Courtesy of Eurobasket LLC Here is the weekly review of the top performing Cougars alumni, who are currently playing in pro basketball.
Notice impressive performance of Armoni Brooks (27 points), Fabian White Jr. (17 points), and Wesley Van Beck (17 points).
#1. Armoni Brooks, a 6'3'' shooting guard aged 27, who graduated from Houston in 2019 after helping them secure the AAC Regular Season Champion title, currently plays professionally in Italy. In a recent game, he led AX Armani Exchange Milano to a commanding 84-72 victory over the closely-ranked Reggio Emilia. Brooks was named the MVP of the game for his exceptional performance, scoring an impressive 27 points, grabbing 6 rebounds, and distributing 5 assists in just 29 minutes of play. AX Armani Exchange Milano, with a record of 20-8, currently sits in third place in the Italian Serie A league standings, thanks in part to Brooks' contributions. The team's recent win marked their fourth consecutive victory, showcasing their strong form. Brooks has been instrumental in his team's success, demonstrating the skills and determination of a true champion on the court. Individually, Brooks has been having a standout season, with impressive statistics averaging 15.9 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 1.6 assists per game. His consistent high-level performance has been crucial for AX Armani Exchange Milano's success and has solidified his reputation as a top player in the league.
#2. Fabian White Jr., a 6'8'' power forward and 27-year-old Cougars alumnus from the class of 2022, currently competes professionally in Turkey. Recently, he displayed an outstanding performance as he led Galatasaray Ekmas Istanbul to a thrilling 78-75 victory over the second-ranked Besiktas in a highly anticipated derby game in the Turkish ING Basketbol Super Ligi. In this intense matchup, White Jr. demonstrated his skills by contributing 17 points, securing 8 rebounds, and blocking 2 shots in just 28 minutes of play. These impressive numbers earned him the well-deserved Most Valuable Player title for the game. Despite Galatasaray Ekmas Istanbul currently holding the seventh position in the league standings with a record of 17-13, White Jr.'s impact on the team's success is undeniable. His remarkable performance against Besiktas showcased his abilities as a true champion on the court, proving instrumental in securing the victory for his team. Throughout the season, White Jr. has maintained solid statistics, averaging 10.6 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 1.4 assists per game. His consistent contributions and standout plays highlight his importance to Galatasaray Ekmas Istanbul as they strive for success in the league. White Jr.'s dedication and talent continue to shine, establishing him as a key player and a formidable force in the Turkish basketball scene.
#3. Wesley Van Beck, a 6'4'' shooting guard who graduated from Houston in 2018 and helped lead his team to the final of the AAC Tournament that year, currently plays professionally in Spain. In a recent game, Van Beck played a crucial role in leading La Laguna Tenerife to a 109-96 victory over Coviran Granada, scoring 17 points, grabbing 7 rebounds, and dishing out 1 assist in just 23 minutes on the court. This standout performance not only helped his team secure a much-needed win but also demonstrated his talent and determination as a champion. Despite his team's recent struggles, with this victory being their first after five consecutive losses, Van Beck's contributions were instrumental in turning things around. La Laguna Tenerife currently holds the eighth position in the league with a record of 18-15, gearing up for their final game of the Regular Season, which holds significant importance. This season, Van Beck has been averaging 8.8 points per game, showcasing his consistent impact on the team. Having joined La Laguna Tenerife for his first season with the team, Van Beck's skills and performance on the court have quickly made him an essential player. As a naturalized American player, his abilities have shone through, making him a key player in the team's quest for success as they push towards the playoffs.
#4. Justin Gorham, a 6'7'' forward and 27-year-old Cougars alumni from 2021, who received the All-AAC Most Improved Player of the Year award, currently plays professionally in Italy. In a recent game last Tuesday, Gorham, despite his notable performance, could not lead Tortona (17-11) to victory as they were defeated 89-83 on the road by the higher-ranked Umana Venezia (#4). Gorham emerged as the second-best scorer for his team, contributing 16 points in 26 minutes of play. Against Umana Venezia, Gorham displayed an impressive performance by scoring 16 points, along with 2 rebounds and 1 assist. However, despite his contributions, Tortona fell short in the game. Throughout the season, Gorham has been averaging 9.3 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 1.9 assists per game.
