Courtesy of Eurobasket LLC We bring you last week's top former Tigers players who are currently playing in pro basketball.
Notice impressive performance of Jared Harper (20 points), Austin Wiley (15 points), and Wendell Green Jr. (23 points).
#1. Jared Harper, a 5'10'' point guard aged 28 who graduated from Auburn in 2019 after helping them win the SEC Tournament that year, currently plays professionally in Israel. In a recent Israeli Winner League game, he was a key player for Hapoel Bank Yahav Jerusalem in their victory over the eighth-ranked Hapoel Beer Sheva, with a final score of 103-87. Harper's performance was exceptional as he achieved a double-double, scoring 20 points, dishing out 10 assists, and grabbing 5 rebounds in just 25 minutes of play. Notably, he made all ten of his free throw attempts, showcasing his accuracy from the line. Hapoel Bank Yahav Jerusalem, currently ranked fourth in the league with a record of 17-8, has one more crucial game in the Regular Season. Harper's outstanding display against Hapoel Beer Sheva highlighted his skills and impact on the court, ultimately leading his team to victory. With impressive averages of 18.1 points per game (ranking him fourth in the league), 3.1 rebounds per game, and 6.8 assists per game (the second-best in the league) over 22 games so far, Harper has had a standout year individually. His consistent contributions and stellar performance in the recent game make him the champion of the match, showcasing his talent and value to his team as they head towards the final games of the season.
#2. In a recent Israeli Winner League game, Austin Wiley, a 6'11'' center and Tigers alumni from 2020, showcased his skills as a champion alongside his teammate, the finalist Jared Harper. Wiley, who currently plays professionally in Israel, played a key role in leading Hapoel Bank Yahav Jerusalem to a decisive 103-87 victory over Hapoel Beer Sheva. In just 20 minutes of play, he demonstrated his prowess on the court by scoring 15 points, securing 9 rebounds, and blocking 3 shots. Wiley's impressive performance against Hapoel Beer Sheva highlighted his contribution to the team's success in the game. His remarkable statistics for the season, including averaging 10.6 points per game, 9.2 rebounds per game (ranking third best in the league), and 1.4 blocks per game (ranking fourth best in the league), further solidify his status as a standout player in the league. His consistent performance and contributions to his team's victories underscore his reputation as a true champion in the sport.
#3. Wendell Green Jr., a 23-year-old point guard standing at 5'11'' who graduated from Auburn in 2023 and received the All-SEC Second Team award that same year, is currently playing professionally in Slovenia. In a recent game last Thursday, Green Jr. showcased his skills by leading his team, Ilirija, to a remarkable 105-89 victory over the league leader Krka, who held a record of 26-1. This standout performance earned Green Jr. the MVP title of the game. During the game, Green Jr. displayed an impressive performance, scoring 23 points, grabbing 4 rebounds, and dishing out 7 assists in just 29 minutes of play. This impressive display is particularly noteworthy as it is only Green Jr.'s third season in professional basketball. The game between Ilirija and Krka was highly anticipated as both teams are ranked in the top 4 of the league, with Ilirija Ljubljana holding the second position with a record of 21-6. This victory marked the ninth consecutive win for Green Jr.'s team and highlighted his impact as a key player. Despite this being his first year with the team, Green Jr. has been delivering consistent performances throughout the season, averaging 14.9 points, 3.1 rebounds, 5.1 assists, and 1.4 steals per game in the 29 games he has played so far. His exceptional performance against Krka further solidified his reputation as a true champion on the court.
