Courtesy of Eurobasket LLC Here is the weekly review of the top performing Wildcats alumni, who are currently playing in pro basketball.
#1. Lithuanian champion Azuolas Tubelis, a 6'11'' forward/center who is 24 years old and graduated from Arizona in 2023, currently plays professionally in Lithuania. Recently, Tubelis was instrumental in Zalgiris' victory over the fifth-ranked Lietkabelis, as his team triumphed 95-75 in a Lithuanian Betsafe Lietuvos krepsinio lyga game on Thursday night. During the game, Tubelis showcased his skills by scoring 24 points, grabbing 5 rebounds, and providing 1 assist in just 22 minutes of play. This remarkable performance is particularly impressive considering that Tubelis is only in his third season of professional basketball. Zalgiris Kaunas, where Tubelis currently plays, holds the top spot in the league with a record of 31-1, and this win marked the team's 27th consecutive victory. Notably, this is Tubelis' first year with Zalgiris, and he has been making a significant impact with his average of 12.6 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 1.2 assists per game in the 29 games he has played so far this season. Tubelis' exceptional display on the court against Lietkabelis not only helped lead his team to victory but also reinforced his position as a finalist in the making.
#2. Kobi Simmons, a 28-year-old guard standing at 6'5'' and an alum of the Wildcats from 2017, has been making waves in the professional basketball scene in Spain. Currently playing for Cazoo Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz, Simmons recently played a crucial role in their narrow 92-89 victory over Unicaja, the ninth-ranked team in the Spanish Liga Endesa. Simmons showcased his skills by contributing 17 points and 5 assists, including a perfect record from the free-throw line, all in just 24 minutes of gameplay. Cazoo Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz, with a record of 25-9, holds the third position in the league standings, thanks in part to Simmons' stellar performance. The team has been on a winning streak, securing their sixth consecutive victory. With only one more game left in the Regular Season, every match is critical for the team's playoff hopes. Simmons, in his first season with the team, has been a key player, averaging impressive stats of 12.6 points, 2.1 rebounds, and 2.6 assists per game over 27 appearances. His impact on the court against Unicaja exemplifies his prowess and contribution to the team, proving why he is a champion player in every sense.
#3. Experienced champion Kyle Fogg, a 6'3'' guard who is 36 years old and graduated from Arizona in 2012 with an All-Pac First Team award, currently plays professionally in China. In a recent game, Fogg, despite his impressive performance, was unable to lead the Shanghai Sharks (38-4) to victory as they fell 93-101 on the road to the Guangsha Lions, who are ranked second in the league. Fogg showcased his skills by scoring 22 points, collecting 4 rebounds, and dishing out 3 assists in just 28 minutes of play. This season marks Fogg's first with the Shanghai Sharks, and he has maintained relatively good statistics, averaging 10.5 points, 2.0 rebounds, and 1.9 assists per game over 50 games. Despite the outcome of the game, Fogg's exceptional performance against the Guangsha Lions highlighted why he is recognized as a finalist in the making.
#4. Nicolo Mannion, a 6'3'' point guard and 25-year-old Wildcats alumni from 2020, currently plays professionally in Italy. Known for his exceptional skills, Mannion recently showcased his talent in a game against the closely-ranked Brescia, where his team emerged victorious with a commanding 93-68 win in the Italian Serie A. In this crucial game between two top 4 ranked teams, Mannion contributed significantly by scoring 10 points in just 17 minutes of play. Playing for AX Armani Exchange Milano, currently placed third in the league with a record of 20-8, Mannion's performance against Brescia was instrumental in securing his team's fourth consecutive victory. His impressive stat line of 10 points, 2 rebounds, and 2 assists highlighted his impact on the court and emphasized his importance to the team's success. Throughout the season, Mannion has maintained solid averages of 6.5 points, 1.3 rebounds, and 2.6 assists per game in 31 appearances. Noteworthy is the fact that Mannion holds both American and Italian citizenship, allowing him to play in Italy as a domestic player, further enhancing his value to his team. With his consistent contributions and versatile skill set, Mannion continues to prove himself as a key player for his team in the Italian Serie A.
