Courtesy of Eurobasket LLC Every week we bring you a list of the top former Wolfpack players who continue their career in pro basketball.
Especially interesting is good performance of Brandon Huntley-Hatfield (16 points), DJ Burns Jr. (11 points), and Jericole Hellems (12 points).
#1. Brandon Huntley-Hatfield, a towering 6'9'' center at 22 years old, who graduated from NC State in 2025, showcased his exceptional skills during Keravnos' recent triumph over the league-leading AEK Larnaca in a thrilling match of the Cypriot ECOMMBX Basket League. In this highly anticipated game, Huntley-Hatfield, a finalist player, played a pivotal role in the 94-80 victory by delivering a remarkable double-double performance, scoring 16 points, securing 11 rebounds, and distributing 4 assists in 36 minutes of play. This exceptional display of talent is even more impressive considering it's his debut season in professional basketball. The matchup between Keravnos Strovolou and AEK Larnaca, both top 4 ranked teams, was undoubtedly the highlight of the round. Currently, Keravnos Strovolou holds the second position in the league standings, with a record of 21-2. Huntley-Hatfield's stellar performance against AEK Larnaca not only propelled his team to victory but also earned him the prestigious Triple-Double Badge from eurobasket.com, further solidifying his reputation as a champion athlete. Throughout the season, Huntley-Hatfield has consistently delivered exceptional performances, boasting impressive averages of 15.2 points, 10.7 rebounds, and 2.2 assists per game in the 32 games he has played so far. His contributions on the court have undoubtedly been instrumental in his team's success, establishing him as a standout player in the league.
#2. DJ Burns Jr., a 6'9'' forward and 25-year-old Wolfpack alumnus from 2024, currently playing professionally in Israel, recently showcased his skills on the court. He received the All-ACC All-Tournament MVP award in 2024 and continues to excel in his career. In a recent Israeli Winner League game, Burns Jr. led his team, Bnei Hertzeliya, to a thrilling 96-94 victory over closely-ranked H. Gilboa Galil with a 2-point lead. During the game, he contributed significantly by scoring 11 points, grabbing 6 rebounds, and playing for 27 minutes. Bnei Ofek Dist Hertzeliya, currently placed third in the league with a record of 18-8, has been performing well under Burns Jr.'s leadership, securing their third consecutive victory. Burns Jr.'s impressive performance against H. Gilboa Galil not only helped his team win but also showcased his skills as a champion player. With notable statistics this season, averaging 11.1 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 2.6 assists per game in nine appearances, Burns Jr. continues to make a significant impact on the court. As the regular season has concluded, all eyes are on Burns Jr. and his team as they aim for success in the upcoming playoffs, with Burns Jr. leading the charge as a standout finalist in the league.
#3. In a recent game, Jericole Hellems, a 6'7'' power forward who is 26 years old and a graduate of NC State in 2022, showcased his skills while playing professionally in Mexico for Toros Laguna. However, despite his strong performance, Toros Laguna, with a record of 18-22, fell short in their match against the higher-ranked (#3) Halcones de Ciudad Obregon, losing 90-88 on the road. Hellems contributed significantly to the game, scoring 12 points in just 15 minutes of play. Additionally, he managed to grab 2 rebounds and provide 1 assist against the tough opponent, showcasing his versatility on the court. Despite his commendable efforts, Toros Laguna could not secure the victory. Throughout the season, Hellems has maintained consistent performance, averaging 10.9 points per game and 4.2 rebounds per game in the 10 games he has played so far. His dedication and skill on the court make him a valuable asset for his team as they strive to compete against top-tier opponents like Halcones de Ciudad Obregon.
#4. Jarkel Joiner, a 6'1'' guard and 27-year-old Wolfpack alum from 2023, who received the All-ACC Second Team award that year, is currently playing professionally in Canada. In a recent game in the Canadian Elite Basketball League, Joiner played a crucial role in the Vancouver Bandits' victory over the Surge with a score of 111-101, despite the Surge having a 0-3 record. Joiner put up impressive stats with 22 points, 5 rebounds, and 7 assists in just 29 minutes of play. This marked his debut game for the Vancouver Bandits this season, a remarkable feat considering he is only in his third season of professional basketball. Although his team currently holds a relatively weak 3-1 record for the season, it is still early days, and there is ample opportunity for improvement. In a standout performance against Calgary, Joiner showcased his skills by scoring 22 points, securing 5 rebounds, and distributing 7 assists, ultimately leading his team to victory. His exceptional display on the court undoubtedly solidified his status as a champion in the making.