#4. Chuma Okeke, a 27-year-old forward standing at 6'8'' and a Tigers alumnus from 2019, showcased his skills while playing professionally in Spain. He recently contributed to Real Madrid's victory over the closely-ranked Valencia (25-13) with a score of 105-90 in the Euroleague last Friday. In this crucial match between two top 4 ranked teams, Okeke managed to score 5 points and secure 4 rebounds in just 18 minutes on the court. Real Madrid, currently positioned third in the league with a record of 24-14, benefitted greatly from Okeke's performance. Despite encountering an error message stating, "The remote server returned an error: (500) Internal Server Error," Okeke's statistics for this year remain impressive, averaging 5.6 points per game and 3.9 rebounds per game across 43 games. As a former champion of the SEC Tournament with his alma mater, Okeke continues to make a mark as a finalist in the professional basketball scene.
#5. Bryce Brown, a 6'3'' guard who graduated from Auburn in 2019, is currently playing professionally in Israel for Ironi Hai Motors Nes-Ziona. In a recent game against the second-ranked Hapoel Tel-Aviv, Brown put on a stellar performance, scoring 23 points and grabbing 5 rebounds in 34 minutes of play. Despite his impressive efforts, I.Ness Ziona, his team, fell short and lost 75-81 on the road. Brown's contributions on the court have been notable throughout the season, as he has been a consistent top performer for his team. With an average of 15.8 points, 1.8 rebounds, and 3.4 assists per game over 21 games, Brown has proven to be a key player for Ironi Hai Motors Nes-Ziona. As his team gears up for their final game of the Regular Season, Brown's skills and leadership will be crucial in their quest for success. This marks Brown's first season with the team, and despite the challenges faced, he has shown himself to be a champion on the court, consistently delivering strong performances as a finalist in various statistical categories.
#6. South Sudanese champion JT Thor, who stands at 6'9'' and is a 24-year-old forward, is an alum of the Tigers class of 2021 and currently plays professionally in Italy. In a recent matchup, he was unable to lead Reggio Emilia to victory over Armani Milano, with his team falling short with a final score of 72-84. Despite his valiant efforts, Thor managed to contribute 6 points, 5 rebounds, and 2 assists in a commendable performance during the game. Throughout the season, Thor has been showcasing his skills consistently, averaging 8.8 points per game, 4.6 rebounds per game, and 1.2 blocks per game, which ranks him as the second-best shot blocker in the league. His impressive stats and contributions on the court demonstrate his prowess as a rising basketball star.
#7. Nigerian champion Babatunde Akingbola, a 6'10'' center aged 26, graduated from GWU in 2024 but previously played for Auburn from 2019 to 2023 before starting his professional career in the Dominican Republic. Akingbola recently faced a tough match against Caneros where despite his efforts, his team, Indios, fell short. He scored just 2 points, secured 4 rebounds, and blocked 4 shots in 26 minutes of play as his team suffered a 100-105 defeat. Akingbola expressed his disappointment with his individual performance in that game, acknowledging that it was not one of his best showings. In a more positive light, Akingbola showcased an impressive performance in a recent game against Caneros, contributing 2 points, 4 rebounds, and 1 assist. Despite his strong efforts, his team was unable to secure the victory. Throughout the season, he has maintained solid averages of 4.3 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 2.7 blocks per game across six matchups. A naturalized Nigerian, Akingbola continues to strive for success both individually and as a valuable member of his team.
#8. Jaylin Williams, a 6'8'' forward and 25-year-old Tigers alumni from 2024, played a crucial role in helping his team win the SEC Tournament that year. Currently playing professionally in Canada, Williams recently suited up for the Saskatchewan Mamba, but despite his stellar performance, he could not prevent his team from suffering a defeat in their last game against the Toronto Shooting Stars. In the game, Saskatchewan, ranked #5, fell short by a close margin of 103-107 to the Shooting Stars. Williams emerged as the standout player, leading the scoring charts with 26 points and contributing 4 rebounds in just 24 minutes of play. His impressive performance extended to a previous game against Scarborough, where he once again showcased his scoring prowess with 26 points and 4 rebounds. Despite his individual achievements, Saskatchewan was unable to secure a victory in both instances. Throughout the season, Jaylin Williams has maintained solid statistics, averaging 13.5 points per game, 4.3 rebounds per game, 1.5 assists per game, and leading the league with 2.0 blocks per game. Additionally, he has been recording 1.5 steals per game across the four games played so far. Williams' consistent contributions on the court highlight his importance to the team, even in the face of challenging outcomes.
