Courtesy of Eurobasket LLC Here is the weekly review of the top performing Rebels alumni, who are currently playing in pro basketball.
Notice impressive performance of Jayveous McKinnis (16 points), Devontae Shuler (26 points), and Tomasz Gielo (16 points).
#1. Jayveous McKinnis, a 6'7'' forward who graduated from Ole Miss in 2023 and currently plays professionally in Cyprus, was instrumental in AEK Larnaca's recent win against the closely-ranked Keravnos in the Cypriot ECOMMBX Basket League. McKinnis, a standout player, delivered an outstanding performance by recording a double-double with 16 points and 17 rebounds, along with 2 blocks in 39 minutes of play. This remarkable display of skill was even more impressive considering it's only his third season in professional basketball. The game, which pitted two top 4 ranked teams against each other, ended with a 68-64 victory for AEK Larnaca, currently sitting at the top of the league with a 22-1 record. This win marked the team's fifth consecutive victory in a row, with McKinnis showcasing his talent and proving himself as a finalist on the court. Additionally, his exceptional performance earned him the prestigious Triple-Double Badge from eurobasket.com, further solidifying his reputation as a champion player. McKinnis has been posting solid stats this season, averaging 14.1 points, 9.5 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 1.3 blocks (ranking third in the league), and 1.2 steals per game.
#2. Devontae Shuler, a 6'2'' guard and 28-year-old Rebels alumni from 2021, currently plays professionally in the Dominican Republic. In a recent game last Tuesday, Shuler, despite his commendable efforts, could not lift the struggling Soles (2-13) to a victory. The team suffered a narrow 94-90 defeat at home against the higher-ranked Reales (#5). Shuler showcased his skills by being the top scorer of the game with an impressive 26 points, along with contributing 4 rebounds in 39 minutes of play. Despite his standout performance, Soles was unable to overcome the Reales. With only one more game left in the Regular Season, the upcoming match holds great importance for Shuler and his team. Throughout the season, Shuler has maintained solid statistics, averaging 14.2 points, 2.4 rebounds, 2.0 assists, and 1.4 steals per game. His talent and contributions on the court continue to make him a key player for his team as they strive for success in the league.
#3. Experienced Polish player Tomasz Gielo, standing at 6'9'' and 33 years old, graduated from Ole Miss in 2016 and currently plays professionally in Poland. In a recent game last Wednesday, Gielo was unable to assist King Szczecin (21-9) as they suffered an 86-80 defeat on the road against Zastal (#8), a lower-ranked opponent. Despite Gielo's solid performance, where he was the second-best scorer with 16 points and contributed 2 shots in 33 minutes, King Szczecin couldn't secure the victory. Gielo showcased his skills against Zastal, scoring 16 points, securing 2 rebounds, and providing 1 assist. Even though he put up an impressive performance, his team ended up as the runner-up in the game. Throughout the season, Gielo has maintained relatively good statistics, averaging 12.6 points per game, 5.6 rebounds per game, and 1.4 assists per game.
#4. Panamanian Luis Rodriguez, a 6'6'' guard at 27 years old, and an alumnus of Runnin' Rebels from 2024, showcased his skills in the recent Brazilian Novo Basquete Brasil match. Despite previously playing for Ole Miss between 2018 and 2022, he now competes professionally in Brazil. In a significant game against the closely-ranked Brasilia, with a record of 28-10, Rodriguez played a crucial role in his team's 91-74 victory. He notably scored 10 points and made 3 steals in 28 minutes of play. This game was highly anticipated as it featured two top 4 ranked teams, with Sesi/Franca Sao Paulo leading the league with a record of 32-6. Rodriguez's team secured their tenth consecutive victory, maintaining an impressive winning streak. This marks Rodriguez's first season with the team, where he has been a key player in their success. Rodriguez's impact on the game against Brasilia was undeniable, contributing not only on the offensive end with 10 points but also showcasing his defensive prowess with 3 steals and 1 assist. His exceptional performance was instrumental in leading his team to victory and ultimately crowning them as the champion in this matchup. Throughout the season, Rodriguez has maintained solid averages of 9.8 points, 4.2 rebounds, 1.3 assists, and 1.1 steals per game, further highlighting his valuable contributions to the team. His consistency and talent on the court have undoubtedly made him a standout player in the league, demonstrating why he is a force to be reckoned with as a finalist in each game he competes in.
