Courtesy of Eurobasket LLC Every week we bring you a list of the top former Cornhuskers players who continue their career in pro basketball.
#1. In a thrilling match last Sunday, Glynn Watson Jr., the 6'0'' point guard who graduated from Nebraska in 2019 and now plays professionally in Italy, showcased his talent by leading Umana Reyer Venezia to a hard-fought victory over Trieste in the Italian Serie A. The game ended with a score of 87-82 in favor of Umana Reyer Venezia, with Watson Jr. being named the MVP for his outstanding performance on the court. During the game, Watson Jr. demonstrated his skills by scoring 17 points, securing 5 rebounds, and providing 3 assists in just 27 minutes of play. This stellar contribution played a crucial role in securing the win for his team, positioning them for success as they aim to become the champion of the league. Despite being in the early stages of the season, Umana Reyer Venezia currently holds the fourth spot in the league standings with a 2-0 record. With Watson Jr. in top form and delivering consistent performances, the team has high hopes for a successful season ahead, with the ultimate goal of reaching the final and claiming the title. This season marks Watson Jr.'s first year with Umana Reyer Venezia, and he has already made a significant impact with his impressive statistics. Averaging 14.0 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 4.5 assists per game in the two matches played so far, Watson Jr. has proven to be a key player for his team as they strive to achieve their goal of becoming the champion.
#2. Alonzo Verge Jr, a 6'3'' point guard and 27-year-old Cornhuskers alumnus from 2022, showcased his skills in the Spanish Liga Endesa last Sunday. Playing professionally in Spain, Verge Jr led Leyma Basquet Coruna to a thrilling 104-101 victory over Surne Bilbao, a closely-ranked opponent with a 1-1 record. In an impressive display, he was named the MVP of the game after scoring an outstanding 29 points, grabbing 4 rebounds, and dishing 6 assists in just 30 minutes of play. This stellar performance by Verge Jr proved instrumental in securing the victory for his team as the champion. Despite Leyma Basquet Coruna currently holding the 14th spot in the league standings, Verge Jr's arrival in his first season with the team has been impactful. His exceptional contributions on the court against Bilbao exemplify his talent and leadership. With an average of 22.5 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 7.5 assists per game over the course of two games, Verge Jr has been having a remarkable season individually as well. His remarkable skills and impressive stats make him a standout finalist in the league.
#3. German champion Sam Griesel, a 6'7'' guard/forward aged 26 who graduated from Nebraska in 2023 and received the Big Ten All-Sportsmanship Team award that year, currently plays professionally in Germany. In a recent Basketball Champions League match, he led his team ALBA Berlin to a decisive 110-86 victory over Slavia, who were closely ranked at 0-1. Griesel's standout performance included scoring 14 points in just 21 minutes of play, marking his debut game for ALBA Berlin this season. This game, which pitted two top 4 ranked teams against each other, was considered the highlight of the round. As a result of the victory, his team now holds the top position in the league standings. Against Slavia, Griesel not only contributed 14 points but also secured 3 rebounds and provided 1 assist, showcasing his diverse skill set and significant impact on the game. His exceptional display on the court underscored his capabilities as a finalist.
#4. Danish Shavon Shields, a 6'7'' forward and 32-year-old former Cornhuskers alumnus from 2016, currently plays professionally in Turkey. He recently played a crucial role in Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul's triumph over Dubai, the 11th-ranked team in the Euroleague, with a score of 76-66 last Friday. In this game, Shields made a significant impact by scoring 9 points in just 17 minutes of play. Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul, currently standing at fourth place in the league with a record of 3-1, has been on a winning streak, with this victory marking their third consecutive win. Shields' impressive performance against Dubai, where he not only scored 9 points but also secured 3 rebounds and provided 1 assist, was instrumental in his team's success on the court, solidifying his position as a champion player. Throughout this season, Shields has maintained an average of 7.5 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 1.3 assists per game over the course of four games. His consistent contributions on the court demonstrate his skills, determination, and value as a key player for Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul.