#5. Michael O'Connell, a 6'2'' guard who graduated from NC State in 2025 and currently plays professionally in Puerto Rico, made a significant impact in a recent game for Criollos de Caguas. In a thrilling matchup against the fourth-ranked Mets, O'Connell helped lead his team to a narrow 104-101 victory with his strong performance on Monday night. During the game, O'Connell showcased his skills by scoring 7 points and delivering 4 assists in just 19 minutes of play. His contributions were instrumental in securing the crucial win for Criollos de Caguas, who currently hold the second position in Group B with a record of 13-8. In a separate game against Guaynabo, O'Connell once again displayed his prowess on the court by scoring 7 points and providing 4 assists. His exceptional play was pivotal in ensuring his team emerged victorious, ultimately leading them to be crowned as the champion. Throughout the season, O'Connell has maintained solid averages of 5.5 points, 2.4 rebounds, and 2.5 assists per game across 21 matches. His consistent performance and leadership have undoubtedly been key factors in Criollos de Caguas' success as they strive to become the champion of the league.
Other former North Carolina State University players, who play in pro basketball:
Lorenzo Brown (6'5''-PG-1990, played in 2010-13) plays for AX Armani Exchange Milano in Italian Serie A
Mohamed Diarra (6'10''-F-2001, played in 2023-24) plays for Cholet Basket in French Betclic ELITE ProA
Eric Lockett (6'5''-G/F-1995, played in 2018-19) plays for Trefl Sopot in Polish OBL
Terquavion Smith (6'4''-G-2002, played in 2023-24) plays for Shenzhen Leopards in Chinese CBA
Markell Johnson (6'2''-PG-1998, played in 2016-20) plays for Shenzhen Leopards in Chinese CBA
DJ Funderburk (6'10''-F-1997, played in 2017-21) plays for Iraklis in Greek GBL
CJ Bryce (6'5''-G-1996, played in 2017-17) plays for UNICS in Russian VTB United League
Allerik Freeman (6'3''-SG-1994, played in 2017-18) plays for Itelyum Varese in Italian Serie A
Sacha Killeya-Jones (7'0''-C/F-1998, played in 2018-18) plays for Shandong Heroes in Chinese CBA
DJ Horne (6'1''-G-2000, played in 2023-24) plays for MLP Academics Heidelberg in German BBL
Javier Gonzalez (6'1''-PG-1989, played in 2007-22) played for Cangrejeros de Santurce in Puerto Rican BSN few monts ago
Devon Daniels (6'5''-G-1998, played in 2017-17) plays for Veolia Towers Hamburg in German BBL
C.J. Williams (6'5''-F/G-1990, played in 2008-12) played for PGE Start Lublin in Polish OBL last year
Maverick Rowan (6'7''-G/F-1996, played in 2015-17) played for Pistoia in Italian Serie A2 last year
Ben Middlebrooks (6'10''-F, played in 2023-25) plays for Norrkoping in Swedish Basketligan
Jalen Lecque (6'5''-SG-2000, played in 2019-20) plays for Onvo Buyukcekmece Basketbol in Turkish BSL
Trevor Lacey (6'3''-SG-1991, played in 2013-13) plays for Maccabi Urban Ramat Gan in Israeli Winner League
Anthony Barber (6'2''-PG-1994, played in 2013-16) plays for Saint-Quentin Basket-Ball in French Betclic ELITE ProA
Lennard Freeman (6'8''-F-1995, played in 2013-16) plays for M.Raanana in Israeli Winner League
Dontrez Styles (6'6''-G/F-2002, played in 2024-25) plays for Val-Dieu Spirou Basket Charleroi in Belgian Pro Basketball League
Dennis Smith Jr. (6'3''-PG-1997, played in 2016-17) plays for Sioux Falls Skyforce in the NBA G League
Dereon Seabron (6'7''-G-2000, played in 2019-19) plays for Salt Lake City Stars in the NBA G League
T.J. Warren (6'8''-F-1993, played in 2012-14) plays for Westchester Knicks in the NBA G League
Jayden Taylor (6'4''-G-2003, played in 2023-25) plays for KTP-Basket in Finnish Korisliiga
Terry Henderson Jr. (6'5''-G-1994, played in 2014-14) plays for USK Praha in Czech Republic NBL
Torin Dorn (6'5''-G-1995, played in 2015-15) plays for J.Hradec in Czech Republic 1Liga
Jordan Vandenberg (7'1''-C-1990, played in 2010-14) played for McKinnon Cougars in Australian Big V last year
Thomas De Thaey (6'8''-F-1991, played in 2011-13) played for Taiwan Beer in Taiwanese SBL last year
Breon Pass (6'0''-PG, played in 2021-25) plays for Ylli in Kosovan Superliga
Ernest Ross (6'9''-F-2001, played in 2021-25) plays for Wings in Georgian A League
Engin Atsur (6'4''-PG-1984, played in 2003-07) played for MI Bocconi in Italian Serie B Interregionale last year
Abdul-Malik Abu (6'8''-C-1995, played in 2014-23) plays for Kahramanmaras in Turkish TBL
Richard Howell (6'8''-C/F-1990, played in 2009-13) plays for Raleigh Firebirds in the TBL
Ted Kapita (6'8''-F-1996, played in 2016-17) plays for Muskogee Skykings in the TBL
Notice: The list above includes only some of alumni playing currently in pro basketball. Check complete list of North Carolina State University basketball alumni.
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Ex-Players
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