Courtesy of Eurobasket LLC Every week we bring you a list of the top former Volunteers players who continue their career in pro basketball.
#1. Experienced champion Kevin Punter, a 6'4'' guard who is 33 years old and graduated from Tennessee in 2016, is currently playing professionally in Spain. In a recent game, despite his notable performance, he was unable to help FC Barcelona Lassa secure a victory as they were defeated 94-100 by the lower-ranked UCAM on the road. Punter stood out as the top scorer with 18 points in just 23 minutes of play. Although the outcome of the game was not in Barcelona's favor, it is still early in the season, and there is room for improvement and turnarounds in future matches. Punter displayed his skills in the game against Murcia, contributing 18 points, 3 rebounds, and 2 assists, showcasing his value to the team. So far this season, Punter has maintained solid statistics, averaging 14.0 points, 2.5 rebounds, and 2.5 assists per game in the two games he has participated in. It is worth noting that Punter is a naturalized American player, adding an international element to his professional career in Spain.
#2. Canadian Kyle Alexander, a 6'10'' center and 29-year-old Volunteers alumnus from 2019, showcased his skills for PAOK in the Greek Stoiximan Basketball League. In a recent game, he played a crucial role in leading his team to a 3-point victory against the 12th-ranked Mykonos with a score of 88-85. Alexander's impressive performance included scoring 11 points, grabbing 6 rebounds, and blocking 2 shots in just 20 minutes of play. This game marked his debut for PAOK this season, where he made a significant impact on the court. Currently, his team is positioned sixth in the league standings, and Alexander's contributions are proving vital in their quest for success.
#3. Jordan McRae, a 6'6'' forward/guard who graduated from Tennessee in 2014 and received the All-SEC First Team award that year, showcased his talent in the Greek Stoiximan Basketball League. Playing professionally in Greece, McRae recently made a significant impact in Karditsa's triumph over the eighth-ranked Aris with a score of 74-68. In his debut game for Karditsa this season, McRae played for 29 minutes and scored an impressive 17 points. Additionally, he contributed 3 rebounds and 1 assist, demonstrating his versatility on the court. This stellar performance by McRae not only helped secure the victory for his team but also highlighted his skills as a champion. Currently, his team holds the second position in the league standings, with McRae proving to be a crucial player in their pursuit of success.
#4. Finnish player Olivier Nkamhoua, a 6'8'' forward who is 26 years old, is a Wolverines alum from 2024. He previously played for Tennessee between 2019 and 2023 before moving to play professionally in Spain. Nkamhoua currently plays alongside his teammate, the aforementioned Kevin Punter, and they recently competed together in the latest Spanish Liga Endesa game. In the most recent match, Nkamhoua, despite his commendable efforts, could not assist FC Barcelona Lassa in securing a victory. The team suffered a 94-100 defeat against the lower-ranked (#9) UCAM Murcia. Nkamhoua showcased his skills by scoring 14 points in just 22 minutes of play, a notable accomplishment considering he is only in his third season as a professional basketball player. This season marks Nkamhoua's debut with the team. In the game against Murcia, Nkamhoua not only scored 14 points but also contributed with 3 rebounds and 1 assist. Although he put in an impressive performance individually, FC Barcelona Lassa was unable to come out on top in the match. Nkamhoua has maintained solid statistics this season, averaging 12.0 points, 2.5 rebounds, and 1.5 assists per game in the two games he has played so far.
#5. Victor Bailey Jr, a 6'4'' shooting guard who is 28 years old and a graduate of GMU in 2023, previously played in Tennessee from 2019 to 2022, where he notably assisted in their SEC Tournament victory during the 2022 season. Currently, he is playing professionally in Turkey and has been making a significant impact. In a recent game, Bailey Jr led Denizli Basket to a commanding 101-87 victory over the 13th-ranked Tofas. He demonstrated his prowess on the court by scoring 15 points in 29 minutes of play. Despite it being his first season with Denizli Basket, Bailey Jr's contribution has been remarkable, helping the team secure a solid fourth-place position in the league standings. In the game against Tofas, Bailey Jr showcased his talent by not only scoring 15 points but also contributing 3 rebounds and 2 assists. His all-around performance was instrumental in securing the win for Denizli Basket and further establishing his reputation as a champion player. Throughout the season, Bailey Jr has maintained impressive individual statistics, averaging 16.0 points, 2.0 rebounds, and 2.0 assists per game over the course of two games. His consistent performance and skill set have undoubtedly made him a valuable asset to his team and a standout player in the league.
#6. Serbian Uros Plavsic, a 7'0'' center and 27-year-old Volunteers alum from 2023, who currently plays professionally in Romania, emerged as a key player in Cluj Napoca's recent triumph over league leader BC Vienna with a score of 95-84 in the AdmiralBet ABA League last Saturday. In this game, he showcased his talent by scoring 15 points, grabbing 6 rebounds, and providing 5 assists in just 28 minutes of play. This remarkable performance marked his debut game for Cluj Napoca this season. Plavsic's exceptional contributions were vital in Cluj Napoca's victory over Vienna, where he not only demonstrated his scoring ability but also displayed his prowess in rebounding and facilitating his teammates. His impressive stat line of 15 points, 6 rebounds, and 5 assists underscored his crucial role in securing the win for his team. Plavsic's stellar performance on the court truly highlighted his skills and played a pivotal role in leading his team to triumph as the champion.