#5. Japanese champion Keisei Tominaga, a 6'2'' guard who is 25 years old and graduated from Nebraska in 2024, showcased his skills last Saturday in the Japanese B.Premier League. Playing for Levanga Hokkaido Sapporo, he led his team to a thrilling 108-105 victory over the eighth-ranked 89ers with a remarkable 36-point performance. Tominaga's contribution of 6 rebounds and 8 assists, including making all nine of his free throws, earned him the MVP title for the game. Despite being only in his third season of professional basketball, Tominaga's exceptional play has been outstanding. With Levanga Hokkaido Sapporo currently standing fourth in the Eastern Conference with a 3-2 record, Tominaga's individual success has been notable. Averaging 28.4 points per game, he currently leads the league in scoring, along with 4.0 rebounds, 4.0 assists, and 1.6 steals per game over five games. Tominaga's consistent high-level performance has been instrumental in his team's recent success, including their impressive third consecutive victory.
#6. Australian Jack McVeigh, a 6'8'' forward and 30-year-old Cornhuskers alumnus from 2018, currently playing professionally in Australia, displayed his leadership skills by guiding the Cairns Taipans to a resounding 107-95 victory over the closely-ranked United in the Australian National Basketball League last Saturday. In an impressive performance, McVeigh showcased his versatility on the court, scoring 20 points, tallying 4 assists, and making 3 steals, while maintaining a perfect record from the free-throw line, sinking all five of his attempts in 37 minutes of play. His standout contribution against Melbourne Utd included not only his scoring prowess with 20 points but also his well-rounded game, as he secured 3 rebounds and facilitated 4 assists, ultimately leading his team to a crucial victory. McVeigh's exceptional performance underscored his status as a true champion, demonstrating his pivotal role in securing the win and highlighting his undeniable talent on the court. Throughout the season, McVeigh has maintained impressive individual statistics, averaging 16.0 points per game, along with 2.7 rebounds, 3.5 assists, and 1.5 steals (ranking as the third best in the league) over six games. His consistent high-level play has solidified his reputation as a top player in the league, further establishing him as a formidable force and a standout finalist.
#7. Experienced champion Caleb Walker, a 6'4'' guard who is 36 years old and graduated from Nebraska in 2012, showcased his skills during Pistoia's recent game against Torino. Despite Walker's strong performance, where he scored 15 points, grabbed 4 rebounds, and provided 2 assists in 28 minutes of play, Pistoia ultimately fell short to the higher-ranked (#13) Torino, losing 77-84 at home. Throughout the season, Walker has maintained good statistics, averaging 11.0 points per game, 3.5 rebounds per game, 2.5 assists per game, and 1.5 steals per game in the two games played so far. As a finalist, Walker continues to be a key player for Pistoia, contributing both on the scoreboard and in other aspects of the game.
#8. Isaiah Roby, a 6'8'' forward and 28-year-old Cornhuskers alumnus from 2019, currently plays professionally in Italy. Despite his efforts, he was not able to help Itelyum Varese secure a victory against UCAM. In the game, Roby emerged as the second-highest scorer for his team with 9 points and also showcased his defensive prowess by recording 3 steals in 28 minutes of play. This match marked his debut for Itelyum Varese this season, though the team suffered a significant defeat, losing by 27 points with a final score of 85-58. In a subsequent game against Murcia, Roby displayed an impressive performance by contributing 9 points, 2 rebounds, and 1 assist. However, despite his solid contributions, his team was unable to secure a win.
#9. James Palmer Jr., a 6'6'' small forward who graduated from Nebraska in 2019 and received the USBWA All-District VI Team award that same year, is currently playing professionally in Japan for Osaka Evessa. In their recent game against the SeaHorses, despite Palmer Jr.'s impressive performance, Osaka Evessa, who is currently in 12th place in the Western Conference, suffered a heavy defeat with a score of 76-57 on the road. Palmer Jr. stood out as the top scorer of the game, contributing 17 points and 8 assists in 35 minutes of play. However, his efforts were not enough to secure a victory for his team. Despite his remarkable individual performance, Osaka Evessa could not overcome the higher-ranked SeaHorses, who are positioned at #5 in the conference standings. Throughout the season, Palmer Jr. has been showcasing strong statistics, averaging 17.8 points, 4.6 rebounds, 6.4 assists, and 1.4 steals per game in the five games played so far. Although his team has faced challenges, Palmer Jr. continues to demonstrate his skills and contribute significantly on the court as a key player for Osaka Evessa.
