Courtesy of Eurobasket LLC Every week we bring you a list of the top former Mocs players who continue their career in pro basketball.
#1. Trey Bonham, a 24-year-old 6'0'' point guard who graduated from Chattanooga in 2025, is currently playing professionally in the Czech Republic. He recently led his team, BK KVIS Pardubice, to a remarkable victory over NH Ostrava, the fifth-ranked team in the Czech Republic Maxa NBL, with a score of 110-98. Bonham's exceptional performance earned him the MVP title of the game, during which he scored an impressive 26 points, made 7 assists, and secured 3 steals within just 25 minutes of play. This outstanding display of talent is particularly noteworthy considering that Bonham is only in his second season of professional basketball. BK KVIS Pardubice, currently boasting a perfect 5-0 record, holds the top spot in the league standings. Bonham's notable contributions have been instrumental in his team's success, with his consistent high-level performance reflecting in his impressive season averages of 21.6 points per game (ranking him third in the league), 4.4 rebounds per game, 5.4 assists per game, and 2.6 steals per game (ranking him second in the league) over the course of the five games played so far. While it is still early in the season and uncertainties remain, Bonham's prowess on the court has undoubtedly positioned him as a standout player in the league. His skills and leadership have been pivotal in guiding his team to victory, showcasing his potential to continue excelling as a champion player in the Czech Republic Maxa NBL.
#2. Frank Champion, a 24-year-old former Mocs alumni from 2022 standing at 6'7'' and currently playing professionally in Germany, played a crucial role in MLP Academics Heidelberg's recent triumph over the 11th-ranked OrangeAcademy with a score of 84-68 in the German BARMER 2. Basketball Bundesliga ProA. In this game, he showcased his skills by scoring 13 points, securing 6 rebounds, and providing 6 assists in just 27 minutes on the court. MLP Academics Heidelberg, now with a record of 3-0, holds the second position in the league standings, having won all three of their games in the Regular Season. Champion's exceptional performance against OrangeAcademy, where he not only contributed significantly in scoring, rebounding, and assisting but also played a pivotal role in leading his team to victory, undoubtedly earned him the title of the champion of the game. His current season statistics reflect his strong performance, averaging 13.0 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 3.7 assists per game in the three matches played so far.
#3. Angolan Silvio de Sousa, a 6'9'' center/forward aged 28, graduated from Chattanooga in 2022 after helping them secure the SoCon Regular Season Champion title that year. Currently playing professionally in Greece, de Sousa recently made his debut for Maroussi in a tough match against AEK. Despite his notable performance, where he scored 14 points and grabbed 7 rebounds in just 20 minutes, Maroussi suffered a heavy defeat, losing 91-70 to AEK. This game marked de Sousa's first appearance for Maroussi this season, showcasing his skills as a strong contender in the league.
#4. Jikari Johnson, a 6'4'' guard and Mocs alumnus from 2026, currently playing professionally in Poland, played a significant role in SKS Starogard Gdanski's recent victory against the closely-ranked Kotwica with a score of 102-89 in the Polish 1 Liga (second division) this past Saturday. In the game, Johnson, a standout champion player, scored 9 points and blocked 2 shots in just 22 minutes of play. His performance on the court was crucial in securing the win for his team and demonstrated his prowess as a finalist player. Furthermore, Johnson continued to showcase his skills in the following game against Kolobrzeg, where he not only scored an impressive 9 points but also provided 2 assists, aiding his team in securing another victory. His consistent contributions and remarkable talent highlight why he is recognized as a champion player in the league. This season, Johnson has maintained an average of 6.0 points, 2.3 rebounds, 2.3 assists, and 2.3 steals per game across three games, further solidifying his reputation as a top-tier player and a finalist contender.
#5. Czech Republic's Jan Zidek, a 26-year-old 6'9'' forward who graduated from Chattanooga in 2024, has been making waves in the professional basketball scene in Spain. Recently, he proved to be a crucial player for Ourense in their triumph over the eighth-ranked Gipuzkoa, with a final score of 90-86 in the Spanish Primera FEB league. Zidek's remarkable performance included scoring 17 points, achieving a perfect 8-for-8 from the free-throw line, all in just 17 minutes of play. This outstanding display of skill is even more impressive considering it is only his third season in professional basketball. Ourense Baloncesto, currently placed fourth in the league with a 2-0 record, can attribute much of their success to Zidek's contributions this season. Despite it being his first year with the team, Zidek has quickly established himself as a key player. His noteworthy performance against Gipuzkoa, where he not only scored 17 points but also contributed 1 rebound and 1 assist, was instrumental in leading his team to victory. Zidek's overall statistics for the season, averaging 10.5 points per game and 1.5 assists per game in two appearances, further underscore his impact on the court. His consistent performance and impressive skill set highlight him as a champion player to watch in the league.
