Courtesy of Eurobasket LLC Here is the weekly review of the top performing Stags alumni, who are currently playing in pro basketball.
Look at great performance of Derek Needham (13 points), Jonathan Kasibabu (15 points), and Jesus Cruz (3 points).
#1. Experienced Montenegrin champion, Derek Needham, a 5'11'' point guard at 35 years old, graduated from Fairfield in 2013 where he earned an All-MAAC Second Team award. Currently playing professionally in Spain, Needham recently couldn't lead Basquet Girona (13-20) to victory in their latest game. Despite his commendable performance, Girona suffered an 80-86 defeat on the road against the higher-ranked (#7) Surne Bilbao. In the game, Needham was the second-best scorer for Girona, contributing 13 points along with 4 assists in 27 minutes of play. This loss marked Basquet Girona's fourth consecutive defeat. With only one more game left in the Regular Season, Needham's team faces a crucial match ahead. Against Bilbao, Needham displayed his skills by scoring 13 points, grabbing 3 rebounds, and distributing 4 assists, showcasing his talent on the court despite the team's loss. Throughout this year, Needham has maintained an average of 9.9 points, 2.1 rebounds, and 2.7 assists per game in the 33 games he has participated in so far. Additionally, it is worth noting that Needham is a naturalized American.
#2. DR Congolese Jonathan Kasibabu, a 30-year-old forward standing at 6'8'' and an alumnus of Stags from 2019, currently playing professionally in Spain, showcased his prowess on the court in a recent game. Leading Fuenlabrada to a thrilling victory against the third-ranked Zunder Palencia with a score of 88-81 in the Spanish Primera FEB (second division), Kasibabu played a vital role. Scoring 15 points and securing 8 rebounds in just 23 minutes of play, his contribution was instrumental in the team's success. Flexicar Fuenlabrada Madrid, currently placed seventh in the league with an 18-13 record, has been benefiting from Kasibabu's stellar performances. The recent win marked the team's fifth consecutive victory, emphasizing their strong form. Kasibabu's consistent performance throughout the season is evident from his average of 8.8 points per game and 4.6 rebounds per game across the 32 games he has played so far. Kasibabu's remarkable display against Palencia not only helped secure the win for his team but also highlighted why he is a champion on the court. His skills, particularly recognized when he received the All-MAAC Defensive Player of the Year award in 2019, continue to shine as he excels in the professional league in Spain.
#3. Puerto Rican player Jesus Cruz, who stands at 6'5'' and plays as a guard/forward, showcased his skills and dedication in a recent game where Gigantes de Carolina emerged victorious over the Leones. Despite scoring only 3 points during his 15 minutes on the court, Cruz's impact was undeniable. His contribution, which included 3 rebounds and 1 assist, played a crucial role in securing the win for his team, confirming his status as a true champion. Gigantes de Carolina, currently holding the third position in Group B with a record of 12-9, benefited greatly from Cruz's performance. In a previous game against Ponce, his 3-point contribution, alongside his rebounds and assist, was pivotal in their success. Cruz's consistent performance throughout the season, averaging 5.3 points, 1.4 rebounds, and 1.1 assists per game in 21 appearances, highlights his importance to the team and further solidifies his reputation as a finalist.
#4. Jake Wojcik, a 6'5'' guard and Stags alumnus from 2023 who currently plays professionally in Spain, showcased his skills by leading Badajoz Vitaly to a decisive victory over the fourth-ranked Tres Cantos with a score of 77-62 in the Spanish Tercera FEB (fourth division) last Thursday. Despite being 26 years old, Wojcik displayed his prowess on the court by contributing 11 points, 3 rebounds, and 2 assists in just 22 minutes of play. Badajozis Vitaly La Mar BC Badajoz, Wojcik's team, currently holds the top spot in Group A-1, thanks in part to his stellar performance. His remarkable display of talent against Tres Cantos not only helped secure the win but also reinforced his reputation as a true champion. Throughout the season, Wojcik has maintained solid statistics, averaging 14.6 points, 2.8 rebounds, 2.1 assists, and 1.3 steals per game over 27 matches. His consistent contributions on the court further establish him as a standout player and a formidable finalist in the league.
#5. Australian Louis Bleechmore, a 6'6'' guard/forward who graduated from Fairfield in 2025 and currently plays professionally in Australia, recently showcased his talent for the Inner West Bulls. Despite his remarkable performance, where he emerged as the top scorer with 21 points and contributed 5 rebounds in 29 minutes, the eighth-placed Inner West Bulls (6-5) suffered a tough 98-80 defeat in Albury against the much lower-ranked (#16) Bandits in the East group. This loss was a setback for the team, even with Bleechmore's impressive display on the court. In his first season in professional basketball, Bleechmore has been making a significant impact with an average of 10.3 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 1.5 assists per game over 10 games. Despite the challenging defeat against the Bandits, Bleechmore's consistent performances highlight his potential as a rising champion in the league.
Other former Fairfield University players, who play in pro basketball:
Tyler Nelson (6'3''-PG-1995, played in 2014-18) played for Kolossos in Greek GBL few monts ago
Josip Mikulic (7'1''-C-1993, played in 2012-13) played for Cimarrones del Choco in Colombian LBP last year
Matija Milin (6'9''-PF-1995, played in 2015-19) plays for Metalac VL in Serbian KLS
Kevin Peterson (6'6''-F-1998, played in 2017-20) plays for Sodertalje in Swedish Basketligan
Francis Han (6'1''-PG-1987, played in 2018-22) plays for PGE Spojnia Stargard in Polish 1Liga
Chris Maidoh (6'10''-F, played in 2019-23) plays for Leeuwarden in Dutch DBL
Wassef Methnani (6'9''-F-1998, played in 2017-20) played for JS Kairouan in Tunisian ProA last year
Amadou Sidibe (6'8''-F/C-1994, played in 2012-17) plays for Saint Vallier Basket Drome in French NM1
Alexis Yetna (6'8''-F-1997, played in 2023-24) plays for L'union Lourdes-Tarbes Pyrenees Basket in French NM1
Calvin Whipple (6'4''-G-1998, played in 2018-21) played for South West Slammers in Australian NBL One last year
Marcus Gilbert (6'6''-F-1993, played in 2012-16) played for Grengewald in Luxembourg Nationale 2 last year
Landon Taliaferro (6'5''-G-1997, played in 2018-20) played for Nottingham Hoods in British BCB last year
Deng Isaac (6'9''-F-1982, played in 2001-05) plays for Victoria Crocs in Ugandan NBL
Jamie Bergens (6'2''-G-2001, played in 2024-25) plays for Ponferrada in Spanish Segunda FEB
Allan Jeanne-Rose (6'7''-F-2000, played in 2019-23) plays for Gries-Souffel in French ProB
Caleb Fields (6'2''-G, played in 2022-24) plays for Jaen CB in Spanish Segunda FEB
Aidas Kavaliauskas (6'1''-PG-1995, played in 2017-20) plays for Birstono in Lithuanian RKL
Notice: The list above includes only some of alumni playing currently in pro basketball. Check complete list of Fairfield University basketball alumni.
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Ex-Players
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