#7. Haitian basketball champion Yves Pons, a 6'6'' forward aged 27, who graduated from Tennessee in 2021 and was a Naismith Defensive Player of the Year Finalist that same year, is currently playing professionally in France. In a recent match, he played a pivotal role in helping LDLC ASVEL Lyon-Villeurbanne Basket secure a 70-65 victory against the 14th-ranked Gravelines-Dunkerque in the French Betclic ELITE league this past Sunday. Pons contributed 5 points and 1 rebound in just 14 minutes of play, showcasing his skills and determination on the court. His consistent performance this season, averaging 4.5 points per game and 2.0 rebounds per game in two matches, highlights his value to the team. Furthermore, it is noteworthy that Pons holds dual citizenship of both America and Haiti, allowing him to potentially represent Haiti in basketball competitions as a domestic player. Pons' recent success on the court not only demonstrates his talent but also reinforces his reputation as a true champion in the sport.
#8. Puerto Rican champion Zakai Zeigler, a 5'9'' point guard and 24-year-old Volunteers alum from 2025, currently plays professionally in Germany. In a recent game, despite his strong efforts, Zeigler could not help Veolia Towers Hamburg (1-3) secure a victory. The team suffered a close 84-91 loss to the higher-ranked (#11) Seawolves in Rostock. During the game, Zeigler showcased his skills by contributing 12 points and 6 assists in just 22 minutes of play. His performance was particularly notable as he faced the tough competition from Rostock. Throughout the season, Zeigler has maintained solid statistics, averaging 10.8 points, 2.8 rebounds, 5.3 assists, and 1.3 steals per game across four games. It is worth mentioning that Zeigler, a finalist for the All-SEC Defensive Player of the Year award in 2025, is a naturalized American who continues to impress with his talent and dedication on the court.
#9. Israeli basketball player Ethan Burg, a 24-year-old guard standing at 6'3'' tall, who graduated from Tennessee in 2026, showcased his skills on the court last Tuesday. Playing professionally in Israel, Burg made a significant contribution to Hapoel Bank Yahav Jerusalem's triumph over the seventh-ranked Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana with a final score of 75-64 in the BKT Eurocup. Despite scoring only 2 points in 10 minutes of play, Burg's performance was crucial in securing the victory for his team. With 2 points and 2 assists against Cedevita Ol, Burg played a pivotal role in helping his team emerge as the champion of the game. So far this year, he maintains an average of 1.0 points per game and 2.0 assists per game in two games.
Other former University of Tennessee players, who play in pro basketball:
Jordan Bowden (6'6''-G-1997, played in 2016-20) played for Rostock Seawolves in German BBL
Josh Richardson (6'5''-G-1993, played in 2011-15) played for Casademont Zaragoza in Spanish Liga Endesa
Felix Okpara (6'11''-F-2004, played in 2024-26) signed for Washington Wizards in the NBA
Dalton Knecht (6'6''-G-2001, played in 2023-24) plays for Los Angeles Lakers in the NBA
Grant Williams (6'6''-F-1998, played in 2016-19) plays for Charlotte Hornets in the NBA
Tobias Harris (6'9''-F-1992, played in 2010-11) signed for San Antonio Spurs in the NBA
Julian Phillips (6'8''-F-2003, played in 2024-26) signed for Houston Rockets in the NBA
Nate Ament (6'9''-F-2006, played in 2025-26) signed for Milwaukee Bucks in the NBA
Jahmai Mashack (6'4''-G-2002, played in 2021-25) signed for Memphis Grizzlies in the NBA
Chaz Lanier (6'4''-G-2001, played in 2024-25) signed for Detroit Pistons in the NBA
Ja'Kobi Gillespie (6'1''-PG-2004, played in 2025-26) signed for San Antonio Spurs in the NBA
Jordan Gainey (6'3''-G-2002, played in 2023-25) signed for Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana in Slovenian Liga OTP banka
Derek Reese (6'8''-F-1993, played in 2012-16) plays for Piratas de Quebradillas in Puerto Rican BSN
Lamonte Turner (6'2''-G-1997, played in 2015-15) played for BC Lulea in Swedish Basketligan
Admiral Schofield (6'6''-F-1997, played in 2015-19) plays for Santeros de Aguada in Puerto Rican BSN
Josiah-Jordan James (6'6''-SF-2000, played in 2019-24) signed for New Zealand Breakers in Australian NBL
Igor Milicic Jr. (6'10''-F-2002, played in 2024-25) signed for Westchester Knicks in the NBA G League
Jordan Bone (6'3''-PG-1997, played in 2016-19) played for Alicante in Spanish Primera FEB
Devon Chism (6'9''-PF-1987, played in 2006-10) signed for Al Ittihad in Saudi Arabian SBL
Jonas Aidoo (6'11''-F-2002, played in 2021-24) played for Utah Jazz in the NBA Summer League
Kennedy Chandler (6'1''-PG-2002, played in 2021-22) played for Chicago Bulls in the NBA Summer League
Keon Johnson (6'5''-G-2002, played in 2020-21) played for Orlando Magic in the NBA Summer League
Darlinstone Dubar (6'8''-G-2001, played in 2024-25) plays for Indian Railways in Indian INBL
Jaden Springer (6'4''-SG-2002, played in 2020-21) played for Dallas Mavericks in the NBA Summer League
Tyreke Key (6'2''-SG-1998, played in 2022-23) played for Toronto Raptors in the NBA Summer League
Santiago Vescovi (6'3''-G-2001, played in 2019-24) played for Penarol in Uruguayan LUB
Notice: The list above includes only some of alumni playing currently in pro basketball. Check complete list of University of Tennessee basketball alumni.
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Ex-Players
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