

Courtesy of Eurobasket LLC Every week we bring you a list of the top former Coyotes players who continue their career in pro basketball.
Especially interesting is good performance of Kruz Perrott-Hunt (20 points), Tyler Peterson (4 points), and James Hunter (8 points).
#1. In the recent game, the talented New Zealand basketball player Kruz Perrott-Hunt, standing at 6'3'' and a guard at 25 years old, showcased his skills for Nelson Giants. Despite his remarkable performance, where he scored 20 points, grabbed 5 rebounds, and provided 3 assists in 29 minutes, the Giants faced a tough 93-74 loss against the Rams on the road. This defeat marked the fifth consecutive loss for the Giants. Perrott-Hunt has been a standout player this season, maintaining impressive averages of 21.2 points, 5.1 rebounds, 4.0 assists, and 1.3 steals per game over the nine games he has played. Despite his individual success, he couldn't lift his team to victory in the recent game against the Rams, who are currently ranked second in the league. The Giants' struggle to secure wins continues, emphasizing the importance of teamwork and collective effort in achieving success in basketball.
#2. Tyler Peterson, a 6'4'' guard and 28-year-old Coyotes alumnus from 2020, currently playing professionally in Hungary, made a significant contribution to Falco-Vulcano Energia KC Szombathely's impressive victory over the fifth-ranked Szolnok, with a final score of 113-82 in the Hungarian Nemzeti Bajnoksag I/A during Wednesday night's game. Despite scoring only 4 points in 10 minutes of play, Peterson's performance was crucial in securing the win for his team. Falco-Vulcano Energia KC Szombathely, with a current record of 19-7, holds the sixth position in the Play-Off group standings. In the game against Szolnok, Peterson not only scored 4 points but also provided 2 assists, playing a key role in his team's success and ultimately helping them emerge as the champion. Throughout this year, Peterson has maintained an average of 6.6 points per game, along with 1.8 rebounds and 2.5 assists in the 17 games he has played so far.
#3. Experienced New Zealand player, James Hunter, a towering 6'10'' center at 34 years old, who graduated from South Dakota in 2015 and currently plays professionally in Australia, played a crucial role in the Sutherland Sharks' dominant win over the 15th-ranked Panthers by a score of 102-80 in the Australian NBL One, the second division league, during Sunday night's game. Hunter showcased his skills by contributing 8 points, securing 8 rebounds, and blocking 2 shots in just 16 minutes of play. The Sutherland Sharks, currently holding the tenth position in the East group with a 5-5 record, benefited greatly from Hunter's performance against the Penrith Panthers. His solid 8-point, 8-rebound display was instrumental in leading his team to a convincing victory. This outstanding showing further cements his reputation as a champion on the court. Throughout this season, Hunter has maintained an average of 5.1 points per game and 3.2 rebounds per game across 10 appearances. His consistent contributions have been invaluable to the Sutherland Sharks as they strive for success in the league.
#4. In a recent game in the Dominican Republic Liga Nacional de Baloncesto, the 28-year-old forward Rich Polanco, a former Coyotes alumnus, showcased his skills as a champion. Playing for Marineros de Puerto Plata, he contributed to a significant 86-82 victory over the third-ranked Metros. Despite scoring just 3 points and grabbing 1 rebound in 15 minutes of play, Polanco's presence on the court proved crucial in securing the win for his team. This matchup was a highly anticipated one between two top 3 ranked teams in group Places 7-9, with Marineros de Puerto Plata currently holding the third position with an 8-8 record. The Regular Season has already concluded, and Polanco's performance highlights his impact as a finalist. Throughout the season, he has demonstrated his skills, averaging 6.5 points and 4.1 rebounds per game in 16 appearances.
#5. In a thrilling match on Saturday night, the 26-year-old Montenegrin champion Nikola Zizic, a 6'11'' forward who graduated from South Dakota in 2022 and now plays professionally in Spain, showcased his talent by contributing significantly to Sant Antoni's victory over the second-ranked team, Caja 87, with a final score of 71-56 in the Spanish Segunda FEB league (third division). Zizic put up an impressive performance, scoring 8 points and grabbing 6 rebounds in just 22 minutes of play. This standout display was pivotal in Sant Antoni's triumph over Caja 87, solidifying Zizic's position as a key player in the game and ultimately leading his team to success as the champion. The game, considered the highlight of the round, featured two top 3 ranked teams in group East, with Sant Antoni Ibiza holding the third position with a record of 19-7. This victory marked Sant Antoni's third consecutive win, showcasing their strong form with Zizic making significant contributions throughout. This season, in his first year with the team, Zizic has been maintaining an average of 7.4 points per game and 5.2 rebounds per game across 31 games, further establishing himself as a valuable asset to Sant Antoni as they continue their journey in the league.
#6. In a recent game in the Dominican Republic Liga Nacional de Baloncesto, Oliver Ferreira, a 29-year-old guard standing at 6'3'' and an alumnus of Coyotes from 2019, played a vital role in helping Heroes secure a victory against the top-ranked team, Leones, with a final score of 120-111. Despite playing only 14 minutes, Ferreira managed to contribute significantly by scoring 8 points, grabbing 2 rebounds, and providing 2 assists. His impressive performance on the court showcased his skills and determination, ultimately leading his team to triumph. With his impactful play, Ferreira demonstrated his capabilities and truly embodied the spirit of a champion. Throughout the current season, he has maintained an average of 3.7 points per game across 16 games.
Other former University of South Dakota players, who play in pro basketball:
Stanley Umude (6'6''-G-1999, played in 2017-21) plays for San Antonio Spurs in the NBA
Tasos Kamateros (6'8''-F-2000, played in 2019-23) plays for Lavrio in Greek Elite League
Felix Brostrom (6'8''-F-2003, played in 2022-24) plays for BC Lulea in Swedish Basketligan
Mayuom Buom (6'10''-F-2001, played in 2023-25) plays for Cair 2030 in North Macedonian Super League
Lahat Thioune (6'10''-F-1999, played in 2023-24) plays for JCA in Ivorian National 1
Mihai-Nicolae Carcoana (6'11''-F-2002, played in 2022-23) plays for Targu Jiu in Romanian Liga Nationala
Jay Harvey (6'9''-F-1996, played in 2018-19) plays for Fieri in Albanian Superliga
AJ Plitzuweit (6'2''-G-1999, played in 2023-24) plays for LBC Cocinas in Spanish Segunda FEB
Notice: The list above includes only some of alumni playing currently in pro basketball. Check complete list of University of South Dakota basketball alumni.
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Ex-Players
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