Courtesy of Eurobasket LLC We bring you last week's top former Rainbow Warriors players who are currently playing in pro basketball.
#1. Australian champion Biwali Bayles, a 6'1'' guard and 24-year-old graduate of Hawaii in 2021, showcased his talent by leading the Bendigo Braves to a remarkable victory over the 14th-ranked Falcons with a score of 91-84 in the Australian NBL One, the second division league, during Saturday night's game. Bayles was rightfully awarded the MVP title of the game for his outstanding performance. He achieved a double-double by scoring 24 points, assisting with 12 passes, and securing 6 rebounds, all within 38 minutes of play. The Bendigo Braves, currently holding 12th place in the South group with a record of 6-7, celebrated their first win after a series of four consecutive losses, thanks to Bayles' stellar performance. In a standout game against Waverley F, he scored an impressive 24 points, grabbed 6 rebounds, and distributed 12 assists, leading his team to a well-deserved victory. Bayles' exceptional skills and leadership on the court truly exemplify his status as a champion. Individually, Bayles has been having a remarkable year with impressive statistics. He boasts an average of 23.5 points per game, 6.4 rebounds per game, 7.2 assists per game, and 1.6 steals per game in the 11 games he has played so far this season. His consistent high-level performance further cements his position as a true champion in the world of basketball.
#2. Justin McKoy, a 6'8'' forward and 25-year-old alum of the Rainbow Warriors from 2024, currently plays professionally in Spain. Recently, he showcased his talent by leading his team to a resounding 116-88 victory over the closely-ranked Lleida in a game in the Spanish Liga Endesa. In this game, McKoy demonstrated his skillset by scoring 10 points, grabbing 7 rebounds, and providing 3 assists in just 23 minutes of play. Despite MoraBanc Andorra's current standing as the second-to-last team (#17) in the league with a record of 10-24, McKoy's exceptional performance against Lleida highlighted his capabilities as a player and his ability to make a significant impact on the court. As a finalist, his contributions were crucial in securing the win for his team, further solidifying his reputation as a champion. Throughout the season, McKoy has maintained an average of 6.6 points per game and 3.2 rebounds per game across 32 games, showcasing his consistency and value to his team. His strong performances and dedication to the game continue to establish him as a standout player in the league.
#3. Kamaka Hepa, a 6'10'' forward who graduated from Hawaii in 2023 and received an All-Big West Honorable Mention award that year, is currently playing professionally in Croatia. Although Hepa plays for Cibona, he was unable to lead his team to victory against Split in the Croatian Favbet Premijer Liga, where Cibona faced a defeat of 78-83 on the road. Despite this loss, Hepa showcased his skills by contributing 8 points, 4 rebounds, and 1 assist in just 17 minutes of play. This game marked Hepa's first season with the team, and he has been maintaining solid statistics throughout the year, averaging 10.4 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 1.4 assists per game in 39 appearances. Even though Cibona fell short in this match, Hepa's performance against Split demonstrated his capabilities as a champion player, striving to give his best for his team.
#4. South Sudanese junior Madut, a 6'5'' guard and 29-year-old finalist from Rainbow Warriors' alumni of 2023, currently playing professionally in Australia, faced a tough challenge in his recent game with the Rockhampton Rockets. Despite his remarkable performance, where he emerged as the top scorer with 27 points, Madut's efforts were not enough to lift the struggling Rockhampton Rockets to victory. The team, currently in tenth place with a 2-5 record, suffered a significant 112-95 defeat at the hands of the higher-ranked (#8) Wizards in the North group, during the game held in Taigum. In his 35 minutes on the court, Madut showcased his skills by not only scoring but also contributing with 5 assists and 3 steals, highlighting his versatility and impact on the game. This strong performance is particularly noteworthy as Madut is only in his third season of professional basketball. Despite his individual success, the Rockhampton Rockets were unable to secure a win against the Wizards. Throughout the season, Madut has been consistently delivering impressive stats, averaging 16.0 points, 5.4 rebounds, 4.2 assists, and 1.2 steals per game over five games. His dual American and South Sudanese citizenship allows him the flexibility to play as a domestic player in South Sudan, adding to his unique profile as a talented basketball player.
