Courtesy of Eurobasket LLC Here is the weekly review of the top performing Bears alumni, who are currently playing in pro basketball.
Especially interesting is good performance of Johnathan Motley (20 points), Ishmail Wainright (18 points), and Michael Rataj (13 points).
#1. Johnathan Motley, a 6'10'' center, and Baylor graduate from 2017, currently showcasing his skills in Israel, emerged as a key player for Hapoel Shlomo Tel-Aviv in a recent match against Maccabi Tel-Aviv, the league leader with a 24-2 record. The highly anticipated game ended in a resounding victory for Hapoel Shlomo Tel-Aviv, with a scoreline of 115-97. Motley's exceptional performance was instrumental in this triumph, as he recorded a double-double with 20 points and 11 rebounds during his 32 minutes on the court. This impressive win was a crucial one for Hapoel Shlomo Tel-Aviv, positioning them as the second-placed team in the league with a record of 22-4. Notably, this victory marked their third consecutive win, showcasing the team's strong form heading into the next phase of the competition. The game, touted as the highlight of the round, featured two top 4 ranked teams battling it out in a thrilling contest. Motley's contribution did not go unnoticed, as his stellar performance against Maccabi Tel-Aviv earned him recognition, including the prestigious Triple-Double Badge from eurobasket.com. With an average of 14.5 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 1.1 assist per game in the 22 matches he has played this season, Motley has consistently demonstrated his prowess on the court. His impact has solidified his reputation as a champion player, capable of delivering outstanding displays when it matters most.
#2. Ugandan Ishmail Wainright, a 6'5'' forward aged 31 and an alum of the Bears class of 2017, currently showcases his basketball skills in Israel as a professional player. He received the All-Big 12 Honorable Mention award during his time at Baylor University. Wainright currently plays alongside his teammate Johnathan Motley in the Israeli Winner League. In a recent game, Wainright played a pivotal role in leading Hapoel Shlomo Tel-Aviv to a hard-fought victory over the tenth-ranked Ironi Nes-Ziona with a score of 81-75. His stellar performance earned him the MVP title of the game, scoring an impressive 18 points in just 25 minutes of play. Hapoel Shlomo Tel-Aviv, with a record of 22-4, currently holds the second position in the league standings, thanks in part to Wainright's contributions. This victory marked his team's third consecutive win. Wainright's remarkable display, where he contributed 18 points and 3 rebounds against Ironi Nes-Ziona, played a crucial role in securing the championship title for his team. So far this season, Wainright has maintained an average of 7.8 points per game and 2.7 rebounds per game in the 15 games he has participated in. Additionally, it is worth noting that Wainright holds American citizenship through naturalization.
#3. German basketball player Michael Rataj, standing at 6'8'' and 22 years old, who graduated from Baylor in 2026, showcased his talent as a professional player in Germany by leading ALBA Berlin to a commanding victory over the tenth-ranked Rasta Vechta with a score of 98-89 in the German easyCredit BBL last Wednesday. Despite only playing for 16 minutes, Rataj managed to contribute significantly to his team's success by scoring 13 points. ALBA Berlin, currently holding the second position in the league with a record of 24-10, benefited greatly from Rataj's stellar performance. In the match against Vechta, Rataj not only scored 13 points but also added 2 rebounds and 1 assist to his stat line, proving his versatility and impact on the game. His valuable contributions on the court were instrumental in guiding his team to victory, highlighting his prowess and determination as a champion. Throughout the season, Rataj has been averaging 7.2 points per game and 3.1 rebounds per game in the 10 games he has participated in so far, consistently demonstrating his skills and commitment to success as a finalist.
#4. In the recent game, Jayden Nunn, a 6'4'' guard who is 23 years old and an alumnus of the Bears from the class of 2025, showcased his talent while playing professionally in Italy. Despite his efforts, Brescia (21-7) suffered a 77-83 defeat on the road against the lower-ranked (#8) Trieste. Nunn emerged as the second-highest scorer for Brescia, contributing 13 points and also impressively recording 3 steals in just 21 minutes of play. Even though Nunn displayed his skills by tallying 13 points, 2 rebounds, and 2 assists against Trieste, his team could not clinch the victory. Throughout this season, Nunn has been averaging 8.9 points per game and 1.5 assists per game in the eight games he has participated in so far.
