Courtesy of Eurobasket LLC Here is the weekly review of the top performing Bulldogs alumni, who are currently playing in pro basketball.
#1. LJ Thorpe, a 6'5'' guard who graduated from UNC Asheville in 2022 after helping them win the CBI Championship Quarterfinals, is currently playing professionally in Germany. Although he couldn't prevent Veolia Towers Hamburg (13-20) from a significant loss in their recent game against the higher-ranked s Oliver Baskets (#5) where they were defeated 90-73 on the road, Thorpe displayed a solid performance by contributing 16 points and 4 rebounds in just 25 minutes of play. Despite his efforts, Hamburg suffered their third consecutive loss. As Veolia Towers Hamburg approaches their final game of the Regular Season, Thorpe's performance will be crucial for the team. This marks his first season with the team, and he has shown promise with notable statistics this year, averaging 11.6 points, 2.5 rebounds, and 4.3 assists per game over the course of 33 games. In a recent matchup against Wuerzburg, Thorpe once again demonstrated his skills by scoring 16 points, securing 4 rebounds, and providing 2 assists, even though his team ultimately faced defeat.
#2. Tajion Jones, a 6'5'' guard and 27-year-old Bulldogs alum from 2023, who helped them secure the Big South Conference Regular Season Champion title that year, is currently playing professionally in Italy. Despite his notable performance, Jones was unable to assist Brindisi (22-15) in their recent game against the higher-ranked (#4) Verona, which resulted in a 71-86 loss for Brindisi on the road. Even in the face of defeat, Jones stood out as the top scorer for Brindisi, contributing 15 points and grabbing 5 rebounds in just 26 minutes of play. This impressive display is particularly noteworthy considering that Jones is only in his third season in professional basketball. Unfortunately, this loss marked Brindisi's fourth consecutive defeat in a row. This season marks Jones' first year with the team, and in the four games he has played so far, he has averaged 6.3 points per game and 2.8 rebounds per game. Despite the challenging circumstances, Jones continues to showcase his skills on the court as he strives to make a significant impact for his team.
#3. Drew Pember, a 25-year-old forward/center standing at 6'11'' and a graduate of UNC Asheville in 2024, has been making waves in the Taiwanese TPBL as a professional player for the Hsinchu Lioneers. Recently, he showcased his talent by leading his team to a narrow 102-99 victory over Aquas, a team with a 9-27 record, with a standout performance. Pember's exceptional skills were on full display as he secured a double-double with 24 points, 9 rebounds, and 11 assists in just 33 minutes of play, earning him the MVP title for the game. It is only his second season in professional basketball, yet he continues to impress with his contributions to the team. Despite it being Pember's first year with the Hsinchu Lioneers, he has been instrumental in their success, helping them secure a strong third-place position in the league with a record of 22-14. With four consecutive victories under their belt, every game is now crucial as they approach the end of the Regular Season. Pember's impact on the court has been undeniable, evident in his impressive season averages of 18.5 points, 11.3 rebounds, 2.9 assists, 1.1 blocks, and 1.3 steals per game across 35 games. His remarkable performance not only highlights his individual success but also solidifies his position as a champion among his peers.
Other former University of North Carolina - Asheville players, who play in pro basketball:
Josh Banks (6'5''-G-2001, played in 2023-25) plays for Geraldton Buccaneers in Australian NBL One
Greg Gantt Jr. (6'8''-F, played in 2023-25) played for Lucenec in Slovakian Tipos SBL few monts ago
David Hermes (6'10''-F-2001, played in 2025-26) plays for Al Ittihad in Syrian SBL
Caleb Burgess (6'3''-G-2000, played in 2022-24) played for NTD in Azerbaijani ABL last year
Alex Caldwell (6'0''-PG-1999, played in 2022-23) plays for Sheki in Azerbaijani ABL
Notice: The list above includes only some of alumni playing currently in pro basketball. Check complete list of University of North Carolina - Asheville basketball alumni.
LJ Thorpe is last week best Bulldogs alumni, who plays professional basketball (Photo: @utenosjuventus)
Ex-Players
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