Courtesy of Eurobasket LLC We bring you last week's top former Paladins players who are currently playing in pro basketball.
Especially interesting is good performance of Jayson Morgan (30 points), Conley Garrison (13 points), and PJay Smith (15 points).
#1. Jayson Morgan, a towering 6'10'' center aged 21, who graduated from Furman in 2025 and played a crucial role in leading them to the final of the SoCon Tournament that year, is currently showcasing his talent as a professional player in Serbia. Despite his remarkable performance, Morgan was unable to lift KK Joker Sombor (5-23) to victory in their recent game against Metalac VL (#12), where they suffered a tough 112-93 defeat on the road. In the game, Morgan displayed his prowess on the court, recording an impressive double-double with 30 points and 13 rebounds, while also contributing 2 blocks in a total of 36 minutes of play. Although his efforts were commendable, the final result did not favor Joker Sombor. With only two games remaining in the Regular Season, each upcoming match will hold significant importance for Morgan and his team. Despite the challenges faced, Morgan's exceptional skills were acknowledged as he received the prestigious Triple-Double Badge from eurobasket.com, solidifying his reputation as a champion player. Throughout the season, Morgan has maintained an average of 7.7 points per game and 5.5 rebounds per game, demonstrating his consistency and impact on the court.
#2. Conley Garrison, a 6'1'' guard and 27-year-old alumnus of Paladins from 2022, played a crucial role in helping his team reach the final of the SoCon Tournament that year. Currently playing professionally in Poland, he recently made a significant impact in Zastal BC Zielona Gora's victory over the closely-ranked Stal with a score of 82-75 in the Polish Orlen Basket Liga. Garrison's impressive performance included scoring 13 points, grabbing 4 rebounds, dishing out 6 assists, and making 3 steals in just 24 minutes of play. Zastal BC Zielona Gora, currently placed eighth in the league with a record of 14-12, is gearing up for the final stretch of the Regular Season with only four games left. As each game becomes increasingly critical, Garrison's contributions on the court will be vital for his team's success. With season averages of 10.1 points per game, 3.6 rebounds per game, 5.0 assists per game, and 1.4 steals per game, Garrison has been demonstrating consistent performance throughout the season. His stellar showing against Stal further cements his reputation as a true champion, showcasing his skills, determination, and leadership on the basketball court.
#3. PJay Smith, a 6'0'' point guard who graduated from Furman in 2025 and received the All-SoCon First Team award that year, currently plays professional basketball in the United Kingdom. In a recent matchup, Smith led Manchester Basketball to a thrilling 101-98 victory over the seventh-ranked Leicester Riders in the British Super League Basketball. Despite it only being his first season in professional basketball, Smith showcased his skills by contributing 15 points, 5 rebounds, and 6 assists in 34 minutes of play. This outstanding performance helped Manchester Basketball secure the win and maintain their third-place position in the league with a record of 18-12. With only two games remaining in the Regular Season, every match is crucial for teams in the league. Smith's impressive display against Leicester Riders not only highlighted his individual skills but also proved instrumental in securing the victory for his team. His stellar performance rightfully earned him the title of the champion of the game. Throughout the season, Smith has maintained solid statistics, averaging 14.0 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 3.7 assists per game. As the Regular Season nears its end, Smith's consistent contributions will be vital for Manchester Basketball as they strive for success in the league.
#4. Kristofer Acox, an experienced player standing at 6'6'' and 32 years old, is a Paladins alumni from 2017. During his time with the Paladins, he was instrumental in helping them secure the SoCon Regular Season Co-Champion title that year. Currently playing professionally in Iceland for Valur, Acox unfortunately couldn't lead his team to victory in their recent game last Wednesday. Despite his stellar performance, Valur suffered an 88-81 defeat on the road against the lower-ranked Keflavik (#5). Acox showcased his skills by recording a double-double, scoring 24 points and grabbing 10 rebounds in just 32 minutes of play. This marks his sixth season with the Valur team. In the match against Keflavik, Acox displayed an impressive performance, contributing 24 points, 10 rebounds, and 1 assist. However, despite his remarkable efforts, Valur fell short and lost the game. Throughout this season, Acox has maintained good statistics, averaging 12.8 points per game, 10.0 rebounds (ranking third best in the league), 3.1 assists per game, and 1.2 steals per game. It is notable that Acox holds dual American and Icelandic citizenship, allowing him to play in Iceland as a domestic player.
