points, 4 rebounds, and 1 assist. However, his individual efforts were not enough to secure a win for his team. Throughout the season, the champion Maric has maintained an average of 6.9 points per game and 3.3 rebounds per game over the course of 30 matches.
#4. Puerto Rican Isaiah Palermo, a 25-year-old guard/forward standing at 6'5'' and an alum of the Trojans from 2023, showcased his skills by contributing to Vaqueros de Bayamon's narrow 98-95 win against the sixth-ranked Osos in the Puerto Rican Baloncesto Superior Nacional game on Saturday night. Despite only scoring 2 points during his 9 minutes on the court, Palermo's presence proved valuable to his team. Vaqueros de Bayamon, leading Group B with a record of 16-9, secured their third consecutive victory. In a recent game against Manati, Palermo's 2 points and 3 rebounds were instrumental in helping his team claim the victory and ultimately be crowned the champion. Currently averaging 5.3 points and 1.9 rebounds per game in 23 appearances this season, Palermo continues to make significant contributions to his team's success.
#5. Serbian champion Jovan Stulic, a 6'6'' guard who is 26 years old and graduated from SIU in 2024, previously played for UALR between 2019 and 2023 before turning pro in Bosnia. Unfortunately, in the recent game against KK Bosna Meridianbet Sarajevo in the Bosnia and Herzegovina Division I, Stulic, a finalist, was unable to make a significant impact for OKK Sloboda Tuzla. Despite playing for 22 minutes, he only managed to score 2 points, which was not one of his best performances. OKK Sloboda Tuzla, currently in third place with a record of 20-10, suffered a heavy defeat of 88-45 against the top-ranked KK Bosna Meridianbet in the Winners Stage group. This season marks Stulic's first with the team, where he has shown glimpses of his talent. In a previous game against Bosna S., he contributed 2 points, 3 rebounds, and 1 assist, although his team ultimately fell short. Throughout the year, Stulic has maintained relatively good statistics, averaging 11.5 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 1.5 assists per game in 31 appearances. Additionally, it is worth noting that Stulic holds a Croatian passport alongside his Serbian nationality.
#6. Jamir Chaplin, a 6'4'' guard and 25-year-old Trojans alumni from 2024, has been making waves in the professional basketball scene in Canada. Known for his pivotal role in helping his college team achieve OVC Regular Season Co-Champion status in 2024, Chaplin continues to showcase his skills as a standout player. Recently, he played a crucial role in the Saskatchewan Mamba's narrow 100-98 victory over the Sea Bears in a Canadian Elite Basketball League match. In this game, Chaplin exhibited his talent by scoring 18 points, securing 6 rebounds, and playing for 28 minutes. His exceptional performance was instrumental in securing the victory for his team. Notably, in another game against Winnipeg, Chaplin once again shone by contributing 18 points, 6 rebounds, and 2 assists, leading his team to triumph. His consistent and impactful contributions on the court have proven to be vital in clinching victories and solidifying his reputation as a champion. Throughout this season, Chaplin has maintained good statistics, averaging 12.7 points per game and 4.3 rebounds per game across six games. His impressive performance on the court reflects his dedication and skill, establishing him as a formidable player and a true champion in the world of professional basketball.
Other former University of Arkansas at Little Rock players, who play in pro basketball:
Kris Bankston (6'9''-C-1999, played in 2017-21) plays for Turk Telekom Ankara in Turkish BSL
Myron Gardner (6'6''-SF-2001, played in 2024-24) plays for Miami Heat in the NBA
Josh Hagins (6'2''-G-1994, played in 2012-16) plays for Hapoel Holon in Israeli Winner League
DeAntoni Gordon (6'8''-F-2000, played in 2021-24) plays for Alkar in Croatian Premijer Liga
Jalen Jackson (6'6''-G/F-1994, played in 2014-17) plays for Korihait in Finnish Korisliiga
Marko Lukic (6'7''-G-1999, played in 2019-22) plays for Union SF in Argentinian La Liga
CJ White (6'5''-G-2000, played in 2020-23) played for Novosibirsk in Russian Superleague few monts ago
Marko Andric (6'2''-G-2002, played in 2020-22) played for Mladost in Bosnia and Herzegovina Division I last year
Admir Besovic (6'11''-C-1997, played in 2019-22) played for Bosnjak in Bosnia and Herzegovina A1 Liga last year
Dani Koljanin (6'8''-F-1996, played in 2018-19) plays for Hottur in Icelandic Division I
Lis Shoshi (6'11''-C-1994, played in 2015-17) plays for Ylli in Kosovan Superliga
Jordan Jefferson (6'4''-G, played in 2021-25) plays for Yorkshire Dragons in British BCB
Michael Hinestroza (6'11''-C-1990, played in 2009-13) plays for San Salvador in Salvadorean Liga MB
Will Neighbour (6'10''-C-1990, played in 2011-14) plays for Team Newcastle University in British BCB
Makhel Mitchell (6'10''-F/C-2000, played in 2023-24) plays for Nhatrang Dolphins in Vietnamese VBA
Devonte Smith (5'11''-PG-1992, played in 2013-15) plays for Hamilton County Huskers in the TBL
Notice: The list above includes only some of alumni playing currently in pro basketball. Check complete list of University of Arkansas at Little Rock basketball alumni.
|
|
|
Ex-Players
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