#5. Josh Mballa, a 26-year-old forward standing at 6'7'' who graduated from Ole Miss in 2023, showcased his skills in a recent French ELITE 2 basketball game. Playing professionally in France for Elan Bearnais Pau-Lacq-Orthez, Mballa played a pivotal role in leading his team to a narrow 89-87 victory over the tenth-ranked Champagne team. In the intense match, Mballa contributed 11 points and 6 rebounds in just 22 minutes of play. Currently, Elan Bearnais Pau-Lacq-Orthez holds the second position in the league with a record of 26-12. Mballa's impressive performance against Champagne marked his team's third consecutive win, highlighting his impact since joining the team for his first season. His exceptional play on the court not only helped secure the victory but also emphasized his importance to the team's success. With a season average of 7.5 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 1.1 steals per game, Mballa has been a consistent contributor to his team's performance. Additionally, it is notable that Mballa holds both American and French citizenship, allowing him to play in France as a domestic player, further enhancing his value to the team as they aim for success in the league.
#6. Lithuanian player Justas Furmanavicius, standing at 6'7'' and 31 years old, a Rebels alumnus from 2018, showcased his skills in a recent match in the Lithuanian Betsafe Lietuvos krepsinio lyga. Playing professionally in Lithuania, he played a pivotal role in his team's dominant 93-77 victory over the closely-ranked Siauliai on Friday night. Furmanavicius notably contributed 8 points, 2 rebounds, and 1 assist in 26 minutes of play, solidifying his position as a key contributor in the game. His performance was instrumental in leading his team to emerge as the champion of the match. Throughout the season, Furmanavicius has maintained an average of 7.4 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 1.4 assists per game, showcasing his consistent and valuable presence on the court.
#7. Jarvis Summers, a 6'3'' guard who graduated from Ole Miss in 2015 and currently plays professionally in Indonesia, showcased his skills in the recent game for Hangtuah. Despite his notable performance, Hangtuah suffered a significant loss of 96-80 to Satria Muda, the second-ranked team in a derby match last Saturday. Summers demonstrated his prowess by scoring 21 points, securing 4 rebounds, and distributing 4 assists during the game, proving to be a key player for Hangtuah. His contributions on the court were commendable, but unfortunately, his team could not secure the victory against the strong opponent. Throughout the season, Summers has maintained impressive statistics, averaging 14.0 points, 6.2 rebounds, 7.8 assists, and 1.2 steals per game. Despite the recent defeat, Summers continues to be a standout player for Hangtuah, striving to lead his team to success as they progress in the league.
#8. Jarkel Joiner, a 6'1'' guard and 27-year-old Wolfpack alumni from 2023, who previously played at Ole Miss between 2019 and 2022, showcased his skills as a professional player in Canada. Joiner made a significant impact in the Vancouver Bandits' recent win against the Surge with a final score of 111-101 in the Canadian Elite Basketball League on Sunday night. Impressively, Joiner contributed 22 points, 5 rebounds, and 7 assists during the game, displaying his versatility on the court. This marked his debut game for the Vancouver Bandits this season, and he certainly made it a memorable one with his stellar performance. In a standout display of talent against Calgary, Joiner once again shined by scoring 22 points, grabbing 5 rebounds, and distributing 7 assists. His exceptional performance was instrumental in leading the team to victory, ultimately earning him the title of champion of the game.
#9. Rasheed Brooks, a 31-year-old point guard standing at 5'11" and a graduate of Ole Miss in 2017, currently playing professionally in the TBL, showcased his skills by leading 4 Bears Roar to a resounding victory over the Grant County Redtails with a score of 138-107 in a thrilling derby game in The Basketball League on Saturday night. In a standout performance, Brooks was named the MVP of the game after scoring an impressive 20 points in just 15 minutes of play. His stellar contribution included not only his scoring prowess against Grant County Redtails but also grabbing 1 rebound and providing 1 assist, instrumental in securing the win for his team and solidifying his status as the champion. Throughout the season, Brooks has maintained an impressive individual performance with notable statistics, averaging 16.4 points per game, along with 1.4 rebounds and 2.4 assists per game.