#5. Australian pro basketball player Ryan Rapp, standing at an impressive 6'5'' and a guard who graduated from Hawaii in 2025, demonstrated his talent on the court by leading the Dandenong Rangers to a convincing 102-87 victory over the third-ranked Raiders in the Australian NBL One second division. In his debut season in professional basketball, Rapp delivered a stellar performance, scoring 22 points, grabbing 5 rebounds, and providing 2 assists in 35 minutes of play. These statistics are particularly noteworthy given that this is his first year in the professional basketball scene. Playing a key role for the Dandenong Rangers, currently positioned sixth in the South group with an 8-6 record, Rapp's impact on the team is undeniable. His remarkable display of skill and determination was evident in the recent game against Knox Raiders, where he played a pivotal role in securing a crucial victory. Rapp's consistent contributions on the court highlight his potential as a champion in the making. Throughout the season, Rapp has maintained solid averages of 9.9 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 2.0 assists per game across 13 appearances. His performance reflects his growing influence and significance within the team, setting the stage for a promising career ahead. Rapp's journey as a finalist in the Australian NBL One showcases his dedication to the sport and his potential to rise as a true champion in the realm of professional basketball.
#6. Experienced Serbian Stefan Jankovic, a towering 6'11'' center and 32-year-old alum of the Rainbow Warriors class of 2016, currently showcases his skills playing professionally in Taiwan. His remarkable performance was pivotal in the Taipei Fubon Braves' recent triumph over the Ghosthawks, one of the league's less competitive teams, with a resounding score of 109-79 in a Taiwanese P. League+ match held on Thursday night. Jankovic, who had previously earned the prestigious All-Big West Player of the Year award during his college days, displayed his prowess on the court by achieving a double-double with 18 points, 11 rebounds, and 5 assists in just 23 minutes of play against the Ghosthawks. This outstanding performance not only secured the victory for his team but also garnered him the esteemed Triple-Double Badge from eurobasket.com, further solidifying his reputation as a true champion. Throughout this season, Jankovic has maintained impressive statistics, averaging 13.6 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 2.9 assists per game across 14 appearances. Additionally, it is worth noting that he holds a Canadian passport, showcasing his international background and versatility both on and off the court. Jankovic's consistent contributions and exceptional skills continue to exemplify his status as a top-tier player and a notable finalist in the world of professional basketball.
#7. Australian Jack Purchase, a 30-year-old forward standing at 6'8'' and a graduate of Hawaii in 2019, has been making waves in the Australian basketball scene. Playing professionally in Australia, he recently showcased his talent by leading the Melbourne Tigers to a decisive 95-83 victory over the ninth-ranked Cobras in the Australian NBL One, the second division league. In a standout performance on Saturday night, Purchase proved his worth by recording an impressive 27 points and contributing 4 assists in 37 minutes of play. His remarkable display of skill and leadership earned him the title of MVP of the game. Particularly noteworthy was his exceptional performance against Kilsyth C, where he not only scored 27 points but also secured 3 rebounds and provided 4 assists, ultimately leading his team to victory and solidifying his status as the champion of the game. Throughout the season, Purchase has maintained high statistics, averaging 18.9 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 5.0 assists per game across 10 games. His consistent performance and significant contributions have undoubtedly made him a key player for the Melbourne Tigers and a force to be reckoned with in the Australian basketball scene.
#8. Indonesian champion Brandon Jawato, a 6'4'' forward and 32-year-old Rainbow Warriors alumnus from 2015, showcased his skills in the Indonesian Basketball League. Jawato, who helped his alma mater reach the final of the Big West Tournament in 2015, now plays professionally in Indonesia. In a recent game, he played a pivotal role for Pelita Jaya Bakrie Jakarta, as they secured a dominant 98-57 victory over the eighth-ranked RANS PIK. Despite scoring only 3 points in 12 minutes of play, Jawato's contributions went beyond the stat sheet. He added 2 rebounds to his 3-point performance, significantly impacting the game and aiding his team in clinching the win. Jawato's efforts were instrumental in guiding his team to victory and ultimately earning them the champion title in the league. Throughout this season, Jawato has maintained an average of 3.0 points per game across two games, showcasing his consistency and value to his team.
