Courtesy of Eurobasket LLC Every week we bring you a list of the top former Eagles players who continue their career in pro basketball.
Notice impressive performance of Brandon Goodwin (31 points), Eli Abaev (9 points), and Matthew McCarthy (7 points).
#1. Brandon Goodwin, a 6'2'' shooting guard and 30-year-old finalist of the Chinese Basketball Association, showcased his exceptional skills in leading the Shanghai Sharks to a thrilling 91-88 victory over the Guangsha Lions. Goodwin, a graduate of FGCU in 2018 and recipient of the All-A-Sun Player of the Year award, has been a standout player in his first season with the team. In a closely contested game between two top 4 ranked teams, Goodwin was named the MVP after recording a double-double performance. He scored a remarkable 31 points, delivered 11 assists, and grabbed 4 rebounds in 38 minutes of play. His outstanding contributions were pivotal in securing the victory for the Shanghai Sharks, who are currently ranked first in the league with an impressive record of 38-4. This victory marked the ninth consecutive win for Goodwin's team, further solidifying their position at the top of the league standings. Throughout the season, Goodwin has maintained high statistics, averaging 17.4 points, 3.8 rebounds, and a league-leading 7.2 assists per game in the 52 games he has played so far. As a naturalized American player, Goodwin has made a significant impact in the Chinese Basketball Association with his stellar performances, cementing his status as a champion on the court.
#2. Eli Abaev, a 6'8'' forward/center who is 27 years old and an Eagles alumni from 2021, showcased his skills playing professional basketball in Israel. In a recent game, he played a crucial role in Ironi Nahariya's victory over the fifth-ranked Maccabi Ashdod with a score of 114-108 in the Israeli National League, which is the second division of basketball in Israel. Despite only playing for 13 minutes, Abaev managed to contribute 9 points, demonstrating his efficiency on the court. Ironi Nahariya, currently placed third in the Play-Off group with a record of 23-7, benefited greatly from Abaev's performance against Maccabi Ashdod. In addition to his 9 points, he also secured 1 rebound and provided 1 assist during the game. His standout play was instrumental in securing the victory for his team, further cementing his reputation as a true champion. Throughout the season, Abaev has maintained solid statistics, averaging 10.4 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 2.5 assists per game over the course of 13 games. It is noteworthy that Abaev holds both American and Israeli citizenship, allowing him to compete in Israel as a domestic player, showcasing his versatility and adaptability in the sport.
#3. Australian Matthew McCarthy, a 6'9'' guard who graduated from FGCU in 2019 and received the WCC All-Academic Team award that year, currently plays professionally in Australia. Despite his efforts, McCarthy could not lead the Waverley Falcons (5-7) to victory over the Braves (6-7) in the Australian NBL One. In the game, he contributed 7 points and 4 rebounds in 22 minutes of play. The Waverley Falcons, ranked 14th, were defeated 84-91 on the road by the 12th-ranked Braves in the South group. Although his team did not secure a win, McCarthy displayed a strong performance against Bendigo B, scoring 7 points and grabbing 4 rebounds. Throughout the season, McCarthy has maintained solid statistics with an average of 12.3 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 1.6 assists per game in 12 appearances.
#4. Turkish player Zavian McLean, a 6'4'' guard who is 24 years old and an Eagles alumnus from 2025, is currently playing professionally in France. In a recent match, he helped Entente Orleans 45 secure a significant victory against JA Vichy in the French ELITE 2 league. Despite scoring only 2 points in 10 minutes of play, McLean's presence on the court proved valuable as his team emerged victorious with a final score of 79-73. Entente Orleans 45, currently ranked third in the league with a record of 24-14, is benefitting from McLean's skills in his first season with the team. Against JA Vichy, McLean's 2 points and 1 rebound may seem modest statistically, but his impact was crucial in helping his team achieve success. His performance played a key role in leading Entente Orleans 45 to victory, showcasing his abilities and potential as a champion. Throughout this season, McLean has been averaging 3.1 points per game in the seven games he has played so far. It is worth noting that McLean is a naturalized Turk, adding to his unique background and contributions to the team.
#5. Tavian Dunn-Martin, a 5'8'' point guard who graduated from FGCU in 2022 and received the All-A-Sun Newcomer of the Year award, is currently playing professionally in Canada. Recently, he showcased his skills by leading the Saskatchewan Mamba to a narrow 90-88 victory over the Shooting Stars in the Canadian Elite Basketball League. In this exciting match, Dunn-Martin's stellar performance earned him the MVP title, as he contributed 23 points, 8 rebounds, and 3 assists in just 32 minutes of play. Despite the Saskatchewan Mamba's somewhat lackluster 2-4 record this season, it is important to remember that it is still early in the season, leaving room for improvement and unexpected turnarounds. Dunn-Martin's outstanding display of talent was particularly evident in the game against Scarborough, where he once again scored 23 points, grabbed 8 rebounds, and provided 3 assists, ultimately propelling his team to victory and solidifying his status as a champion. Individually, Dunn-Martin has been having an exceptional year, boasting impressive averages of 20.3 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 5.3 assists per game across six games. His consistent high-level performance is undoubtedly a key factor in his team's success and highlights his potential to continue excelling as a finalist in future games.
Other former Florida Gulf Coast University players, who play in pro basketball:
Chase Fieler (6'8''-SF-1992, played in 2010-14) plays for Alvark Tokyo in Japanese B1 League
Keeshawn Kellman (6'8''-F-2000, played in 2023-25) plays for MHP Riesen Ludwigsburg in German BBL
Dallion Johnson (6'3''-G-2001, played in 2023-25) plays for Norrkoping in Swedish Basketligan
Dakota Rivers (6'8''-F-2001, played in 2019-24) played for Texas Legends in the NBA G League few monts ago
Franco Miller Jr. (6'3''-G-1999, played in 2020-24) plays for Santa Cruz Warriors in the NBA G League
Zachary Anderson (6'7''-F-2002, played in 2020-24) plays for Bristol Flyers in British SLB
Demetris Morant (6'9''-F-1992, played in 2014-17) plays for San Diego Surf in the USBL
Andre Weir (6'9''-C-2001, played in 2021-24) plays for RASHI in Georgian Superleague
Jamail Jones (6'7''-F-1992, played in 2012-12) played for Georgia Spartans in the UBA last year
Marc-Eddy Norelia (6'7''-F-1993, played in 2013-13) plays for Caen Basket Calvados in French ProB
Kevin Cantinol (6'10''-C-1988, played in 2010-12) played for La Charite in French NM2 last year
Sherwood Brown (6'4''-G-1991, played in 2009-13) played for Mineros de Parral in Mexican LBE last year
Rendijs Feikners (6'1''-G-1996, played in 2016-17) plays for Tukums in Latvian RNBL
Christian Terrell (6'5''-G-1995, played in 2014-18) played for Madd Katts in the The Basketball Tournament last year
Notice: The list above includes only some of alumni playing currently in pro basketball. Check complete list of Florida Gulf Coast University basketball alumni.
|
|
|
Ex-Players
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