Other former The University of Mississippi players, who play in pro basketball:
Breein Tyree (6'2''-G-1998, played in 2016-20) plays for PAOK in Greek GBL
Sebastian Saiz (6'9''-PF-1994, played in 2013-17) plays for Alvark Tokyo in Japanese B1 League
D'Andre Davis (6'6''-G-2001, played in 2024-25) plays for Brooklyn Nets in the NBA
Sean Pedulla (6'1''-G-2002, played in 2024-25) plays for Los Angeles Clippers in the NBA
Jamarion Sharp (7'5''-F-2001, played in 2023-24) plays for Vaqueros de Bayamon in Puerto Rican BSN
David Huertas (6'5''-G/F-1987, played in 2005-06) plays for Cangrejeros de Santurce in Puerto Rican BSN
Stefan Moody (5'11''-PG-1993, played in 2014-16) plays for Pinar Karsiyaka SK Izmir in Turkish BSL
Trevor Gaskins (6'3''-PG-1989, played in 2007-11) plays for La Union in Argentinian La Liga
Allen Flanigan (6'6''-G-2001, played in 2023-24) plays for FC Porto in Portuguese Liga Betclic
Robert Allen (6'9''-F-2000, played in 2020-23) plays for Torino in Italian Serie A2
Davon Barnes (6'4''-G-2002, played in 2024-25) plays for Tamis PN in Serbian KLS
Chris Warren (5'10''-PG-1988, played in 2007-11) plays for TED Ankara in Turkish TBL
Malcolm Rhett (6'9''-PF-1992, played in 2014-15) played for Venados de Mazatlan in Mexican CIBACOPA few monts ago
Jaylen Murray (5'11''-PG-2003, played in 2023-25) plays for Rio Grande Valley Vipers in the NBA G League
Matthew Murrell (6'4''-G-2001, played in 2020-25) plays for Salt Lake City Stars in the NBA G League
Zach Graham (6'6''-SG-1989, played in 2007-11) played for Platense in Argentinian La Liga last year
Romello White (6'8''-PF-1998, played in 2020-21) plays for Koping Stars in Swedish Basketligan
Terence Davis (6'4''-G-1997, played in 2015-19) plays for Leones de Ponce in Puerto Rican BSN
Marcanvis Hymon (6'8''-F-1995, played in 2014-14) plays for KK Radnicki Gorazde in Bosnia and Herzegovina Division I
Jaemyn Brakefield (6'8''-F-2000, played in 2021-25) plays for Bambitious Nara in Japanese B2 League
Ja'Von Benson (6'7''-F, played in 2024-25) plays for Barsy Atyrau in Kazakhstan National League
Terrico White (6'5''-G-1990, played in 2008-10) played for Kalamunda Eastern Suns in Australian NBL One last year
Tye Fagan (6'3''-G-1999, played in 2021-23) played for Templeogue in Irish Division 1 last year
Mikeal Brown-Jones (6'8''-F-2001, played in 2024-25) plays for NTD in Azerbaijani ABL
Myles Burns (6'6''-F-2000, played in 2023-25) played for Gambusinos de Fresnillo in Mexican LNBP last year
Anthony Perez (6'9''-F-1993, played in 2012-16) plays for Marinos in Venezuelan SPB
Nysier Brooks (7'0''-C-1996, played in 2021-22) plays for Cayirova in Turkish TBL
Aaron Jones (6'9''-F/C-1993, played in 2011-15) plays for Falcons in Mongolian MBL
Theo Akwuba (6'11''-C/F-2000, played in 2022-23) plays for Angeles de Ciudad de Mexico in Mexican CIBACOPA
Reginald Buckner (6'10''-F/C-1991, played in 2009-13) played for Riachuelo LR in Argentinian La Liga last year
Markel Crawford (6'5''-G-1994, played in 2017-18) played for Gladiadores in Venezuelan SPB last year
Notice: The list above includes only some of alumni playing currently in pro basketball. Check complete list of The University of Mississippi basketball alumni.
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