Courtesy of Eurobasket LLC We bring you last week's top former Skyhawks players who are currently playing in pro basketball.
Look at great performance of Quintin Dove (39 points), Matthew Butler (12 points), and Eman Sertovic (11 points).
#1. Quintin Dove, a 6'6'' forward who graduated from UT Martin in 2020 and received the All-OVC First Team award that year, is currently playing professionally in Australia. In a recent game in the Australian NBL One second division, Dove led the Northside Wizards to a resounding 112-95 victory over the tenth-ranked Rockets (2-5). His exceptional performance on Saturday night earned him the MVP title, as he scored an incredible 39 points and provided 3 assists during his 37 minutes on the court. Northside Wizards, currently positioned eighth in the North group with a 3-5 record, have greatly benefited from Dove's outstanding contributions. In a standout display against Rockhampton R., Dove not only scored an impressive 39 points but also contributed 3 rebounds and 3 assists, showcasing his skills as a true champion. His remarkable performance played a crucial role in securing the victory for his team. Individually, Dove has been having an exceptional season, boasting high statistics. He currently averages 28.6 points per game, ranking as the third-best scorer in the league, along with 4.8 rebounds and 2.0 assists in the eight games he has played so far. Dove's consistent and stellar performance on the court further solidifies his reputation as a standout player and a true champion.
#2. Matthew Butler, a 6'2'' guard and 31-year-old Skyhawks alumnus from 2018 currently playing professionally in Mexico, displayed his prowess on the court by leading Pioneros de Los Mochis to a narrow 90-88 victory over the second-ranked Frayles de Guasave in a recent Mexican Circuito de Baloncesto de la Costa del Pacifico game. In this intense matchup, Butler showcased his talent by contributing 12 points, securing 6 rebounds, and providing 3 assists in just 32 minutes of play. This remarkable performance not only helped secure the win for Pioneros de Los Mochis but also highlighted Butler's capabilities as a champion player. Despite Pioneros de Los Mochis currently holding the eighth position in the league with an 18-22 record, Butler's leadership and skills on the court have undoubtedly been instrumental in the team's success. Throughout the season, Butler has maintained an average of 9.5 points, 2.7 rebounds, and 4.1 assists per game across 41 games, further solidifying his position as a standout finalist in the league.
#3. In a thrilling match on Saturday night, Bosnia and Herzegovina's Eman Sertovic, a 26-year-old 6'5'' shooting guard who graduated from UT Martin in 2021 and currently plays professionally in Hungary, showcased his skills as he led OSE Lions to a remarkable 96-86 victory against the leading team, Duna Aszfalt. Sertovic, the finalist, contributed 11 points, 3 rebounds, and 2 assists in his 29 minutes on the court, playing a pivotal role in securing the win for his team. This crucial game between two top 3 ranked teams in the Play-Out group was a standout event, with MVM-Oroszlanyi Sportegylet E Lionsis positioned second in the standings. Notably, this is Sertovic's first season with the team, and his performance against Duna Aszfalt further solidified his position as the champion. With an impressive season average of 13.3 points, 2.2 rebounds, and 2.5 assists per game in 24 appearances, Sertovic has been a key player for OSE Lions throughout the season.
#4. In the recent game, Craig Randall II, a 6'4'' shooting guard and Skyhawks alumni from 2020, showcased an impressive performance for the Tigers despite their narrow loss to FUS Rabat. The Tigers, who were leading the league, were edged out 99-98 by the lower-ranked FUS Rabat. Randall II, the top scorer of the game with 43 points, also contributed 4 rebounds, 7 assists, and 4 steals during his 40 minutes on the court. Although Randall II's outstanding efforts weren't enough to secure a victory for the Tigers, his remarkable skills and contributions did not go unnoticed. His exceptional performance against FUS Rabat led to him being recognized with the Elite Badge from eurobasket.com, solidifying his status as a true champion in the world of basketball. Throughout the season, Randall II has maintained impressive individual statistics, averaging 36.6 points, 4.1 rebounds, 5.1 assists, and 1.7 steals per game over the course of seven games. His consistent high-level play demonstrates his talent and dedication to the sport. It's also noteworthy that Randall II's participation in the Eurobasket Summer League played a crucial role in helping him secure a professional basketball opportunity, further highlighting his commitment to improving and succeeding in his basketball career.
#5. In the recent game against the Kokomo Bobkats, Derek Hawthorne Jr., a 6'4'' guard who graduated from UT Martin in 2020 and currently plays professionally in the TBL, displayed an outstanding performance for the Lebanon Leprechauns despite their 147-152 loss on the road. Hawthorne Jr. emerged as the second-best scorer of the game, contributing 30 points, along with 8 rebounds, 6 assists, and 4 steals in 46 minutes of play. Although Hawthorne Jr. showcased his talent with an impressive stat line, including 30 points, 8 rebounds, and 6 assists against the Kokomo Bobkats, his efforts were not enough to secure a victory for the Lebanon Leprechauns. Throughout the season, Hawthorne Jr. has maintained high statistics, averaging 20.4 points, 5.2 rebounds, 3.4 assists, and 1.4 steals per game over 23 games, reflecting his consistent performance as a standout player in the league.
Other former University of Tennessee at Martin players, who play in pro basketball:
Nikas Stuknys (6'7''-G-2005, played in 2026-27) plays for Rytas in Lithuanian LKL
KK Curry (6'7''-F-2000, played in 2021-24) plays for Akhaltsikhe in Georgian A League
Bernie Andre (6'6''-SF-1997, played in 2021-22) plays for Olomoucko in Czech Republic NBL
Hannes Polla (6'11''-C-1998, played in 2019-21) plays for KTP-Basket in Finnish Korisliiga
Issa Muhammad (6'11''-F-2001, played in 2023-24) plays for Keila KK in Estonian KML
Khristian Taylor (6'2''-G-1992, played in 2011-16) played for C.A.M Smart Assurance Agent Inc. Heat in Barbados D2 few monts ago
M.J. Brown (6'0''-G-1990, played in 2008-26) plays for Buckingham Browne & Nichols School in the
KJ Simon (6'3''-G-1999, played in 2021-23) played for Angeles de Ciudad de Mexico in Mexican CIBACOPA last year
Malik London (6'8''-F-1992, played in 2014-17) plays for Columbus Wizards in the TBL
Notice: The list above includes only some of alumni playing currently in pro basketball. Check complete list of University of Tennessee at Martin basketball alumni.
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Ex-Players
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