Courtesy of Eurobasket LLC We bring you last week's top former Huskies players who are currently playing in pro basketball.
Look at great performance of RJ Cole (19 points), Stephon Castle (25 points), and Hassan Diarra (30 points).
#1. RJ Cole, a 6'0'' point guard who graduated from UConn in 2022 and received the USBWA All-District I Team award that year, currently plays professionally in Italy. In a recent Italian Serie A game, he led Umana Reyer Venezia to a decisive 87-75 victory over Tortona, a closely-ranked opponent with a record of 17-11. This triumph was particularly impressive as it showcased Cole's skills and leadership on the court, earning him the well-deserved MVP title for the game. Despite it being his first season with Umana Reyer Venezia, Cole has made a significant impact, contributing greatly to the team's success. With impressive statistics, including an average of 16.4 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 4.8 assists per game in the 32 games he has played so far, Cole has proven himself to be a standout player in the league. His remarkable performance against Tortona, where he scored 19 points, collected 3 rebounds, and provided 2 assists in just 28 minutes of play, further solidified his reputation as a true champion. Cole's consistent excellence and contributions have been pivotal in his team's success, positioning Umana Reyer Venezia as a formidable contender in the league.
#2. Stephon Castle, a 6'6'' guard and 21-year-old Huskies alum from the class of 2024, was instrumental in helping his team clinch the Big East Regular Season Champion title that year. Now playing professionally in the NBA for the San Antonio Spurs, Castle recently faced off against the Oklahoma City Thunder in a tough game where, despite his stellar performance, his team suffered a loss. In the game, Castle emerged as the top scorer with 25 points to his name, showcasing his offensive prowess. Additionally, he contributed 5 rebounds and 8 assists in 39 minutes of play, highlighting his versatility and playmaking abilities on the court. This impressive display is particularly noteworthy considering Castle is only in his second season in professional basketball. Although Castle displayed exceptional skills and delivered remarkable statistics, including an average of 17.0 points, 5.3 rebounds, 7.3 assists, and 1.1 steals per game across 84 appearances, his efforts were not enough to secure a victory for the Spurs that night. Despite the setback, Castle's standout performance underscores his potential as a rising star in the league, poised to continue making significant contributions as he progresses in his career.
#3. In a thrilling match on Saturday night, Hassan Diarra, a 25-year-old 6'2'' guard who graduated from UConn in 2025 and now plays professionally in Lithuania, led Uniclub Casino Juventus Utenos to a remarkable victory over the second-ranked Rytas with a score of 101-95 in the Lithuanian Betsafe Lietuvos krepsinio lyga. Diarra, the standout player of the game, demonstrated his prowess by scoring an impressive 30 points and contributing 3 assists in just 34 minutes of play. This exceptional performance is even more remarkable considering that this is only Diarra's first season in professional basketball. The victory over Rytas marked the fourth consecutive win for Diarra's team, showcasing their growing strength and teamwork. Despite Uniclub Casino Juventus Utenos being placed seventh in the league, Diarra's impact on the court has been undeniable. It is worth noting that this is Diarra's inaugural year with the team, making his accomplishments even more impressive. Diarra's overall performance this season has been commendable, with an average of 13.7 points, 1.6 rebounds, and 3.1 assists per game in 22 appearances. His dedication, skill, and ability to deliver under pressure demonstrate why he is truly a champion in the making.
#4. Christian Vital, a 6'2'' guard and 29-year-old alum of the Huskies from 2020, is currently playing professionally in Italy. Recently, he showcased his talent by leading Tortona to a decisive 82-71 victory over the closely-ranked Umana Venezia in the Italian Serie A. In this thrilling game, Vital was not only a key player but also the MVP, scoring 16 points in just 24 minutes of play. The victory was crucial for Bertram Yachts Derthona Tortona, currently placed fifth in the league. Against Venezia, Vital displayed an impressive performance, contributing 16 points, 2 rebounds, and 2 assists. His stellar play was instrumental in securing the win for his team and ultimately claiming the title of champion. Throughout the season, Vital has consistently delivered outstanding performances, averaging 17.7 points per game, the second-best in the league, along with 3.5 rebounds, 2.8 assists, and 1.3 steals per game in 33 appearances. It is worth noting that Vital, a naturalized American, has been excelling on the court and making a significant impact in the Italian Serie A league.
