Courtesy of Eurobasket LLC We bring you last week's top former Commodores players who are currently playing in pro basketball.
Especially interesting is good performance of Wade Baldwin IV (14 points), Simi Shittu (25 points), and John Jenkins (17 points).
#1. Wade Baldwin IV, a 6'4'' point guard who graduated from Vanderbilt in 2016 and received the All-SEC Second Team award that year, currently plays professionally in Turkey. In a recent Turkish ING Basketbol Super Ligi match on Wednesday night, Baldwin IV showcased his skills by leading Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul to a thrilling 73-72 victory over the closely-ranked Efes (20-10) in a highly anticipated derby game. During the game, Baldwin IV contributed significantly to his team's success by scoring 14 points, securing 2 rebounds, and distributing 4 assists in just 28 minutes of play. This performance was crucial in the closely contested matchup between two top 4 ranked teams, with Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul (25-5) currently holding the top spot in the league standings. Baldwin IV's impressive season statistics further highlight his impact on the court, averaging 10.9 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 4.9 assists per game in the 24 games he has played so far. His stellar play against Anadolu Efes not only contributed to the team's victory but also solidified his position as the champion of the game, showcasing his skills and leadership as a top player in the league.
#2. Canadian Simi Shittu, a 26-year-old champion and Commodores alumnus from 2019, currently playing professionally in Lebanon, showcased his talent in the recent game for Sagesse (18-4) despite their 86-94 loss to Al Riyadi. Shittu, standing at 6'10'', delivered an impressive double-double performance, scoring 25 points and securing 23 rebounds in his 40 minutes on the court. This defeat marked Sagesse's first loss after a streak of eight consecutive victories, making each remaining game crucial as they approach the end of the Regular Season. This season marks Shittu's debut with the team, and his remarkable performance against Al Riyadi, where he earned the 20+ Rebound badge from eurobasket.com, showcased his exceptional skills. Individually, Shittu has had a stellar year, boasting high statistics with an average of 23.3 points per game, 13.7 rebounds per game, and 2.0 steals per game across three games.
#3. Experienced 6'4'' guard John Jenkins, a 35-year-old Vanderbilt graduate from 2012, currently playing professionally in Puerto Rico, recently showcased his skills for Santeros de Aguada. In their latest game against the Criollos, despite Jenkins' stellar performance, the third-placed Aguada (11-12) fell short with a score of 88-101 on the road. Jenkins contributed significantly with 17 points in 34 minutes of play. In a previous game against Caguas, Jenkins displayed his talent by scoring 17 points, grabbing 3 rebounds, and providing 1 assist. Despite his strong individual performance, his team was unable to secure the win. Throughout the season, Jenkins has maintained solid statistics, averaging 14.7 points per game and 2.3 rebounds per game across three games. His valuable contributions have been crucial for Santeros de Aguada as they strive towards success in the league.
#4. In the recent game, Clevon Brown, a 27-year-old former Golden Panthers alum from 2022, who previously played for Vanderbilt between 2016 and 2021, was unable to lead Opava to a victory. Despite his strong performance, Opava, currently in fifth place with an 18-18 record, narrowly lost 99-97 to the third-ranked Brno on the road in the Places 1-8 group. Brown contributed 11 points, 7 rebounds, and 2 assists in just 20 minutes of play, showcasing his skills on the court. Throughout the season, Brown has maintained impressive statistics, averaging 11.9 points, 7.1 rebounds, 1.1 assists, and 1.6 blocks per game, which ranks him as the second-best shot-blocker in the league. His consistent performance highlights his value to the team, despite the recent loss to Brno.
#5. Jordan Wright, a 6'6'' guard/forward who is 25 years old and graduated from LSU in 2024, has been making waves in the Israeli Winner League while playing for Hapoel Holon. Despite only scoring 3 points and grabbing 6 rebounds in 22 minutes, he played a crucial role in his team's 99-84 victory over the fourth-ranked Bnei Hertzeliya. This win marked Hapoel Holon's third consecutive victory, propelling them to fifth place in the Places 1-8 group. Wright's impressive performance showcased his skills on the court, as he not only contributed offensively but also made an impact defensively with his rebounding. This season marks his first with the team, and he has been maintaining solid statistics, averaging 11.7 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 1.4 assists per game in seven appearances. As a key player for Hapoel Holon, Wright's abilities have been instrumental in the team's recent success, positioning them well in the league standings. His consistent contributions demonstrate his value as a champion in the making.
#6. Luke Kornet, a 30-year-old 7'2'' center/forward and Vanderbilt University alumni from the class of 2017, is currently a professional basketball player in the NBA. Known for his impressive academic and athletic achievements, Kornet received the All-SEC Scholar-Athlete of the Year award during his time at Vanderbilt. Recently, he showcased his skills on the court for the San Antonio Spurs, aiding them in a crucial victory against the Oklahoma City Thunder with a final score of 111-103. Despite only scoring 2 points and securing 4 rebounds during his 7 minutes of play, Kornet's contributions were instrumental in his team's success against the OKC Thunder. His performance highlighted his value as a player and demonstrated his ability to make an impact in critical moments of the game. Throughout the current season, Kornet has maintained an average of 6.1 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 1.6 assists per game across 88 games, further solidifying his position as a key player for his team.
Other former Vanderbilt University players, who play in pro basketball:
Saben Lee (6'2''-G-1999, played in 2017-23) plays for Anadolu Efes Istanbul in Turkish BSL
Ezra Manjon (6'0''-PG-2000, played in 2022-24) plays for Tortona in Italian Serie A
Jeff Roberson (6'6''-PF-1996, played in 2014-18) played for SIG Strasbourg in French Betclic ELITE ProA few monts ago
Darius Garland (6'2''-G-2000, played in 2018-19) plays for Los Angeles Clippers in the NBA
Aaron Nesmith (6'6''-G/F-1999, played in 2018-20) plays for Indiana Pacers in the NBA
Scotty Pippen Jr. (6'1''-G-2000, played in 2019-22) plays for Memphis Grizzlies in the NBA
Chris Manon (6'5''-G-2001, played in 2024-25) plays for Los Angeles Lakers in the NBA
Jeffery Taylor (6'7''-SF-1989, played in 2007-12) plays for Cluj Napoca in Romanian Liga Nationala
Quentin Millora-Brown (6'10''-F-2000, played in 2019-23) plays for Chiba Jets in Japanese B1 League
Tasos Kamateros (6'8''-F-2000, played in 2023-24) plays for Lavrio in Greek Elite League
Damian Jones (6'11''-C-1995, played in 2013-16) plays for Zhejiang Golden Bulls in Chinese CBA
A.J. Hoggard (6'4''-G-2000, played in 2024-25) plays for Raptors 905 Mississauga in the NBA G League
Evan Taylor (6'6''-G/F-2001, played in 2023-24) plays for Groningen in Dutch DBL
Rodney Chatman (6'3''-G-1998, played in 2021-22) plays for B.Braun Sheffield Sharks in British SLB
Tyrin Lawrence (6'4''-G, played in 2020-24) plays for Surrey 89ers in British SLB
Liam Robbins (7'0''-F-1999) plays for Rip City Remix in the NBA G League
Notice: The list above includes only some of alumni playing currently in pro basketball. Check complete list of Vanderbilt University basketball alumni.
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Ex-Players
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