#5. Jared Butler, a 6'3'' guard who graduated from Baylor in 2021 and received the USBWA All-District VII Player of the Year award that year, is currently playing professionally in Serbia. In a recent game, despite his strong performance, Butler could not prevent Crvena Zvezda from losing 78-89 to the second-ranked Partizan in a derby match. Even though he managed to score 10 points in just 15 minutes of play, it was not enough to secure a victory for his team. This defeat marked Crvena Zvezda's first loss after a streak of four consecutive wins. Notably, this is Butler's debut season with the team, where he has been showcasing his skills. Throughout the season, Butler has maintained solid statistics, averaging 12.7 points, 2.0 rebounds, and 3.7 assists per game in the 22 games he has played so far. Despite the loss in the recent game, Butler's performance on the court remains commendable, and he continues to be a key player for Crvena Zvezda.
#6. South Sudanese Nuni Omot, a 31-year-old 6'9'' small forward and 2018 Bears alum, showcased his skills in the Basketball Africa League last Sunday. Playing professionally in Egypt for Al Ahly Cairo, Omot led his team to a decisive 87-76 victory over the closely-ranked ASCVD. His stellar performance earned him the MVP title of the game, as he contributed significantly with 24 points, 6 rebounds, and 2 assists in 40 minutes of play. His standout play was instrumental in securing the victory for his team, ultimately leading them to be crowned the champion of the match. Throughout the season, Omot has maintained impressive individual statistics, averaging 21.0 points per game, along with 5.7 rebounds, 2.7 assists, and 1.7 steals per game across three games. Notably, he is a naturalized South Sudanese player, adding to his remarkable achievements on the court.
#7. James Akinjo, a 6'1'' point guard who graduated from Baylor in 2022 and helped them become Big 12 Regular Season Co-Champion that year, currently plays professionally in Israel. In a recent game against Hapoel Tel-Aviv, Akinjo faced off against Ishmail Wainright. Despite his strong individual performance, Akinjo's team, Ironi Hai Motors Nes-Ziona, was unable to secure a victory, losing 75-81 in Tel Aviv. Akinjo showcased his skills by scoring 15 points and dishing out 5 assists in the game, playing a total of 34 minutes. His contributions on the court were notable, but unfortunately, they were not enough to lead his team to a win. Throughout the season, Akinjo has been averaging 7.8 points, 1.5 rebounds, and 7.3 assists per game in the four games played so far.
#8. Belgian champion Emmanuel Lecomte, a 5'11'' point guard who is 30 years old and an alumnus of Bears from 2018, currently plays professionally in Romania. In a recent match, he led Valcea to a 92-85 victory over the closely-ranked Timisoara in the Romanian Liga Nationala Baschet de Masculin. During the game, Lecomte showcased his skills by scoring 13 points and delivering 7 assists in 37 minutes of play. With his impressive performance, Lecomte played a pivotal role in securing the victory for his team and solidifying their position as the finalist. Throughout the season, he has maintained solid statistics, averaging 14.3 points, 1.8 rebounds, and 4.7 assists per game across 23 games.
#9. DR Congolese Florent Thamba, a 6'10'' center/forward who is 27 years old and graduated from Baylor in 2023, currently plays professionally in the Dominican Republic. In the recent game, Thamba was unable to assist the Metros (11-4) as they suffered a defeat against the lower-ranked (#3) Heroes with a final score of 81-89 in Moca. Despite his commendable performance, scoring 14 points and securing 7 rebounds in 33 minutes, the Metros could not secure the win. Thamba showcased an impressive display against the Heroes, contributing 14 points, 7 rebounds, and 1 assist. Nevertheless, his team fell short in clinching the victory. Throughout this year, Thamba has been averaging 8.7 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 1.1 steals per game across 15 games.