#5. Experienced German Niels Giffey, a 6'7'' forward who is 34 years old and graduated from UConn in 2014 after helping them win the NCAA Championship that year, currently plays professionally in Germany. In a recent game, he made a significant contribution to his team's dominance over the seventh-ranked Gladiators, with a final score of 92-65 in favor of his team in the German easyCredit BBL. Giffey played for 16 minutes and scored 8 points during the match. His team, FC Bayern Muenchen Basketball, holds the top spot in the league with a record of 29-5, securing their ninth consecutive victory. This marks Giffey's fourth season with the team. In a game against Trier, he not only scored 8 points but also grabbed 1 rebound, playing a crucial role in leading his team to victory and eventually emerging as the finalist. Throughout this season, Giffey has maintained an average of 7.5 points per game and 3.0 rebounds per game over 35 games.
#6. Josh Carlton, a 6'10'' forward/center and 27-year-old Cougar alum from 2022, previously played for UConn between 2017 and 2021 before embarking on a professional career in China. Despite his best efforts, Carlton could not lead Zhejiang Guangsha Lions to victory over the Leopards, resulting in a disappointing 80-91 loss. In this particular game, Carlton scored just 3 points and secured 7 rebounds in 10 minutes of play, making it a forgettable performance for the champion. However, he showcased his skills in a match against Shenzhen Lions, contributing 3 points and 7 rebounds, but unfortunately, his team still fell short. Throughout the season, Carlton has maintained an average of 6.6 points per game and 5.3 rebounds per game in 42 appearances, striving to excel as a finalist on the court.
#7. Ghanaian center Amida Brimah, standing at 7 feet tall and aged 32, is a former UConn graduate from the class of 2017 who currently plays professionally in Spain. Despite his efforts, Brimah was unable to lead Coviran Granada to victory against Tenerife in the latest match. During the game, Brimah managed to score just 4 points in a total of 10 minutes on the court. Unfortunately, his team ended up on the losing side with a final score of 96-109. Throughout the current season, Brimah has been maintaining an average of 4.7 points, 2.1 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks per game across 24 appearances. Despite the outcome of the recent game, Brimah's contributions on the court continue to be notable as he strives to elevate his team's performance in each match.
#8. South Sudanese champion Ater Majok, a 38-year-old center standing at 6'11'' and an alumnus of the Huskies from 2010, showcased his skills in the Basketball Africa League as he led his Senegalese team ASCVD to a thrilling 93-90 victory against the closely-ranked Al Ahly Cairo on Friday night. In this intense game, Majok delivered an impressive performance, scoring 14 points and grabbing 5 rebounds in 31 minutes of play. His contributions on the court were crucial in securing the important win for his team. Throughout this season, he has been maintaining solid averages of 9.9 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 1.1 assists per game in seven games played. Additionally, it is worth noting that Majok holds a Lebanese passport, adding to his international profile as a standout basketball player.
#9. Tyler Polley, a 6'8'' forward who recently graduated from UConn in 2022, showcased his skills as a champion player in the recent Canadian Elite Basketball League game. Playing for the Brampton Honey Badgers, Polley played a pivotal role in their 96-92 victory against the Sea Bears on Monday night. Despite only playing 16 minutes, Polley managed to contribute 7 points, 2 rebounds, and 1 assist, demonstrating his value to the team. His impressive performance was instrumental in securing the win and highlighted his abilities as a finalist player. Throughout the season, Polley has maintained an average of 2.8 points per game and 1.5 rebounds per game in the four games played so far, further solidifying his position as a key player for the team.