#6. French Thomas Smallwood, a towering 7'0'' center and 31-year-old former Mocs alumnus from 2019, showcased his skills in Spain's professional league by leading Prat to a convincing 81-63 victory over the tenth-ranked Clavijo in the Spanish Segunda FEB (third division) last Sunday. Smallwood, making his debut for Prat this season, made an immediate impact by contributing 11 points in just 14 minutes of play. His noteworthy performance included not only scoring but also grabbing 1 rebound and dishing out 1 assist against Clavijo. Smallwood's exceptional display on the court not only secured the win for his team but also highlighted his potential as a champion.
#7. Matt Ryan, a 6'7'' guard/forward who graduated from Chattanooga in 2020 and earned an All-SoCon Second Team award that year, currently plays professionally in Italy. In a recent match against Virtus Bologna, despite his efforts, Ryan could not help Maxima Roma secure a victory. The game on Sunday was not one of his standout performances, as he only managed to score 2 points in 10 minutes of play. Unfortunately, his team ended up losing 89-98 to Virtus Bologna. Despite his limited scoring output in the game, Ryan did contribute 1 rebound alongside his 2 points. So far this season, he is averaging 2.0 points per game over two games played.
#8. Makai Richards, a 24-year-old former Mocs alumni from 2026, stands tall at 6'10'' and currently plays professionally in Austria for UBSC Raiffeisen Graz. In a recent game against Lions in the Austrian Win2Day Basketball Superliga, Richards, known for his prowess as a center, showcased his skills by scoring 6 points and grabbing 8 rebounds in 22 minutes of play. Despite his solid performance, his team narrowly lost the game with a score of 85-82. In another matchup against Traiskirchen, Richards once again displayed his talent on the court by contributing 6 points, 8 rebounds, and 1 assist. However, despite his commendable efforts, his team fell short of securing the victory. Throughout this season, Richards has been averaging 4.7 points per game and 4.0 rebounds per game across three games, demonstrating his consistency as a key player for UBSC Raiffeisen Graz. As he continues to make his mark in the Austrian league, Richards remains focused on helping his team achieve success and reach new heights in the competition.
#9. Tyler Millin, a 26-year-old 6'7'' forward who graduated from Chattanooga in 2024 and currently plays professionally in Mexico, put in a commendable effort in his last game despite his team, Freseros Irapuato, suffering a tough loss against the Dorados on the road. With a final score of 105-85 in favor of the higher-ranked Dorados (#6), Millin's performance stood out as he managed to score 15 points and secure 8 rebounds in 35 minutes of play. Despite his strong showing against the Dorados, Millin's team was unable to secure a victory. Throughout the season, he has maintained relatively good statistics, averaging 10.4 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 1.2 assists per game over 16 appearances. It is worth noting that Millin previously participated in the Eurobasket Summer League, which is widely recognized as a premier international summer league in the basketball market.
#10. Spanish champion Ramon Vila, a 6'9'' forward/center and alummi of the Mocs class of 2020, currently plays professionally in Spain. In a recent match, he played a crucial role in Caja 87's triumph over the 12th-ranked Palma BM with a final score of 81-72 in the Spanish Primera FEB (second division) last Friday. Vila's performance was stellar as he scored 9 points, secured 5 rebounds, and delivered 2 assists during his 29 minutes on the court. His outstanding display not only showcased his skills but also exemplified his champion mentality. So far this season, Vila has been averaging 8.5 points, 4.5 rebounds, 2.0 assists, and 1.5 steals per game in two appearances.
Other former University of Tennessee at Chattanooga players, who play in pro basketball:
Jake Stephens (7'0''-C-1999, played in 2023-24) signed for Milwaukee Bucks in the NBA
David Jean-Baptiste (6'5''-G-1998, played in 2016-16) played for Naestved in Danish BasketLigaen
Avery Diggs (6'10''-C-1998, played in 2021-22) signed for Villa S.Martin in Argentinian La Liga Argentina
Stefan Kenic (6'9''-F-1997, played in 2019-21) plays for Neftci in Azerbaijani ABL
Kevin Bridgewaters (5'11''-PG-1984, played in 2006-08) plays for Newfoundland Rogues in the TBL
Mark Tikhonenko (6'10''-F-1998, played in 2020-21) played for Jaen CB in Spanish Tercera FEB
Notice: The list above includes only some of alumni playing currently in pro basketball. Check complete list of University of Tennessee at Chattanooga basketball alumni.
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Ex-Players
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