#5. Experienced champion TaShawn Thomas, a 6'8'' forward/center aged 33, who graduated from Oklahoma in 2015 and previously played in Houston from 2011 to 2014, is currently showcasing his skills as a professional player in France. Recently, in a game where his team, Le Mans Sarthe Basket (19-11), faced off against JSF Nanterre (21-9) in the French Betclic ELITE league, Thomas displayed his talent on the court. Despite his valiant efforts, Le Mans Sarthe Basket was unable to secure a victory against the formidable JSF Nanterre, who emerged as the finalist with a commanding 90-74 win. Thomas emerged as the top scorer for his team, contributing 9 points along with 3 assists during his 21 minutes of play. His performance was commendable, as he also managed to grab 3 rebounds. However, despite his impressive individual stats, Thomas and his team ultimately fell short against the higher-ranked JSF Nanterre. Throughout this season, Thomas has been consistently contributing to his team's efforts, averaging 9.4 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 1.6 assists per game. His experience and skills make him a valuable asset for Le Mans Sarthe Basket as they strive to compete at the highest level in the French league.
#6. U.S. Virgin Islands native J'Wan Roberts, a 24-year-old forward standing at 6'8" and an alumnus of the Cougars class of 2025, showcased his basketball prowess by aiding his team in clinching the Big 12 Regular Season Champion title in that same year. Currently playing professionally in Germany, Roberts recently made a significant impact in ALBA Berlin's triumph over the tenth-ranked Rasta Vechta with a score of 98-89 in the German easyCredit BBL. During the game, Roberts demonstrated his skills by contributing 7 points, securing 5 rebounds, and making 2 blocks in just 16 minutes of play. His standout performance against Vechta included scoring 7 points, grabbing 5 rebounds, and providing 1 assist, ultimately playing a pivotal role in ensuring victory for his team. Roberts' exceptional performance on the court undoubtedly contributed to his team's success as the champion. In the current season, Roberts maintains an average of 5.4 points per game, 3.9 rebounds per game, and 1.8 assists per game, highlighting his consistent contributions to his team's performance throughout the season.
#7. Kyler Edwards, a 6'4'' guard who graduated from Houston in 2022 after helping them win the AAC Regular Season Champion that year, currently plays professionally in Israel. In a recent game last Wednesday, Edwards unfortunately could not lead H. Gilboa Galil to victory as they were narrowly defeated 77-75 at home by the higher-ranked Hapoel Jerusalem, who are ranked #3 in the league standings. Despite the loss, Edwards displayed a strong performance, emerging as the top scorer for his team with 13 points. Additionally, he contributed 3 assists in 33 minutes of gameplay. His efforts on the court were commendable, but his team fell short in securing the win against Hapoel Jerusalem. Throughout the season, Edwards has maintained impressive individual statistics, averaging 18.9 points per game, which ranks him as the second-best scorer in the league. He also averages 4.0 rebounds, 3.4 assists, and 1.8 steals per game, showcasing his well-rounded skills and valuable contribution to his team's performance.
#8. Mylik Wilson, a 6'3'' guard and 25-year-old alumnus of the Cougars from 2025, was instrumental in helping them clinch the Big 12 Regular Season Champion title that year. Currently playing professionally in Hungary, Wilson recently faced a setback while representing Kaposvari (17-9) in a game last Saturday. Despite his commendable performance, where he emerged as the second-highest scorer with 16 points, secured 6 rebounds, and provided 3 assists in 28 minutes, Kaposvari was unable to secure a victory. The team, currently positioned third, suffered a 77-71 defeat to the lower-ranked Atomeromu (#7) in the Play-Off group. Despite Wilson's impressive individual season performance, where he boasts averages of 16.8 points, 4.7 rebounds, 4.5 assists, and 2.8 steals per game (leading the league in steals), his efforts were not enough to carry Kaposvari to victory in the recent game.
