Courtesy of Eurobasket LLC We bring you last week's top former Gators players who are currently playing in pro basketball.
Especially interesting is good performance of Nick Calathes (12 points), Devin Robinson (12 points), and Walter Hodge (18 points).
#1. Experienced Greek player Nick Calathes, a 6'5'' point guard at 37 years old who graduated from Florida in 2009 and received the NABC Division I All-District 21 First Team award that year, is currently playing professionally in Serbia. In a recent game last Friday, Calathes was unable to assist Partizan, who is currently in 17th place, in their match against the lower-ranked FMP BG (#21) in the Joined in Play-Off group. Despite his solid contribution of 12 points in just 17 minutes of play, Partizan suffered a 92-79 defeat in a derby game. This marks Calathes' first season with the team, and he showcased his skills against FMP BG by scoring 12 points, securing 3 rebounds, and providing 1 assist. Nevertheless, despite his commendable performance, his team fell short and ended up losing the match. Throughout this season, Calathes has been maintaining an average of 6.7 points, 2.3 rebounds, 3.0 assists, and 1.7 steals per game. It is worth noting that Calathes is a naturalized American player.
#2. Devin Robinson, a 30-year-old forward standing at 6'8'' and an alumnus of the Gators from 2017, currently playing professionally in Spain, showcased his leadership by guiding Casademont Zaragoza to a thrilling 1-point victory against the 11th-ranked Breogan Lugo with a final score of 95-94 in the Spanish Liga Endesa on Friday night. In an impressive double-double performance, Robinson contributed 12 points, secured 10 rebounds, and made 3 steals during his 31 minutes on the court. Casademont Zaragoza, currently ranked 15th in the league with a record of 10-24, has one final game left in the Regular Season, a crucial match that could potentially impact their standings. Robinson's exceptional display of skill and determination in the recent game, where he not only scored 12 points and grabbed 10 rebounds but also provided 1 assist against Rio Breogan, was instrumental in his team's victory, earning him the title of the champion of the game. Throughout the season, Robinson has maintained solid statistics, averaging 14.5 points per game, 5.5 rebounds per game, and 1.2 steals per game, showcasing his consistent performance and valuable contribution to his team's success. With his standout performances and contributions, Robinson has proven to be a key player for Casademont Zaragoza as they aim for further success in the upcoming games.
#3. Walter Hodge, a 39-year-old guard from the U.S. Virgin Islands standing at 6'0'' and a graduate of Florida in 2009, showcased his skills as a professional basketball player in Puerto Rico. In a recent game, he played a pivotal role in Cangrejeros de Santurce's thrilling 95-92 victory over the league leaders Atleticos, contributing 18 points and 3 steals in just 23 minutes of play. With this impressive performance, Hodge helped his team secure their fifth consecutive win, positioning Cangrejeros de Santurce in fifth place in Group B. His standout 18-point game against San German was instrumental in leading his team to become the champion in that match. Throughout the season, Hodge has maintained solid statistics, averaging 12.5 points, 1.2 rebounds, 3.6 assists, and 1.3 steals per game. Notably, he holds dual American and U.S. Virgin Islands citizenship, allowing him to play as a domestic player in the U.S. Virgin Islands.
#4. Russian player Samson Ruzhentsev, a 24-year-old forward standing at 6'7'' and an alumnus of the Gators class of 2021, currently plays professionally in Russia. In a recent VTB United League match on Tuesday night, Ruzhentsev made a significant impact, helping his team secure a dominant 91-63 victory over the closely-ranked UNICS team, who had a record of 33-7. Despite playing for 22 minutes, Ruzhentsev managed to contribute 7 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 assists to his team's impressive win. The matchup between Ruzhentsev's team and UNICS was highly anticipated as both teams were among the top 4 ranked teams in the league. PBC CSKA Moscow, with a record of 37-3, currently holds the top position in the league standings. This victory marked Ruzhentsev's team's tenth consecutive win, showcasing their dominance in the league. This season marks Ruzhentsev's first with the team, and he has been proving himself as a valuable asset with an average of 8.3 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 1.2 assists per game. His impressive performance against UNICS highlighted his skills and contribution as a true champion on the court, guiding his team to success in the game.
#5. In a thrilling match on Monday night in the French Betclic ELITE league, the 29-year-old champion Central Africa Kevarrius Hayes, standing at 6'9'' and playing as a center, showcased his skills for AS Monaco Basket. Despite scoring just 4 points in 15 minutes, Hayes played a vital role in his team's impressive 103-88 victory over the closely-ranked JSF Nanterre (21-9). This game, a clash between two top 4 ranked teams, was crucial for AS Monaco Basket, currently holding the top spot in the league with a record of 23-7. Hayes, who graduated from Florida in 2019 and now plays professionally in France, is in his first season with the team. His contribution of 4 points and 1 rebound against Nanterre proved to be instrumental in securing the win for his team, ultimately leading them to success and earning the title of champion. Throughout the season, Hayes has been maintaining averages of 7.4 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks per game, showcasing his versatility and impact on the court. Despite being a naturalized American, Hayes has quickly established himself as a key player for AS Monaco Basket, demonstrating his skills and determination on the path to becoming a finalist.