#10. Jamaican Sek Henry, a 6'5'' guard and 39-year-old former Cornhuskers alumnus from 2010, showcased his talent as a professional player in Chile by playing a pivotal role in Los Leones' recent victory over the fourth-ranked Ancud with a score of 85-75 in the Chilean Liga Nacional de Basquetbol last Wednesday. Henry's impressive performance included scoring 13 points, grabbing 6 rebounds, and dishing out 4 assists in just 31 minutes of play. His remarkable display on the court against Ancud not only highlighted his skills but also proved crucial in leading his team to victory. Henry's consistent contributions demonstrate his capabilities as a champion player, making him a key asset to his team. Throughout this season, Henry has maintained solid statistics, averaging 12.4 points, 3.8 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and 1.3 steals per game across eight games. Additionally, it is worth noting that Henry is a naturalized American, further adding to his diverse background and experience in the world of basketball.
Other former University of Nebraska players, who play in pro basketball:
Bryce McGowens (6'6''-G-2002, played in 2021-22) plays for New Orleans Pelicans in the NBA
Tai Webster (6'4''-G-1995, played in 2013-17) signed for Limoges CSP Elite in French Betclic ELITE ProA
Dalano Banton (6'8''-F-1999, played in 2019-19) signed for Shandong Heroes in Chinese CBA
Jorge Bryan Diaz (6'11''-C-1989, played in 2022-25) plays for Capitanes de Arecibo in Puerto Rican BSN
Shamiel Stevenson (6'6''-SG-1998, played in 2019-19) played for Slovan in Slovakian Tipos SBL
Duby Okeke (6'8''-C-1994, played in 2017-18) plays for Cimarrones del Choco in Colombian LBP
Lat Mayen (6'9''-F-1998, played in 2020-22) signed for Brisbane Bullets in Australian NBL
Derrick Walker (6'9''-F-1997, played in 2019-23) signed for M.Kiryat Gat in Israeli National League
Braxton Meah (7'1''-C, played in 2024-25) played for South Bay Lakers in the NBA G League
Rollie Worster (6'4''-G-2000, played in 2024-25) signed for Spartak Pleven in Bulgarian NBL
Juwan Gary (6'6''-F-2001, played in 2022-25) signed for Elan Bearnais Pau-Lacq-Orthez in French Betclic ELITE ProA
Evan Taylor (6'5''-G-1996, played in 2016-18) played for Nuernberg Falcons BC in German ProA
Jared Garcia (6'8''-F-2001, played in 2025-26) signed for Lucenec in Slovakian Tipos SBL
Jamarques Lawrence (6'3''-G-2003, played in 2022-24) signed for NKA Pecs in Hungarian A Division
Matej Kavas (6'7''-G/F-1996, played in 2019-20) played for IR Reykjavik in Icelandic Subway League
Thorir Thorbjarnarson (6'6''-G-1998, played in 2017-21) plays for KR Reykjavik in Icelandic Subway League
Emmanuel Bandoumel (6'4''-G-1998, played in 2022-23) signed for Uni Baskets Muenster in German ProB
Terran Petteway (6'6''-F-1992, played in 2012-12) played for AEO Proteas Voulas in Greek Elite League
Rienk Mast (6'10''-F/C-2001, played in 2023-26) played for Indiana Pacers in the NBA Summer League
Kobe Webster (6'0''-PG, played in 2020-22) signed for Caja 87 in Spanish Primera FEB
Brice Williams (6'7''-G-2001, played in 2023-25) played for Detroit Pistons in the NBA Summer League
Sam Hoiberg (6'0''-PG-2003, played in 2021-26) played for Phoenix Suns in the NBA Summer League
Josiah Allick (6'8''-C-2001, played in 2023-24) played for Charlotte Hornets in the NBA Summer League
Trey McGowens (6'4''-G-2000, played in 2020-22) plays for Winnipeg Sea Bears in CEBL
Notice: The list above includes only some of alumni playing currently in pro basketball. Check complete list of University of Nebraska basketball alumni.
|
|
|
Ex-Players
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
