Courtesy of Eurobasket LLC We bring you last week's top former Cougars players who are currently playing in pro basketball.
#1. In a dominating performance, the experienced Chilean Sebastian Suarez, a 6'4'' small forward aged 35, who graduated from Portland State in 2015 and previously played in Western Nebraska between 2011 and 2013 before turning pro in Chile, showcased his skills by leading Las Animas to a resounding 96-61 victory over the second-ranked Univ. Catolica in the Chilean Liga Nacional de Basquetbol. Suarez, the MVP of the game, contributed significantly with 23 points, 4 rebounds, and 2 assists in just 29 minutes on the court. This game, a clash between two of the top 3 teams in group Places 9-13, saw Club Deportes Las Animas, currently holding a 6-8 record, rise to the top of the standings with their third consecutive win. With only one more game left in the Second Stage, the upcoming match will be crucial for determining their final position. Suarez's exceptional performance throughout the game highlighted his outstanding year, where he has been averaging an impressive 18.1 points, 5.3 rebounds, 2.2 assists, and 1.1 steals per game in the 12 games he has played so far. His leadership and contribution were instrumental in securing the victory for Las Animas, establishing him as a true champion on the court.
#2. In a recent game in the Mexican Liga Nacional de Baloncesto Profesional's second division, the experienced champion Scott Bamforth, a 6'2'' shooting guard and Wildcats alumni from 2013, showcased his skills by leading Fuerza Regia Monterrey to a hard-fought victory against El Calor, one of the league's struggling teams. Despite his age of 37, Bamforth showed that his talent is still sharp, contributing 12 points, 3 rebounds, and an impressive 7 assists in just 23 minutes of play. Fuerza Regia Monterrey, currently standing as the finalist in the league with a record of 18-7, owes much of its success to Bamforth's stellar performance. This recent win marked the team's sixth consecutive triumph, highlighting their strong form heading towards the end of the Regular Season. With only three games remaining, each match becomes increasingly crucial, and Bamforth's consistent high-level play will be vital for his team's playoff aspirations. Individually, Bamforth has been having an exceptional season, averaging 15.7 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 2.3 assists per game across 18 appearances. His impact on the court extends beyond just statistics, as his leadership and skills have propelled Fuerza Regia Monterrey towards the upper echelons of the league standings. As a naturalized American player, Bamforth continues to prove himself as a key asset for his team, demonstrating why he is a champion in the world of basketball.
#3. Czech Republic player Martin Roub, a 29-year-old forward standing at 6'10'' who graduated from Jax State in 2021 and previously played in W. Nebraska from 2017 to 2019, showcased his skills in the recent game for H.Kralove (1-4). Despite his impressive performance, Roub could not prevent his team from losing 78-88 at home to the top-ranked Pardubice. In the match, Roub stood out as the top scorer, contributing 26 points and grabbing 5 rebounds in 28 minutes of play. Unfortunately, this defeat marked H.Kralove's fourth consecutive loss. However, since it is still early in the season, there is room for improvement and surprises. Roub has been having a strong individual season, maintaining high stats with an average of 15.7 points per game and 4.3 rebounds per game over three games. Despite the challenges faced by his team, Roub's performance on the court has been noteworthy, positioning him as a standout player in the league.
#4. Vinnie Shahid, a 5'11'' point guard and 28-year-old Bison alumni from 2020, previously played for W.Nebraska between 2016 and 2018 where he helped them to win the NJCAA D1 District IX Champion title that year. Currently, he is playing professionally in Belgium for Hubo Limburg United. In their recent game against the #3 ranked Kangoeroes, despite Shahid's strong performance, Limburg United suffered a 100-109 defeat on the road. Shahid stood out as the top scorer for his team, tallying 18 points and dishing out 6 assists in 28 minutes of play. This game marked his debut for Hubo Limburg United this season. Additionally, in another match against Mechelen, Shahid showcased his skills by contributing 18 points, 2 rebounds, and 6 assists. However, despite his impressive efforts, his team was unable to secure the victory.