#5. Clay Mounce, a 6'7'' forward who graduated from Furman in 2021 and received the All-SoCon Third Team award that year, currently plays professionally in Japan. Despite his remarkable performance, the seventh-placed Iwate Big Bulls (12-44) were unable to secure a victory last Saturday against the leading Brave Warriors in the East group. Mounce showcased his skills by scoring 25 points, grabbing 12 rebounds, and distributing 4 assists during the game, earning a double-double in 39 minutes of play. With only four games remaining in the Regular Season, every upcoming game holds significant importance for the team. Despite his team's recent loss, Mounce's exceptional display against Shinshu BW, where he scored 25 points, secured 12 rebounds, and provided 4 assists, did not go unnoticed. His outstanding performance even led to him being awarded the Triple-Double Badge by eurobasket.com, highlighting his talent and contributions on the court. Throughout the season, Mounce has consistently delivered impressive stats, averaging 21.0 points per game (ranking him fourth best in the league), along with 7.4 rebounds, 3.0 assists, and 1.6 steals per game. His individual success reflects his dedication and skill as a champion player in the league.
#6. Garrett Hien, a former Paladins alumnus from 2025 standing at 6'9'' and currently playing professionally in Belgium, showcased his skills for Union Mons-Hainaut (9-20) in their recent game last Saturday. Despite his notable performance, Union Mons was unable to secure a victory against the higher-ranked Zwolle (#13), ultimately losing 89-80 on the opponent's court. During the game, Hien demonstrated his talent by contributing 10 points, 9 rebounds, and 6 assists in 34 minutes of play. His remarkable display on the court highlighted his versatility and impact on the game, even though his team was unable to emerge victorious against the formidable Zwolle. Throughout the season, Hien has maintained solid statistics, averaging 11.7 points per game, 5.6 rebounds per game, and 2.6 assists per game. His consistent performance on the court exemplifies his dedication and skill as a professional basketball player, aiming to make a significant impact for his team as they strive for success in the league.
#7. Jalen Slawson, a 6'7'' forward and 26-year-old graduate of Furman University in 2023, who received the All-SoCon Player of the Year award that same year, currently plays professionally in the NBA. Despite his best efforts, Slawson, a standout player, was unable to lead the Indiana Pacers to victory against the Detroit Pistons in a recent game. While he contributed with 2 points, 2 rebounds, and 4 assists during the matchup, his team ultimately fell short, losing 133-121. Although it wasn't one of his standout performances, Slawson managed to showcase his skills on the court, recording 2 points, 4 passes, and 5 steals in 27 minutes of play. Throughout the season, Slawson has maintained relatively strong statistics, averaging 7.3 points, 4.4 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 1.1 blocks, and 1.5 steals per game. Despite the setback against the Pistons, Slawson remains a key player for the Pacers, aiming to lead his team to success as they strive to secure a spot as a champion in the NBA.
#8. Alex Hunter, a 27-year-old point guard standing at 5'11'' and a Paladins alumni from 2022, showcased his basketball prowess in Kosovo where he currently plays professionally. He played a crucial role in Bora's recent dominating victory against Sigal Prishtina, one of the league's weaker teams, where they triumphed with a score of 105-67 in a highly anticipated derby match in the Kosovan Art Motion Superliga on Sunday night. During the game, Hunter displayed exceptional skills by contributing 15 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 assists in just 22 minutes of play. His stellar performance was instrumental in securing the victory for his team, ultimately leading them to become the champion in that intense matchup. Throughout the season, Hunter has maintained solid statistics, averaging 13.2 points per game, 3.6 rebounds per game, and 4.8 assists per game. His consistent performance on the court has made him a key player for his team as they strive towards success in the league.
#9. Mike Bothwell, a 6'3'' guard who graduated from Furman in 2023 and was a Lou Henson National Player of the Year Award Finalist that year, is currently playing professionally in Greece. In a recent game, he showcased his skill and leadership by guiding Sofadon to a 76-65 victory over the closely-ranked Niki Volou in the Greek Elite League's second division. Bothwell's stellar performance earned him the MVP title of the game as he achieved a double-double with 19 points and 11 rebounds, along with contributing 3 assists during his 33 minutes on the court. His impressive stat line of 19 points, 11 rebounds, and 3 assists against Niki Volou not only secured the win for his team but also highlighted his exceptional abilities on the basketball court. This outstanding display of skill led to Bothwell being awarded the prestigious Triple-Double Badge from eurobasket.com, further solidifying his reputation as a champion in the sport. Throughout the season, Bothwell has maintained high statistics, averaging 17.1 points per game, 5.4 rebounds per game, 4.4 assists per game, and 1.3 steals per game. His consistent performance and remarkable contributions on the court demonstrate why he is considered a standout player and a finalist for the Lou Henson National Player of the Year Award.
Other former Furman University players, who play in pro basketball:
JP Pegues (6'2''-G, played in 2021-24) plays for Rigas Zelli in Latvian LBL
Jonathan Jean (5'10''-PG-1996, played in 2015-18) played for Tampa Bay Titans in the TBL few monts ago
Notice: The list above includes only some of alumni playing currently in pro basketball. Check complete list of Furman University basketball alumni.
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Ex-Players
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