Courtesy of Eurobasket LLC Here is the weekly review of the top performing Eagles alumni, who are currently playing in pro basketball.
Especially interesting is good performance of Jordan Parks (16 points), Brendan Medley-Bacon (12 points), and Emmanuel Izunabor (24 points).
#1. Jordan Parks, a 6'7'' forward who graduated from NCCU in 2015 and helped them win the MEAC Regular Season Champion title that year, currently plays professionally in Italy. In a recent game for Umana Reyer Venezia against league leader Virtus Bologna, Parks was a standout player, contributing significantly to his team's 91-83 victory. He showcased his skills by recording 16 points, 7 rebounds, and 4 assists in just 26 minutes of play. This match was highly anticipated as it featured two top 4 ranked teams in the Italian Serie A. Umana Reyer Venezia, currently placed fourth in the league with a record of 19-9, relied on Parks' impressive performance to secure the important win against Virtus Bologna. His all-around contribution on the court demonstrated the qualities of a true champion. Throughout the season, Parks has maintained solid statistics, averaging 12.8 points, 4.9 rebounds, 1.7 assists, and 1.5 steals per game in the 33 games he has played so far. His consistent performance and valuable contributions make him a key player for his team as they aim for success in the league.
#2. Brendan Medley-Bacon, a 25-year-old center standing at 7 feet tall and an Eagles alumnus from 2023, currently showcases his talents playing professionally in Israel. In a recent game, Medley-Bacon, the All-MEAC Defensive Player of the Year in 2023, demonstrated his prowess on the court but unfortunately couldn't lead his team, Urban Latti Kiryat Ata, to a victory. Despite his commendable performance, Kiryat Ata suffered a close 108-113 loss on the road to Galil Elion, one of the league's lower-ranked teams at #13. During the game, Medley-Bacon achieved a double-double, scoring 12 points and securing 11 rebounds in 33 minutes of play. This noteworthy performance added to his impressive season statistics. The Regular Season has already concluded, marking Medley-Bacon's first season with the team. Despite the loss, Medley-Bacon's exceptional skills and dedication on the court earned him recognition, including the prestigious Triple-Double Badge from eurobasket.com, reaffirming his status as a champion player. Throughout the season, Medley-Bacon has consistently delivered high-quality performances, averaging 16.8 points, 11.3 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks per game over four matches. His remarkable individual contributions highlight his talent and commitment to excelling in the sport.
#3. Nigerian basketball player Emmanuel Izunabor, a towering 6'8'' forward aged 26, showcased his exceptional skills in a recent TBL game where he led the Great Falls Electric to a resounding 109-95 victory over the Grant County Redtails. Graduating from NCCU in 2024, Izunabor received the MEAC All-Defensive Team award that same year. His standout performance in the game earned him the MVP title, as he achieved a double-double with 24 points, 16 rebounds, and 2 blocks in 36 minutes of play. This remarkable feat is even more impressive considering it is only Izunabor's second season in professional basketball. The Great Falls Electric, with a somewhat lackluster 12-6 record this season, secured their seventh consecutive win thanks to Izunabor's stellar contribution. Izunabor's outstanding display on the court against the Grant County Redtails not only helped his team emerge victorious but also earned him the prestigious Triple-Double Badge from eurobasket.com, solidifying his status as a champion player with extraordinary abilities. Throughout the season, Izunabor has maintained high statistics, averaging 16.1 points per game, 12.2 rebounds per game (ranking fourth in the league), along with 1.6 assists, 1.8 blocks, and 1.3 steals per game across 16 games. His consistent performance and impact on the court demonstrate his immense talent and potential as a finalist player in the making.
#4. Experienced Dominique Sutton, a 6'4'' guard/forward who is 39 years old and an Eagles alum from 2012, currently plays professionally in The Basketball League (TBL). Recently, he played a significant role in the Raleigh Firebirds' victory over the Kissimmee Lambs with a score of 109-97. In that game, Sutton demonstrated his skills by scoring 10 points and collecting 5 rebounds in 28 minutes of play. This win contributed to the Raleigh Firebirds' somewhat modest 14-4 record this season, marking their third consecutive victory. Sutton's performance against Kissimmee Lambs highlighted his prowess as a champion, as he made a notable impact by scoring 10 points and securing 5 rebounds to help his team emerge victorious. Throughout this season, Sutton has maintained solid averages of 8.5 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 1.5 assists per game in the 13 games he has played so far. His consistent contributions on the court exemplify his capabilities as a finalist.
#5. Fred Cleveland Jr., a 24-year-old point guard standing at 5'10'' who graduated from NCCU in 2024 and received the All-MEAC First Team award that year, currently plays professionally in Mexico. In a recent game, Cleveland Jr. was unable to lead the Angeles de Ciudad de Mexico (20-20) to victory, as they lost 84-96 to the higher-ranked (#4) Zonkeys in Tijuana. Despite his valiant effort, recording 10 points, 4 rebounds, and 1 assist in 23 minutes of play, his team fell short in the end. Cleveland Jr. displayed his talent and skills on the court during the game against Tijuana with his notable performance, scoring 10 points, grabbing 4 rebounds, and providing 1 assist. However, his individual efforts were not enough to secure a win for the team. Throughout this season, Cleveland Jr. has been maintaining an average of 10.0 points, 1.6 rebounds, and 2.5 assists per game over 15 games, showcasing his consistent contribution to the team as they strive for success in the league.
Other former North Carolina Central University players, who play in pro basketball:
Daniel Oladapo (6'8''-PF-2000, played in 2023-24) plays for Stade Rochelais Basket in French ProB
Cameron Butler (6'10''-F/C-1999, played in 2021-23) played for ES Rades in Tunisian ProA few monts ago
Kris Monroe (6'8''-F-1999, played in 2021-23) plays for druck.at Traiskirchen Lions in Austrian BSL
Karamo Jawara (6'8''-F-1991, played in 2011-15) played for Fyllingen in Norwegian BLNO last year
Nimrod Hilliard IV (6'0''-PG-1993, played in 2014-15) played for KR in Icelandic Subway League last year
Eric Boone (6'2''-F-1999, played in 2021-23) plays for Lucenec in Slovakian Tipos SBL
Jordan Perkins (6'2''-G-1998, played in 2017-21) plays for Garveys Tralee Warriors in Irish Super League
Shawn Ray (6'5''-F-1980, played in 2000-03) plays for Worthersee Piraten in Austrian 2.Bundesliga
Marque Maultsby (6'3''-G, played in 2023-25) plays for Santo Andre in Portuguese Proliga
Deven Palmer (6'4''-G-1997, played in 2019-21) played for Massachusetts Wolves in the ABA last year
Roderick Taylor (6'7''-F-1996, played in 2018-19) played for Texas Nighthawks in the ABA last year
Aquan Smart (6'3''-G-2001, played in 2024-25) plays for Yakima Heat in the USBL
Notice: The list above includes only some of alumni playing currently in pro basketball. Check complete list of North Carolina Central University basketball alumni.
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