#9. Canadian Paul Campbell, a 6'10'' center/forward who is 38 years old and graduated from Hawaii in 2011, currently plays professionally in Australia. In a recent game, Campbell and his team, Northern Force, faced the Blues but were unable to secure a victory. Despite his efforts, Campbell's performance fell short of his best, as he only scored 3 points, collected 7 rebounds, and blocked 2 shots in 21 minutes of play. Northern Force ultimately lost the game to the Blues with a score of 85-96. In a separate game against Frankston B, Campbell showcased a stronger performance, scoring 3 points, grabbing 7 rebounds, and contributing 1 assist. However, his efforts were not enough to lead his team to victory on that occasion. Throughout the season, Campbell has been averaging 2.4 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 1.2 assists per game across five games. While he continues to be a valuable asset to his team, he is striving to improve his contributions on the court to help lead Northern Force to success against tough opponents.
Other former University of Hawaii players, who play in pro basketball:
Isaac Fotu (6'8''-PF-1993, played in 2012-15) plays for Link Tochigi Brex Utsunomiya in Japanese B1 League
Garrett Nevels (6'2''-G-1992, played in 2013-15) plays for Uralmash in Russian VTB United League
Jared Dillinger (6'5''-G/F-1984, played in 2004-05) played for Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Kings in Filipino PBA few monts ago
Ozren Pavlovic (6'8''-F-1994, played in 2012-13) played for Levice in Slovakian Tipos SBL last year
Roy Igwe (6'7''-F-2004, played in 2024-25) plays for Kawasaki Brave Thunders in Japanese B1 League
Samuta Avea (6'6''-F/G-1998, played in 2017-23) plays for Champagne in French ProB
Bernardo Da Silva (6'9''-F-2000, played in 2019-24) plays for Fortaleza B.C. Cearense in Brazilian NBB
Noel Coleman (6'2''-G-2000, played in 2020-24) plays for House of Talents Kortrijk Spurs in Belgian Pro Basketball League
Zigmars Raimo (6'8''-PF-1997, played in 2016-20) played for Rigas Zelli in Latvian LBL last year
Christian Standhardinger (6'9''-F-1989, played in 2011-11) played for Terrafirma Dyip in Filipino PBA last year
Brandon Spearman (6'3''-G/F-1991, played in 2012-14) plays for Titanes in Dominican Rep. LNB
Ido Flaisher (6'10''-C-1998, played in 2016-18) plays for Ashkelon in Israeli National League
Tanner Christensen (6'10''-C-2000, played in 2024-25) plays for Anorthosis in Cypriot ECOMMBX BL
Owen Hulland (7'0''-PF-1999, played in 2018-20) played for Forestville Eagles in Australian NBL One last year
Noah Allen (6'7''-SF-1995, played in 2016-17) plays for Obera in Argentinian La Liga
JoVon McClanahan (5'10''-PG, played in 2020-24) played for Bordeaux in French NM2 last year
Valdelicio Joaquim (6'10''-C-1990, played in 2010-13) plays for Etoile Charleville-Mezieres in French NM1
Davis Rozitis (7'0''-C-1990, played in 2010-10) played for BK Cesis SK in Latvian RBL last year
Manel Ayol (6'7''-F, played in 2020-21) played for Blackburn Vikings in Australian Big V last year
Sheriff Drammeh (6'3''-G-1996, played in 2015-19) plays for AIK Basket in Swedish Superettan
Negus Webster-Chan (6'7''-G-1993, played in 2013-13) played for Piratas in Venezuelan SPB last year
Notice: The list above includes only some of alumni playing currently in pro basketball. Check complete list of University of Hawaii basketball alumni.
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