Courtesy of Eurobasket LLC Every week we bring you a list of the top former Salukis players who continue their career in pro basketball.
Especially interesting is good performance of Marcus Domask (18 points), Eric McGill (17 points), and Aaron Cook (10 points).
#1. Marcus Domask, a 6'6'' guard/forward and a 25-year-old graduate of Illinois in 2024, has been making waves in the Belgian Pro Basketball League. Despite playing for SIU between 2019 and 2023, he has seamlessly transitioned to the professional level, currently playing for Oostende in Belgium. In a recent game against league leader Okapi Aalst, Domask led Oostende to a remarkable 78-60 victory. His standout performance earned him the MVP title of the game, where he scored 18 points in just 20 minutes of play. This achievement is particularly impressive considering that he is only in his second season of professional basketball. Oostende, currently ranking second from the bottom (#10) in the league, benefited greatly from Domask's skills on the court. In that game against Aalst, Domask not only showcased his scoring ability but also contributed with 3 rebounds and 1 assist, proving instrumental in securing the victory for his team and earning him the title of the champion of the game. Individually, Domask has been having a stellar season, boasting impressive averages of 16.6 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 4.4 assists per game over the five games he has played so far. His consistent high-level performance is a testament to his talent and dedication to the game.
#2. In the recent game, Eric McGill, a 29-year-old guard standing at 6'3" and an alumnus of Salukis from 2020, showcased his skills for Caspiy Aktau but couldn't lead them to victory. Despite his standout performance, Caspiy Aktau, with an 18-14 record, suffered a 71-79 defeat at home against the second-ranked Astana. McGill displayed his versatility by recording a double-double with 17 points, 11 assists, and 5 rebounds while playing for 37 minutes. This game highlighted McGill's impactful presence on the court, although it wasn't enough to secure a win for his team. This season marks McGill's debut with the team, where he has been consistently delivering notable performances. With an average of 13.6 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 7.9 assists per game, McGill currently leads the league in assists and steals with 3.2 steals per game in 32 appearances. Despite the loss in the latest game, McGill's impressive stats reflect his significant contributions to Caspiy Aktau's efforts throughout the season.
#3. Aaron Cook, a 6'2'' guard who is 28 years old and graduated from Georgia in 2022, previously played for SIU between 2016 and 2020 before turning pro in New Zealand. In the recent game, despite Cook's solid performance, he could not prevent Taranaki Airs (3-6) from suffering a defeat. The Airs were dominated 113-86 on the road by the second-ranked Rams, marking Taranaki's fifth consecutive loss. Cook showcased his skills by scoring 10 points, securing 6 rebounds, and distributing 5 assists in 35 minutes of play. His contributions were commendable, yet they were not enough to secure a victory for his team. Throughout this season, Cook has maintained respectable statistics with averages of 13.7 points, 3.6 rebounds, 6.9 assists, and 2.7 steals per game, which ranks him as the second-best steals leader in the league.
#4. Serbian Jovan Stulic, a 6'6'' guard who is 26 years old and an alum of Salukis from 2024, currently plays professionally in Bosnia. Recently, Stulic was unable to lead OKK Sloboda Tuzla (20-10) to victory against KK Bosna Meridianbet Sarajevo. Despite his efforts, where he scored 4 points and grabbed 3 rebounds in 26 minutes, OKK Sloboda Tuzla ultimately lost 66-73 to the leading KK Bosna Meridianbet in the Winners Stage group. Stulic showcased his skills on the court, but unfortunately, his team fell short in securing a win. Throughout the season, Stulic has maintained solid statistics, averaging 11.5 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 1.5 assists per game in 31 appearances. It is worth noting that Stulic also holds a Croatian passport, adding to his versatility as a player.
#5. Experienced champion Jeff Early Jr., a 6'3'' guard aged 37, who graduated from SIU in 2013 and currently plays professionally in Puerto Rico, made a significant contribution to an impressive victory against the sixth-ranked Piratas with a score of 99-81 in Wednesday night's game of the Puerto Rican Baloncesto Superior Nacional. Early Jr. showcased his skills by scoring 6 points and providing 3 assists during his 26 minutes on the court. The Criollos de Caguas, holding a record of 14-8, are currently positioned as the second-place team in Group B. This recent win marked their third consecutive victory, highlighting their strong performance in the league. In a crucial game against Quebradillas, Early Jr. demonstrated his versatility by scoring 6 points, grabbing 3 rebounds, and distributing 3 assists, ultimately aiding his team in securing the victory and emerging as the finalist. His consistent performance throughout the season has been notable, with an average of 5.7 points, 2.4 rebounds, and 1.2 assists per game across 22 games played this year.
Other former Southern Illinois University players, who play in pro basketball:
Barret Benson (6'10''-C-1997, played in 2019-20) plays for Gornik Zamek Ksiaz Walbrzych in Polish OBL
Xavier Johnson (6'1''-G-2000, played in 2022-24) plays for HAKRO Merlins Crailsheim in German ProA
JD Muila (6'8''-F-1999, played in 2020-23) plays for Nevezis in Lithuanian LKL
Ben Coupet Jr. (6'7''-G-1998, played in 2021-22) plays for Grand Rapids Gold in the NBA G League
Kavion Pippen (6'10''-C-1996, played in 2017-19) played for Maine Celtics in the NBA G League few monts ago
Jarrett Hensley (6'8''-F-2000, played in 2023-25) plays for Miasto Szkla Krosno in Polish OBL
Troy D'Amico (6'7''-F-2002, played in 2021-24) plays for B.Braun Sheffield Sharks in British SLB
Armon Fletcher (6'5''-SG-1995, played in 2014-14) played for Taranaki Airs in New Zealand NBL last year
Anthony Beane (6'2''-G-1994, played in 2012-16) played for Pelita Jaya in Indonesian IBL last year
Thik Bol (6'8''-F-1996, played in 2016-22) played for Brissac-Aubance in French NM2 last year
Michael Rodriguez (5'10''-PG-1994, played in 2015-17) played for Lenfer in Cape Verdean ACVB last year
Lance Jones (6'1''-G-2000, played in 2019-23) played for El Calor in Mexican LNBP last year
R.J. McGee (6'5''-G-2000, played in 2023-24) played for Lake County Legacy in the TBL last year
Sean Lloyd (6'5''-G/F-1996, played in 2015-19) played for Frontinos in Venezuelan SPB last year
Notice: The list above includes only some of alumni playing currently in pro basketball. Check complete list of Southern Illinois University basketball alumni.
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Ex-Players
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