Other former Auburn University players, who play in pro basketball:
Denver Jones (6'4''-G-2000, played in 2023-25) plays for Bnei Hertzeliya in Israeli Winner League
Walker Kessler (7'0''-C-2001, played in 2021-22) plays for Utah Jazz in the NBA
Dylan Cardwell (6'11''-C-2001, played in 2020-25) plays for Sacramento Kings in the NBA
Isaac Okoro (6'6''-SG-2001, played in 2019-20) plays for Chicago Bulls in the NBA
Johni Broome (6'10''-F/C-2002, played in 2022-25) plays for Philadelphia 76ers in the NBA
Miles Kelly (6'6''-G-2003, played in 2024-25) plays for Dallas Mavericks in the NBA
Chaney Johnson (6'7''-F-2002, played in 2023-25) plays for Brooklyn Nets in the NBA
Jabari Smith II Jr. (6'10''-F-2003, played in 2021-22) plays for Houston Rockets in the NBA
Sharife Cooper (6'1''-G-2001, played in 2020-21) plays for Washington Wizards in the NBA
Allen Flanigan (6'6''-G-2001, played in 2019-23) plays for FC Porto in Portuguese Liga Betclic
Lior Berman (6'4''-G-2001, played in 2019-24) plays for M.Rishon in Israeli Winner League
Horace Spencer (6'9''-C-1997, played in 2015-19) played for Ostioneros de Guaymas in Mexican CIBACOPA few monts ago
Kenny Gabriel (6'9''-F-1989, played in 2009-12) plays for Valcea in Romanian Liga Nationala
Danjel Purifoy (6'7''-F-1995, played in 2015-15) plays for Atenas in Argentinian La Liga
JP Pegues (6'2''-G, played in 2024-25) plays for Rigas Zelli in Latvian LBL
Jalen Harper (6'1''-G-2000, played in 2022-24) plays for M.Haifa in Israeli National League
Chris Moore (6'6''-F-2001, played in 2020-25) played for Leotar in Bosnia and Herzegovina Division I last year
K.D. Johnson (6'0''-PG-2001, played in 2021-24) plays for Keila Coolbet in Estonian KML
Antabia Waller (6'3''-G-1988, played in 2006-10) played for Kumanovo MK in North Macedonian Super League last year
Tyler Harris (6'10''-C-1993, played in 2015-16) plays for Al Rayyan in Qatari QBL
Jordon Granger (6'8''-F-1993, played in 2012-16) plays for Georgia Knights in the MBL
J'Von McCormick (6'0''-PG-1997, played in 2018-20) plays for Rahoveci in Kosovan Superliga
LaRon Smith (6'9''-F-1993, played in 2016-17) plays for Palma Fibwi in Spanish Primera FEB
Zep Jasper (6'0''-PG-1997, played in 2023-23) played for Reading Rockets in British BCB last year
Quan Prowell (6'8''-F, played in 2004-08) plays for Carolina Crusaders in the ECBL
Ben Njie (6'4''-F-1984, played in 2019-23) plays for Georgia Panthers in the United Cup
Ja'Heim Hudson (6'7''-F-2001, played in 2024-25) plays for CD Espanol Osorno in Chilean LNB
Adrian Forbes (6'10''-C-1988, played in 2010-12) played for Llaneros in Venezuelan SPB last year
Malik Dunbar (6'5''-F-1996, played in 2017-19) plays for Charlotte Blue Jackets in the ECBL
Notice: The list above includes only some of alumni playing currently in pro basketball. Check complete list of Auburn University basketball alumni.
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Ex-Players
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