#5. Dru Kuxhausen, a 6'0'' guard who graduated from North Colorado in 2022 and previously played in Western Nebraska between 2018 and 2019, currently showcases his talent as a professional player in Slovakia. In a recent game, despite his noteworthy efforts, Kuxhausen could not lead the Kosice Wolves to victory as they were defeated 104-77 by the Prievidza, the second-ranked team in the league. Kuxhausen displayed his scoring ability by contributing 14 points, making him the second-highest scorer in the game. Additionally, he showcased his playmaking skills with 6 assists and displayed his defensive prowess with 3 steals, all within 32 minutes of play. Although Kuxhausen delivered an impressive performance against the formidable opponent, his team was unable to secure the win. Despite the loss, Kuxhausen's individual statistics for the season are solid, as he is currently averaging 10.0 points, 2.3 rebounds, and 5.0 assists per game over three games.
#6. Spanish Andrew Ramirez, a 29-year-old point guard standing at 5'11'', is a former Hawks alumnus from 2018. He also had stints playing in W. Nebraska between 2015 and 2016 before turning pro in Denmark. In a recent game, Ramirez showcased his skills by contributing 9 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 assists in just 22 minutes of play. Despite his commendable performance, his team suffered a crushing defeat, losing by 24 points with a final score of 90-66 against Naestved. Ramirez's individual stats for the season are impressive, as he currently averages 9.5 points per game, 3.0 rebounds per game, 6.5 assists per game (leading the league in assists), and 2.5 steals per game over the course of two games.
#7. Experienced Mexican player Francisco Cruz, standing at 6'4'' and 37 years old, graduated from Wyoming in 2012 but notably played in W. Nebraska between 2009 and 2010 before embarking on his professional career in Mexico. In a recent game in the Mexican Liga Nacional de Baloncesto Profesional's second division, Cruz led Astros de Jalisco to a convincing 86-67 victory over the closely-ranked Diablos. Notably, he was awarded the MVP title for his outstanding performance during the game. During the match, Cruz showcased his skills by scoring 15 points, securing 2 rebounds, and distributing 6 assists in just 29 minutes of play. His significant contributions played a crucial role in his team's success, highlighting his abilities on the court and reinforcing his reputation as a champion. Throughout the current season, Cruz has maintained solid statistics, averaging 11.7 points, 2.2 rebounds, and 3.3 assists per game across 19 appearances.
Other former Western Nebraska Community College players, who play in pro basketball:
Phil Fayne II (6'9''-C/F-1997, played in 2015-16) played for Orlen Zastal Zielona Gora in Polish OBL
Danilo Glisovic (6'7''-G-2003, played in 2023-24) played for Jagodina in Serbian 2MLS
Djordje Dimitrijevic (6'2''-G-1997, played in 2016-18) signed for Energa Icon Sea Czarni Slupsk in Polish OBL
Daniel Bula-Butupu-Mumbu (6'5''-G-2003, played in 2023-24) plays for Liege in Belgian Pro Basketball League
Jordan Smith (6'1''-G-2000, played in 2019-20) played for Burji in Georgian A League
Biko Johnson (6'2''-G, played in 2021-23) signed for Slavija in Bosnia and Herzegovina Division I
Carl Thorpe (6'7''-F -2001, played in 2021-23) plays for Pinelands in Barbados BABA
Henry Tanksley (6'4''-G-1999, played in 2018-19) plays for O.Mundial in Uruguayan Liga de Ascenso
Ricards Pinne (6'5''-G-1997, played in 2013-17) played for Kandava in Latvian RNBL
DouDou Gueye (6'9''-C-1992, played in 2012-14) played for Ponferrada in Spanish Segunda FEB
Chase Thompson (6'6''-F, played in 2020-21) plays for Caimanes in Colombian LBP
Marlon Sierra (6'7''-F/C-1998, played in 2016-18) plays for Glass City Wranglers in the TBL
Shaheem Speers (6'2''-G, played in 2017-18) played for I Got Money in the MBL
Kalen Williams (6'2''-G, played in 2019-20) plays for Carolina Thunder in the ECBL
Teddy Allen (6'6''-G-1998, played in 2019-20) plays for Winnipeg Sea Bears in CEBL
Raul Delgado (6'3''-G-1991, played in 2010-11) plays for Piratas in Ecuadorian Liga Basquet Pro
Diamond Onwuka (6'8''-F-1997, played in 2016-17) played for Navia in Spanish 1Div.
Notice: The list above includes only some of alumni playing currently in pro basketball. Check complete list of Western Nebraska Community College basketball alumni.
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