#9. Damyean Dotson, a 6'5'' guard/forward who graduated from Houston in 2017 and received the All-AAC First Team award that same year, currently plays professionally in Japan. In a recent game, he played a crucial role in leading Ryukyu Golden Kings Okinawa to a narrow 71-69 victory over the league leader Velca. Dotson showcased his skills by scoring 11 points, grabbing 4 rebounds, and providing 1 assist in just 18 minutes of play. His impressive performance on the court not only contributed to the team's win but also highlighted his capabilities as a true champion. Throughout the season, Dotson has maintained solid statistics, averaging 11.9 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 1.8 assists per game, further solidifying his status as a standout finalist in the league.
#10. Josh Carlton, a 6'10'' forward/center and 27-year-old alumnus of the Cougars from 2022, played a crucial role in helping them secure the AAC Regular Season Champion title that year. Currently plying his trade in China, Carlton's recent performance for Zhejiang Guangsha Lions against the Sharks was not one of his standout games. Despite his efforts, he only managed to score 2 points and collect 8 rebounds in 13 minutes of play, as his team suffered a close 91-88 defeat. In a match against Shanghai S, Carlton once again displayed his basketball prowess by contributing 2 points, 8 rebounds, and 2 assists. However, despite his impressive performance, his team ended up on the losing side. Throughout the season, Carlton has been maintaining an average of 6.4 points per game and 5.2 rebounds per game.
Other former University of Houston players, who play in pro basketball:
LJ Cryer (6'1''-G-2001, played in 2023-25) plays for Golden State Warriors in the NBA
Quentin Grimes (6'5''-SG-2000, played in 2019-21) plays for Philadelphia 76ers in the NBA
Marcus Sasser (6'2''-G-2000, played in 2019-23) plays for Detroit Pistons in the NBA
Jamal Shead (6'1''-G-2002, played in 2020-24) plays for Toronto Raptors in the NBA
Jarace Walker (6'8''-F-2003) plays for Indiana Pacers in the NBA
DeJon Jarreau (6'5''-PG-1998, played in 2017-17) plays for Memphis Grizzlies in the NBA
Corey Davis (6'1''-PG-1997, played in 2017-19) plays for NINERS Chemnitz in German BBL
Rob Gray (6'1''-G-1994, played in 2015-18) plays for Promitheas in Greek GBL
Taze Moore (6'5''-G-1998, played in 2021-22) plays for Itelyum Varese in Italian Serie A
Devin Davis (6'6''-F-1995, played in 2016-18) plays for Koroivos in Greek Elite League
Ja'Vier Francis (6'8''-F-2003, played in 2021-25) plays for Santa Cruz Warriors in the NBA G League
Devonta Pollard (6'8''-F-1994, played in 2014-16) played for Guinda de Nogales in Mexican CIBAPac few monts ago
Chris Harris (6'10''-C-1997, played in 2017-20) plays for Nakhchivan in Azerbaijani ABL
Hakeem Olajuwon (7'0''-C/F-1963, played in 1980-84) plays for Retired Stars in the Retired Stars
Aubrey Coleman (6'4''-G-1987, played in 2006-10) played for Chongqing in Chinese D3 last year
Nate Hinton Jr. (6'5''-G/F-1999, played in 2018-20) plays for Memphis Hustle in the NBA G League
Danrad Knowles (6'10''-C/F-1992, played in 2012-12) plays for Salou in Spanish Segunda FEB
Jonathon Simmons (6'6''-G-1989, played in 2010-10) played for Boston Ball Hogs in the Big3 last year
Jeremee McGuire (6'11''-C/F-1981, played in 1999-03) played for Guy Levy Legends in the ABA last year
Galen Robinson Jr. (6'1''-PG-1997, played in 2015-19) played for Forever Coogs - Houston in the The Basketball Tournament last year
Kyle Meyer (6'10''-C-1993, played in 2015-17) played for Glass City Wranglers in the TBL last year
Notice: The list above includes only some of alumni playing currently in pro basketball. Check complete list of University of Houston basketball alumni.
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