#5. Nick Johnson, a 6'3'' guard who graduated from Arizona in 2014 and received the All-Pac Player of the Year award that same year, currently plays professional basketball in France. Despite his exceptional performance, Johnson was unable to lead Saint-Quentin Basket-Ball to victory against Poitiers in the French ELITE 2 league. In a closely contested match, Johnson showcased his skills by scoring 9 points, grabbing 8 rebounds, and providing 5 assists in 33 minutes of play. However, his team fell short, losing 76-73 to Poitiers on their home court in the Play-Out group. Johnson's impressive individual performance throughout the game included his notable contributions of 9 points, 8 rebounds, and 5 assists. Despite his outstanding efforts, Saint-Quentin Basket-Ball could not secure the win against the lower-ranked Poitiers, who emerged victorious in the end. Throughout the season, Johnson has maintained high statistics, averaging 20.0 points per game, 7.0 rebounds per game, 5.3 assists per game, and 2.0 steals per game across three games. His consistent performance highlights his value as a key player for his team in the league.
#6. Chase Jeter, a 6'10'' center/forward who is 28 years old and an alumnus of the Wildcats from 2020, currently plays professionally in New Zealand. In the recent game, he was unable to lead the struggling Hawkes Bay Hawks (2-9) to victory as they fell short against the higher-ranked (#8) Tauranga, losing 88-94 on the road. Despite the defeat, Jeter delivered an impressive performance, recording a double-double with 20 points and 13 rebounds, along with 4 assists, during his 34 minutes on the court. His all-around contribution was highlighted by his exceptional stat line of 20 points, 13 rebounds, and 4 assists against Tauranga, showcasing his prowess and versatility in the game. Despite his stellar efforts, the Hawks were unable to secure the win. Jeter's notable performance in the game earned him the Triple-Double Badge from eurobasket.com, recognizing his outstanding achievement as a champion player. Throughout the season, Jeter has maintained solid statistics, averaging 13.3 points, 9.3 rebounds, and 3.0 assists per game in six appearances, further solidifying his reputation as a finalist player in the league.
#7. Carter Bryant, a 6'8'' forward who is 20 years old and graduated from Arizona in 2025 after helping them reach the final of the Big 12 Tournament, now plays professionally in the NBA. Recently, he made a significant contribution to the San Antonio Spurs' victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder, with a final score of 118-91 in a game held on Thursday night. Despite scoring only 2 points and grabbing 4 rebounds in just 8 minutes of play, Bryant's impact on the court was crucial in his team's success that evening. His performance demonstrated his capabilities as a champion player. Throughout this season, Bryant has maintained an average of 3.9 points per game and 2.4 rebounds per game across 89 games. His consistent contributions on the court underline his potential as a finalist player in the making.
#8. Mali Oumar Ballo, a 7'0'' center and 23-year-old Hoosiers alumni from 2025, previously played in Arizona between 2021 and 2024 before moving on to play professionally in Rwanda. He recently led his Rwandan team, Tigers, to a thrilling 90-88 victory against the closely-ranked P.Luanda in a Basketball Africa League game on Sunday night. In this game, Ballo showcased his skills by contributing 11 points and 4 rebounds in just 22 minutes of play, proving instrumental in securing the win for his team. Ballo's impressive performance against P.Luanda highlighted his capabilities as a champion on the court. Throughout the current season, he has maintained solid statistics, averaging 12.5 points per game, 10.0 rebounds per game (ranking fourth best in the league), and 1.8 blocks per game (also fourth best in the league) across four games. His consistent contributions and strong presence on the court demonstrate his value as a finalist in the league.
#9. Trey Townsend, a 6'6'' forward who graduated from Arizona in 2025, is currently playing professionally in Canada. Recently, he showcased his skills by leading the Saskatchewan Mamba to a thrilling 2-point victory over the Sea Bears with a final score of 100-98 in a Canadian Elite Basketball League game on Friday night. In this game, Townsend contributed 11 points in just 22 minutes of play. Moreover, Townsend displayed his talent and determination in another game against Winnipeg, where he scored 11 points and secured 1 rebound. His performance was instrumental in helping his team clinch the victory and ultimately emerge as the finalist. Throughout the season, Townsend has been maintaining an average of 6.5 points per game and 2.8 rebounds per game over six games.