Other former University of Connecticut players, who play in pro basketball:
Shabazz Napier (6'1''-PG-1991, played in 2010-14) played for FC Bayern Muenchen Basketball in German BBL few monts ago
Adama Sanogo (6'9''-C-2002, played in 2025-25) plays for Hapoel Holon in Israeli Winner League
Donovan Clingan (7'2''-C-2004, played in 2022-24) plays for Portland Trail Blazers in the NBA
Tristen Newton (6'5''-G-2001, played in 2022-24) plays for Houston Rockets in the NBA
Jordan Hawkins (6'5''-G-2002) plays for New Orleans Pelicans in the NBA
Andre Drummond (6'11''-C-1993, played in 2011-12) plays for Philadelphia 76ers in the NBA
Cam Spencer (6'4''-G-2000, played in 2023-24) plays for Memphis Grizzlies in the NBA
Tyrese Martin (6'6''-G-1999, played in 2020-22) plays for Philadelphia 76ers in the NBA
Andre Jackson Jr. (6'6''-G-2001) plays for Milwaukee Bucks in the NBA
Liam McNeeley (6'7''-F-2005, played in 2024-25) plays for Charlotte Hornets in the NBA
Jalen Adams (6'3''-SG-1995, played in 2015-19) plays for Parma-Pari in Russian VTB United League
Gavin Edwards (6'9''-F/C-1988, played in 2006-10) plays for Link Tochigi Brex Utsunomiya in Japanese B1 League
Isaiah Whaley (6'9''-F/C-1998, played in 2017-22) plays for Napoli in Italian Serie A
Alterique Gilbert (6'0''-PG-1997, played in 2016-20) played for Gornik Zamek Ksiaz Walbrzych in Polish OBL last year
Malachi Smith (6'1''-G, played in 2025-26) plays for Capitanes de Arecibo in Puerto Rican BSN
Terry Larrier (6'8''-F-1995, played in 2015-15) plays for Soles in Dominican Rep. LNB
Samson Johnson (6'10''-C-2002, played in 2021-25) plays for Noblesville Boom in the NBA G League
Omar Calhoun (6'6''-G-1993, played in 2012-16) played for Bisons in Finnish Korisliiga last year
Rodney Purvis (6'4''-SG-1994, played in 2013-13) plays for Kozuv in North Macedonian Super League
Uri Cohen Mintz (6'9''-F/C-1973, played in 1994-95) plays for Ramat Hasharon in Israeli National League
Kentan Facey (6'9''-PF-1993, played in 2013-17) plays for Caen Basket Calvados in French ProB
Hasheem Thabeet (7'2''-C-1987, played in 2006-09) plays for Dar City in Tanzanian NBL
Tarin Smith (6'3''-G-1995, played in 2018-19) played for LA Ignite in the The Basketball Tournament last year
DeAndre Daniels (6'9''-F-1992, played in 2011-14) played for Stars of Storrs - UConn Alumni in the The Basketball Tournament last year
Lasan Kromah (6'6''-SG-1991, played in 2013-14) plays for Taiwan Beer Leopards in Taiwanese TPBL
Ryan Boatright (6'0''-PG-1992, played in 2011-15) played for Stars of Storrs - UConn Alumni in the The Basketball Tournament last year
Daniel Hamilton (6'7''-SG-1995, played in 2014-16) plays for Al Faisaly in Jordanian Premier League
James Bouknight (6'4''-G-2000, played in 2019-21) plays for Capitanes de Ciudad de Mexico in the NBA G League
Joey Calcaterra (6'3''-G-1998, played in 2024-25) plays for Memphis Hustle in the NBA G League
Notice: The list above includes only some of alumni playing currently in pro basketball. Check complete list of University of Connecticut basketball alumni.
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