#6. Canadian champion Tyrese Samuel, a 6'10'' forward at 25 years old and a Gators alumni from 2024, showcased his skills by leading the Vancouver Bandits to a 110-100 victory over the River Lions in the Canadian Elite Basketball League. In an impressive performance, Samuel was named the MVP of the game as he notched a double-double with 29 points and 14 rebounds in just 33 minutes on the court. In another game against the Niagara team, Samuel once again displayed his talent by scoring 29 points, securing 14 rebounds, and contributing 2 assists to secure a win for his team. This exceptional performance led to Samuel being awarded the Triple-Double Badge from eurobasket.com, further solidifying his reputation as a finalist player. Throughout the season, Samuel has maintained stellar individual statistics, averaging 20.1 points per game, 9.1 rebounds (ranking third best in the league), and 2.7 assists per game. His consistent high-level performance on the court highlights his status as a true champion in the world of basketball.
#7. Alex Fudge, a 6'8'' forward at 23 years old who graduated from Florida in 2023 and currently plays professionally in Canada, was instrumental in leading the Ottawa Blackjacks to a 90-79 victory over the Alliance in the Canadian Elite Basketball League on Sunday night. During the game, Fudge showcased his skills by scoring 11 points, securing 6 rebounds, and distributing 5 assists in just 26 minutes of play. In another remarkable performance against Montreal, Fudge once again proved his worth by contributing 11 points, 6 rebounds, and 5 assists to help his team secure the win. His exceptional abilities on the court clearly demonstrate why he is considered a true champion. Throughout the season, Fudge has maintained solid statistics, averaging 11.5 points, 6.3 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 1.8 blocks per game (the second-best in the league), and 1.5 steals per game.
Other former University of Florida players, who play in pro basketball:
Scottie Wilbekin (6'2''-G-1993, played in 2010-14) plays for Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul in Turkish BSL
Egor Koulechov (6'5''-G/F-1994, played in 2017-18) plays for Hapoel Shlomo Tel-Aviv in Israeli Winner League
Wilfried Yeguete (6'8''-C/F-1991, played in 2010-14) plays for Le Mans Sarthe Basket in French Betclic ELITE ProA
Dorian Finney-Smith (6'7''-F-1993, played in 2012-12) plays for Houston Rockets in the NBA
Alijah Martin (6'2''-G-2001, played in 2024-25) plays for Toronto Raptors in the NBA
Zyon Pullin (6'4''-G-2001, played in 2023-24) plays for Minnesota Timberwolves in the NBA
Will Richard (6'4''-G-2002, played in 2022-25) plays for Golden State Warriors in the NBA
Bradley Beal (6'4''-G-1993, played in 2011-12) plays for Los Angeles Clippers in the NBA
Al Horford (6'9''-C/F-1986, played in 2004-07) plays for Golden State Warriors in the NBA
Colin Castleton (6'10''-C/F-2000, played in 2020-23) plays for Orlando Magic in the NBA
Walter Clayton Jr. (6'3''-G-2003, played in 2023-25) plays for Memphis Grizzlies in the NBA
Tre Mann (6'4''-G-2001, played in 2019-21) plays for Charlotte Hornets in the NBA
Kenny Boynton (6'2''-PG-1991, played in 2009-22) played for Zhejiang Guangsha Lions in Chinese CBA few monts ago
John Egbunu (6'11''-C-1994, played in 2014-14) plays for Hyundai Mobis Phoebus in South Korean KBL
Chris Chiozza (6'0''-PG-1995, played in 2014-18) plays for Cantu in Italian Serie A
Kyle Lofton (6'3''-G-1999, played in 2022-23) plays for EWE Baskets Oldenburg in German BBL
Phlandrous Fleming Jr. (6'4''-G-1998, played in 2021-23) plays for Sluc Nancy Basket Pro in French Betclic ELITE ProA
Kerry Blackshear Jr. (6'10''-F-1997, played in 2019-20) plays for Gunma Crane Thunders in Japanese B1 League
Casey Prather (6'6''-F/G-1991, played in 2010-14) plays for Brisbane Bullets in Australian NBL
KeVaughn Allen (6'2''-G-1995, played in 2015-19) plays for BBC Bayreuth in German ProA
Brandon McKissic (6'3''-F-1999, played in 2021-22) plays for CSM Steaua Bucuresti in Romanian Liga Nationala
Myreon Jones (6'3''-G-2000, played in 2023-23) plays for VfL SparkassenStars Bochum in German ProA
Anthony Duruji (6'7''-F-1998, played in 2019-19) played for Saint Chamond Basket Valle du Gier in French ProB last year
Scottie Lewis (6'5''-G-2000, played in 2019-21) plays for Johor Tigers in Malaysian MBL
Jason Jitoboh (6'11''-C-2001, played in 2019-23) plays for Heroes in Venezuelan SPB
Michael Frazier II (6'4''-G-1994, played in 2012-15) plays for Taipei Taishin Mars in Taiwanese TPBL
Chris Walker (6'10''-PF-1994, played in 2013-15) played for Osceola Magic in the NBA G League last year
Jalen Hudson (6'6''-G/F-1996, played in 2016-16) plays for Hefei in Chinese NBL
Corey Brewer (6'9''-G/F-1986, played in 2004-07) played for Houston Rig Hands in the Big3 last year
Alex Tyus (6'8''-C-1988, played in 2007-11) plays for Bordo in Turkish TBL
Notice: The list above includes only some of alumni playing currently in pro basketball. Check complete list of University of Florida basketball alumni.
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Ex-Players
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