Courtesy of Eurobasket LLC We bring you last week's top former Retrievers players who are currently playing in pro basketball.
#1. British Daniel Akin, a 6'9'' center who is 28 years old, graduated from Utah State in 2023. He previously played for UMBC between 2017 and 2021, where he notably contributed to their success in winning the AEC Regular Season Champion title. Currently playing professionally in Romania, Akin recently led his team, Oradea, to a resounding 101-74 victory over the ninth-ranked Galati in the Romanian Liga Nationala Baschet de Masculin. This impressive performance earned him the title of MVP for the game. During the match, Akin showcased his skills by recording a double-double with 18 points and 11 rebounds, along with 2 blocks, all in just 27 minutes of play. Despite it being his first game for Oradea this season, Akin's impact was undeniable. His team currently holds the third position in the league standings, setting the stage for an exciting season ahead. Acknowledged for his outstanding performance against Galati, Akin's noteworthy stats and overall contribution earned him the respect of fans and experts alike. His exceptional display on the court not only secured the victory for Oradea but also earned him the prestigious Triple-Double Badge from eurobasket.com, highlighting his prowess as a champion. As the season progresses, Akin's talent and determination will undoubtedly be key factors in Oradea's quest for success.
#2. Keondre Kennedy, a 6'6'' guard/forward and 26-year-old Spartans alumni from 2023, previously played at UMBC between 2019 and 2022 before embarking on his professional career in Lithuania. Despite his All-AEC First Team award during his time at UMBC, Kennedy couldn't assist Lietkabelis (2-2) in their recent game last Sunday. The team suffered a crushing 97-68 defeat on the road against the formidable Zalgiris, despite Kennedy's commendable performance of scoring 11 points in 22 minutes of play. This marks Kennedy's first season with Lietkabelis, where he has been putting up solid numbers, averaging 10.5 points per game and 2.3 rebounds per game. In the recent game against Zalgiris, Kennedy showcased his skills by contributing 11 points and grabbing 3 rebounds, although his team ultimately faced defeat.
#3. KJ Jackson, a 6'2'' guard who graduated from UMBC in 2020 and received the All-AEC Second Team award that year, is currently playing professionally in Greece. In a recent game for Karditsa against the eighth-ranked Aris, Jackson showcased his skills by contributing significantly to his team's victory with a score of 74-68 in the Greek Stoiximan Basketball League. Despite it being his first game of the season with Karditsa, Jackson managed to record 6 points, 3 assists, and 4 steals in 30 minutes of play. This outstanding performance helped propel his team to success, solidifying his reputation as a champion. Currently, Karditsa stands second in the league, with Jackson making a notable impact in his debut season with the team. His all-around contribution of scoring points, grabbing rebounds, and assisting teammates highlights his value as a finalist on the court.
#4. Polish champion Szymon Wojcik, a 6'10'' power forward who is 26 years old and an alumnus of Retrievers from 2022, currently plays professionally in Poland. Recently, he made a significant impact in Anwil Wloclawek's narrow 88-87 victory over the 11th-ranked Gornik in the Polish Orlen Basket Liga. Despite only playing 15 minutes, Wojcik contributed 8 points and 3 assists in his debut game for Anwil Wloclawek this season. Impressively, Wojcik's performance helped secure the win for his team, who currently holds the top spot in the league standings. This season marks Wojcik's first year with the team, and he wasted no time showcasing his skills on the court. In the game against Gornik, he displayed his scoring ability, grabbed a rebound, and facilitated the offense with 3 assists, solidifying his position as a key player for Anwil Wloclawek as they aim to defend their champion title.
#5. Brandon Horvath, a 6'10'' forward/center who is 27 years old, graduated from Utah State in 2022 but previously played for UMBC from 2017 to 2021. During his time at UMBC, he notably helped the team to win the AEC Regular Season Champion title in a particular year. Currently playing professionally in Hungary, Horvath recently played for DEAC but was unable to lead his team to victory against Honved in the Hungarian Nemzeti Bajnoksag I/A league. In the game against Honved, Horvath put up an impressive performance, scoring 9 points, grabbing 6 rebounds, and dishing out 4 assists in just 22 minutes of play. Despite his contributions, DEAC suffered a 93-88 loss at home to the higher-ranked Honved, who were positioned at #4 in the league standings. Throughout the season, Horvath has maintained solid statistics, averaging 10.5 points per game, 6.5 rebounds per game, and 2.5 assists per game. His skills and contributions on the court continue to make him a valuable player for his team, even in the face of challenging matchups against strong opponents like Honved.
Other former University of Maryland - Baltimore County players, who play in pro basketball:
DJ Armstrong (6'4''-G-2002, played in 2025-26) signed for Charlotte Hornets in the NBA
Kevin Maura (5'8''-PG-1995, played in 2016-18) plays for Mets de Guaynabo in Puerto Rican BSN
Khydarius Smith (6'8''-F/C-2001, played in 2023-24) plays for Venados de Mazatlan in Mexican CIBACOPA
Marlon Short (6'4''-G-2001, played in 2023-25) played for BK Ogre in Latvian LBL
Jarvis Doles (6'8''-F-1998, played in 2022-23) plays for Bendigo Braves in Australian NBL One
Bryce Johnson (6'4''-G-2002, played in 2023-25) plays for Willetton Tigers in Australian NBL One
Benjamin Curran (6'9''-F-1997, played in 2016-20) plays for North Adelaide Rockets in Australian NBL One
Darnell Rogers (5'2''-PG-1997, played in 2019-22) plays for Charlotte Blue Jackets in the ECBL
Jacob Boonyasith (6'3''-G, played in 2020-23) played for La Roda in Spanish Tercera FEB
Charles Taylor (6'4''-F-1994, played in 2013-15) plays for Park City Dreamers in the ECBL
Notice: The list above includes only some of alumni playing currently in pro basketball. Check complete list of University of Maryland - Baltimore County basketball alumni.
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