#10. Experienced champion Lester Medford Jr., a 6'1'' point guard who is 33 years old and an alumnus of Bears from 2016, currently plays professionally in Slovakia. In a recent game, despite Medford Jr.'s commendable performance, Slovan (23-13) was unable to secure a victory, suffering a 93-72 defeat against the formidable Levice on their home court. Medford Jr. displayed his skills by contributing 11 points and 4 assists in 29 minutes of play, making him the second-highest scorer for his team. Despite his notable efforts, Slovan fell short against the dominant Levice team. Throughout the season, Medford Jr. has maintained solid statistics, averaging 12.3 points, 3.0 rebounds, 4.5 assists, and 1.6 steals per game across 45 games. His consistent performance on the court showcases his dedication and talent as a champion player.
Other former Baylor University players, who play in pro basketball:
Freddie Gillespie (6'9''-C-1997, played in 2017-17) plays for Galatasaray Ekmas Istanbul in Turkish BSL
Jeremy Roach (6'2''-G-2001, played in 2024-25) plays for King Szczecin in Polish OBL
Quincy Miller-Scott (6'9''-F-1992, played in 2011-12) played for Beirut Club in Lebanese DLBL few monts ago
Norchad Omier (6'7''-F-2001, played in 2024-25) plays for Los Angeles Clippers in the NBA
Ja'Kobe Walter (6'5''-SG-2004, played in 2023-24) plays for Toronto Raptors in the NBA
Davion Mitchell (6'1''-G-1998, played in 2018-18) plays for Miami Heat in the NBA
RayJ Dennis (6'2''-G-2001, played in 2023-24) plays for Atlanta Hawks in the NBA
Royce O'Neale (6'6''-SF-1993, played in 2013-15) plays for Phoenix Suns in the NBA
Taurean Prince (6'7''-F-1994, played in 2012-16) plays for Milwaukee Bucks in the NBA
Yves Missi (7'0''-F-2004, played in 2023-24) plays for New Orleans Pelicans in the NBA
Kendall Brown (6'8''-G/F-2003, played in 2021-22) plays for Boston Celtics in the NBA
Jeremy Sochan (6'8''-F-2003, played in 2021-22) plays for New York Knicks in the NBA
VJ Edgecombe (6'5''-G-2005, played in 2024-25) plays for Philadelphia 76ers in the NBA
Keyonte George (6'4''-G-2003) plays for Utah Jazz in the NBA
Perry Jones III (6'11''-F-1991, played in 2010-12) plays for Zonkeys de Tijuana in Mexican CIBACOPA
LaceDarius Dunn (6'4''-SG-1987, played in 2007-11) played for Sporting in Egyptian Superleague last year
Pierre Jackson (5'11''-G-1991, played in 2011-13) plays for Al Ittihad Alexandria in Egyptian Superleague
Kenny Chery (5'11''-PG-1992, played in 2013-15) plays for Juventus in Lithuanian LKL
Matthew Mayer (6'9''-G/F-1999, played in 2018-22) played for Toyotsu Fighting Eagles Nagoya in Japanese B1 League last year
Macio Teague (6'4''-SG-1997, played in 2018-18) plays for Torino in Italian Serie A2
Mario Kegler (6'7''-G/F-1997, played in 2017-17) played for Leones in Dominican Rep. LNB last year
Devonte Bandoo (6'3''-G-1996, played in 2018-22) plays for Venados de Mazatlan in Mexican CIBACOPA
Adam Flagler (6'3''-G-1999, played in 2023-24) plays for Austin Spurs in the NBA G League
Jalen Bridges (6'9''-F-2001, played in 2022-24) plays for Maine Celtics in the NBA G League
AJ Walton (6'2''-PG-1990, played in 2009-13) plays for J.Hradec in Czech Republic 1Liga
Jo Lual-Acuil (7'0''-C-1994, played in 2015-15) plays for Ahly Benghazi in Libyan D1
Angok Deng (6'8''-F-1992, played in 2014-15) plays for ASCVD in Senegalese N1M
Kevin Rogers (6'9''-PF-1986, played in 2005-09) played for Texas Tribe in the TBA last year
Austin Sacks (6'7''-F, played in 2021-24) played for Team Newcastle University in British BCB last year
Terry Maston Jr. (6'9''-C-1995, played in 2014-18) plays for Potawatomi Fire in the TBL
Isaiah Austin (7'1''-C-1993, played in 2012-14) played for DMV Trilogy in the Big3 last year
Notice: The list above includes only some of alumni playing currently in pro basketball. Check complete list of Baylor University basketball alumni.
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