Courtesy of Eurobasket LLC Here is the weekly review of the top performing Lions alumni, who are currently playing in pro basketball.
#1. Slovakian point guard Simon Krajcovic, standing at 6'2'' and 32 years old, is a graduate of LMU from the year 2015 and currently plays professionally in Germany. In a recent match, Krajcovic, known for his skills and experience, was unable to lead Giessen 46ers (18-16) to a victory against the Kirchheim Knights (20-14) in the German BARMER 2. Basketball Bundesliga ProA, the second division of the league. Despite his efforts, Krajcovic's team suffered a significant defeat of 91-63 on the road against the higher-ranked Kirchheim Knights, who hold the #6 position in the league standings. During the game, Krajcovic showcased his talent by contributing 6 points, 4 rebounds, and 9 assists in 32 minutes of play. His individual performance was noteworthy, but unfortunately, it was not enough to secure the win for Giessen 46ers. Throughout the current season, Krajcovic has maintained an average of 7.7 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 4.5 assists per game in the 41 games he has participated in so far. Despite the challenges faced by his team in the recent match, Krajcovic continues to demonstrate his skills and determination as a key player for Giessen 46ers.
#2. James Batemon, a 6'1'' guard and 29-year-old Lions alumnus from 2019, made a significant impact in helping his team become the champion in the CBI Championship Semifinals that year. Currently playing professionally in Spain, he recently faced a tough match where his team, Hiopos Forca Lleida, was unable to overcome MoraBanc Andorra in the Spanish Liga Endesa. Despite his efforts, Batemon only managed to score 4 points and contribute 3 assists in 18 minutes of play. Unfortunately, his team suffered a heavy defeat, with MoraBanc Andorra emerging victorious with a scoreline of 116-88, showcasing their dominance over Hiopos Forca Lleida. With only one more game left in the Regular Season, Batemon and his team face a crucial match ahead. While he displayed a commendable performance by scoring 4 points and dishing out 3 assists against Andorra, the final result did not go in their favor. Individually, Batemon has been having a standout year, boasting impressive statistics with an average of 15.5 points, 2.3 rebounds, and 2.9 assists per game across the 31 games he has played thus far.
#3. Buay Tuach, a 6'6'' guard/forward who is 31 years old and graduated from LMU in 2017 with an All-WCC Honorable Mention award, currently plays professionally in New Zealand. In a recent game, he helped lead his team, the Otago Nuggets, to an impressive 88-63 victory over the ninth-ranked Giants with a strong performance. Tuach scored 7 points, grabbed 7 rebounds, and provided 2 assists in just 24 minutes of play. The Otago Nuggets, currently ranked fifth in the New Zealand National Basketball League with a record of 5-3, secured their first win after suffering three consecutive losses. Tuach's exceptional display on the court was instrumental in his team's success, showcasing his skills and contributing significantly to their triumph. His notable individual performance in the game highlighted his average stats for the season, including 17.9 points per game, 5.9 rebounds per game, 2.1 assists per game, and 1.9 steals per game in the eight games he has played so far. His consistent contributions and impressive stats make him a key player for the team as they aim to push towards becoming the finalist.
#4. German champion Lars Thiemann, a towering 7'1'' center aged 26 and a Lions alumnus from 2024, currently playing professionally in Germany, made a significant contribution to Rasta Vechta's triumph over the second-ranked ALBA Berlin with a score of 91-82 in the German easyCredit BBL during Friday night's game. Despite only scoring 3 points in 7 minutes on the court, Thiemann's impact was felt. Rasta Vechta, currently placed tenth in the league with a record of 16-17, benefited from his 3-point contribution and 1 rebound against ALBA, which helped secure the victory, making him the finalist of the game. Throughout this year, Thiemann has maintained an average of 4.1 points per game and 2.3 rebounds per game over 34 games.
#5. In the recent game, Bulgarian champion Ivan Alipiev, a 6'8'' forward aged 26 and an LMU graduate from 2022, who currently plays professionally in Italy, unfortunately could not lead Rimini (21-16) to victory. Despite his notable contribution, Rimini suffered a tough 85-69 defeat against the higher-ranked (#5) Cividale on their home court. Alipiev emerged as the standout performer for Rimini, finishing as the top scorer with 13 points in just 20 minutes of play. This season marks Alipiev's debut with the team, and he showcased his skills against Cividale by scoring 13 points, securing 1 rebound, and providing 1 assist. Despite his commendable performance, Rimini fell short in the game. Throughout the season, Alipiev has maintained solid statistics, averaging 10.4 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 1.2 assists per game across 27 appearances.
Other former Loyola Marymount University players, who play in pro basketball:
Keli Leaupepe (6'6''-F-2000, played in 2019-24) plays for Sydney Kings in Australian NBL
Aleksandre Merkviladze (6'8''-F-2002, played in 2021-25) plays for Oostende in Belgian Pro Basketball League
Mattias Markusson (7'2''-C-1996, played in 2017-19) plays for Chorale Roanne Basket in French ProB
Cameron Shelton (6'2''-G-1999, played in 2021-23) plays for Ventspils in Latvian LBL
Caleb Stone-Carrawell (6'7''-F-2000, played in 2024-25) plays for Raptors 905 Mississauga in the NBA G League
Marin Mornar (6'9''-PF-1993, played in 2012-16) plays for Kongsberg in Norwegian BLNO
Lazar Nekic (7'0''-C-1999, played in 2019-21) plays for Al Fateh in Saudi Arabian SBL
Kelvin Amayo (6'4''-G-1992, played in 2016-17) played for JHX Hoops - Kansas Alumni in the The Basketball Tournament few monts ago
Notice: The list above includes only some of alumni playing currently in pro basketball. Check complete list of Loyola Marymount University basketball alumni.
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