Other former University of Arizona players, who play in pro basketball:
Keshad Johnson (6'7''-F-2001, played in 2023-24) plays for Miami Heat in the NBA
Aaron Gordon (6'9''-PF-1995, played in 2013-14) plays for Denver Nuggets in the NBA
Christian Koloko (7'0''-C-2000, played in 2019-22) plays for Atlanta Hawks in the NBA
Caleb Love (6'4''-G-2001, played in 2024-25) plays for Portland Trail Blazers in the NBA
Pelle Larsson (6'6''-G-2001, played in 2021-24) plays for Miami Heat in the NBA
Josh Green (6'5''-G-2000, played in 2019-20) plays for Charlotte Hornets in the NBA
Lauri Markkanen (7'0''-F/C-1997, played in 2016-17) plays for Utah Jazz in the NBA
Zeke Nnaji (6'10''-PF-2001, played in 2019-20) plays for Denver Nuggets in the NBA
T.J. McConnell (6'1''-G-1992, played in 2012-12) plays for Indiana Pacers in the NBA
Brandon Williams (6'1''-PG-1999, played in 2018-19) plays for Dallas Mavericks in the NBA
Dalen Terry (6'7''-G-2002, played in 2020-22) plays for Philadelphia 76ers in the NBA
Bennedict Mathurin (6'6''-G/F-2002, played in 2020-22) plays for Los Angeles Clippers in the NBA
DeAndre Ayton (7'0''-C-1998, played in 2017-18) plays for Los Angeles Lakers in the NBA
Cedric Henderson Jr. (6'6''-G/F-2000, played in 2023-23) plays for Siauliai in Lithuanian LKL
Grant Jerrett (6'10''-C-1993, played in 2012-13) plays for Link Tochigi Brex Utsunomiya in Japanese B1 League
Dusan Ristic (7'0''-C-1995, played in 2014-18) plays for Kawasaki Brave Thunders in Japanese B1 League
Derrick Williams (6'8''-F-1991, played in 2009-11) plays for Suwon KT Sonicboom in South Korean KBL
Courtney Ramey (6'3''-G-1999, played in 2022-23) plays for PGE Start Lublin in Polish OBL
Rawle Alkins (6'6''-SG-1997, played in 2016-18) plays for Kumamoto Volters in Japanese B2 League
Brandon Randolph (6'6''-G/F-1997, played in 2017-19) plays for Zhejiang Golden Bulls in Chinese CBA
Gabe York (6'3''-SG-1993, played in 2012-16) plays for Zhejiang Golden Bulls in Chinese CBA
Dylan Smith (6'5''-SG-1997, played in 2016-16) plays for Argentino in Argentinian La Liga
Justin Kier (6'4''-G-1998, played in 2021-22) played for Den Bosch in Dutch DBL few monts ago
Rondae Hollis-Jefferson (6'7''-F/C-1995, played in 2013-15) plays for Meralco Bolts in Filipino PBA
Parker Jackson-Cartwright (5'11''-PG-1995, played in 2014-18) plays for Nanjing Monkey Kings in Chinese CBA
Ryan Luther (6'9''-PF-1995, played in 2018-19) plays for Osaka Evessa in Japanese B1 League
Keanu Pinder (6'11''-F/C-1995, played in 2016-18) plays for Akita Northern Happinets in Japanese B1 League
Kaleb Tarczewski (7'0''-C-1993, played in 2012-16) plays for Yokohama B-Corsairs in Japanese B1 League
Terry Armstrong (6'7''-G-2000, played in 2019-20) plays for Madzari in North Macedonian Super League
Matthew Lang (6'3''-G, played in 2022-23) played for East Perth Eagles in Australian NBL One last year
Ira Lee (6'8''-F-1998, played in 2017-21) plays for Ramat Hasharon in Israeli National League
Kadeem Allen (6'2''-G-1993, played in 2014-14) plays for Juvi Cremona in Italian Serie A2
Brandon Ashley (6'9''-PF-1994, played in 2012-15) plays for Altiri Chiba in Japanese B1 League
Mark Lyons (6'1''-G-1989, played in 2012-13) plays for Brillantes in Venezuelan SPB
Stanley Johnson (6'7''-SF-1996, played in 2014-15) plays for Nagasaki Velca in Japanese B1 League
Notice: The list above includes only some of alumni playing currently in pro basketball. Check complete list of University of Arizona basketball alumni.
|
|
|
Ex-Players
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
