Courtesy of Eurobasket LLC Here is the weekly review of the top performing Cavaliers alumni, who are currently playing in pro basketball.
#1. Guinean Mamadi Diakite, a 29-year-old forward standing at 6'9'' who graduated from Virginia in 2020 and received the USBWA All-District III Team award that year, is currently playing professionally in Spain. In a recent game, he played a crucial role in Cazoo Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz's narrow 92-89 victory over the ninth-ranked Unicaja in the Spanish Liga Endesa. Diakite showcased his skills by scoring 20 points, pulling down 7 rebounds, and contributing 2 assists in just 24 minutes of play. Cazoo Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz, currently holding the second spot in the league with a record of 25-9, has been on a winning streak, securing their sixth consecutive victory. With only one more game left in the Regular Season, the upcoming match will be of utmost importance for the team. Diakite's stellar performance against Unicaja highlights his impact on the court, helping his team clinch the victory and advance as the finalist. Throughout the season, Diakite has maintained impressive averages of 9.6 points, 4.6 rebounds, 1.3 assists, and 1.7 blocks per game, ranking as the second-best shot-blocker in the league.
#2. Devon Hall, a 6'5'' guard/forward and 30-year-old Cavaliers alumnus from 2018, currently plays professionally in Turkey. He recently showcased his talents in a game against Erokspor, where he played a pivotal role in his team's dominant 94-72 victory. Hall's performance was crucial in securing the win, as he contributed 10 points, 3 rebounds, and 4 assists in just 21 minutes on the court. Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul, the team Hall plays for, currently holds the top spot in the Turkish ING Basketbol Super Ligi with a record of 25-5. His consistent contributions on the court have been instrumental in the team's success, highlighting his value as a key player. With an average of 9.6 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 3.0 assists per game this season, Hall continues to impress with his skills and determination, proving himself as a true champion and a valuable asset to his team.
#3. Australian Kody Stattmann, a 6'8'' forward/guard at 25 years old who graduated from Virginia in 2022 and currently plays professionally in Australia, showcased his talent by leading the Cairns Marlins to a thrilling 103-98 victory over the second-ranked Rollers in the Australian NBL One, the second division league, on Saturday night. Stattmann, a standout player and the MVP of the game, put up an impressive double-double performance, scoring 45 points, pulling down 14 rebounds, and contributing 3 assists during his 40 minutes on the court. This highly anticipated matchup between two top 3 ranked teams in the North group lived up to expectations, with the Cairns Marlins (7-0) emerging victorious and maintaining their first-place position in the standings. Stattmann's stellar performance not only secured the win for his team but also earned him the prestigious Elite Badge from eurobasket.com, further solidifying his reputation as a champion player. Throughout the Regular Season, Stattmann has been a standout player, leading his team to victory in all seven games so far. His impressive season statistics reflect his exceptional skills, with averages of 26.9 points per game, 5.9 rebounds per game, 2.9 assists per game, and 1.7 steals per game. Stattmann's consistent high-level performance on the court highlights his status as a finalist player in the league.
#4. Experienced champion Jerome Meyinsse, a 6'10'' center and 37-year-old Cavaliers alumnus from 2010 who received the All-ACC Scholar-Athlete of the Year award that year, currently plays professionally in Argentina. Meyinsse recently showcased his skills as a major contributor in Quimsa's impressive 91-78 victory over the eighth-ranked Boca Juniors in the Argentinian La Liga on Monday night. In a stellar performance, he scored 17 points and secured 5 rebounds in just 26 minutes of play. With this win, Quimsa Santiago del Estero (24-12) solidified their first-place position in the league, marking their fourth consecutive triumph. Meyinsse's exceptional display on the court against Boca Juniors, where he scored 17 points and grabbed 5 rebounds, was instrumental in his team's success, ultimately crowning them as the champion of the game. Throughout the season, Meyinsse has maintained solid statistics, averaging 10.1 points per game and 5.1 rebounds per game, showcasing his valuable contributions to the team's success.
#5. Justin Anderson, a 6'6'' guard/forward who graduated from Virginia in 2015 after helping them secure the ACC Regular Season Champion title, currently showcases his talent as a professional player in the United Arab Emirates. In a recent game against league leader Buducnost with a record of 18-6, Anderson played a key role in his team's impressive 103-77 victory in the AdmiralBet ABA League. His noteworthy performance included contributing 10 points, securing 4 rebounds, and dishing out 3 assists in just 21 minutes of play. This game was highly anticipated as it featured two top 4 ranked teams, with BC Dubai (21-3) leading the league standings. Anderson's team's triumph marked their third consecutive win, highlighting their strong momentum in the competition. Despite this being Anderson's first season with the team, he showcased his skills and determination on the court, proving why he is a champion. Throughout the season, Anderson has maintained solid averages of 5.7 points, 2.2 rebounds, 1.6 assists, and 1.1 steals per game. His consistent contributions and impressive performances make him a valuable asset to his team as they strive for success in the league.
#6. Mike Tobey, a 7'0'' center and 31-year-old Cavaliers alumnus from 2016, who helped them reach the final of the ACC Tournament that year, currently plays professionally in Spain. Despite his efforts, last Friday, Tobey could not assist Draemland Gran Canaria (10-24) in their game, where they suffered a crushing 105-81 defeat on the road against the much higher-ranked Valencia (#4). In the match, Tobey showcased his skills by scoring 10 points and grabbing 6 rebounds in 27 minutes of play. His performance against Valencia was noteworthy, as he contributed 10 points, 6 rebounds, and 1 assist. Even though Tobey displayed an impressive performance, his team ended up on the losing side. Throughout this season, he has been averaging 8.8 points per game and 4.9 rebounds per game. It is worth noting that Tobey is a naturalized American.
#7. Braxton Key, a 29-year-old forward standing at 6'8'' who graduated from Virginia in 2020 and received an All-ACC Honorable Mention award that year, currently plays professionally in Spain. In a recent match in the Spanish Liga Endesa, he faced off against the previously mentioned Mike Tobey. Key played a crucial role in helping Valencia Basket secure a dominant victory over the 16th-ranked Gran Canaria, with a final score of 105-81. Despite only recording 5 points in 18 minutes of play, his contribution was significant in the team's success, ultimately leading them to become the champion in that game. Throughout this season, Key has been averaging 6.0 points per game and 3.0 rebounds per game, showcasing his consistency and value to the team.
#8. Bennett Vander Plas, a 6'8'' small forward and a 27-year-old former Cavaliers alumnus from 2023, played a crucial role in helping his team secure the ACC Regular Season Champion title that year. Despite his former collegiate success, Vander Plas currently plies his trade as a professional player in Poland. In a recent game against Legia while playing for Dziki Warszawa, Vander Plas struggled to make a significant impact. He only managed to score 3 points, grab 4 rebounds, and dish out 4 assists in 26 minutes on the court. Unfortunately, his team suffered a heavy defeat, losing by 18 points with a final score of 98-80. Although Vander Plas put forth a respectable performance individually, his contributions were not enough to secure a victory for his team against Legia. Despite his efforts, Dziki Warszawa ended up on the losing side that day. Throughout the current season, Vander Plas has been averaging 9.0 points, 5.3 rebounds, 1.4 assists, and 1.1 steals per game, showcasing his versatility on the court.
#9. In a remarkable display of skill and talent, New Zealand's Taine Murray, a 6'5'' guard at just 24 years old, who graduated from Virginia in 2025 and now plays professionally in his home country, emerged as a pivotal figure in Tauranga Whai's triumph over the Hawks with a score of 94-88 in the New Zealand National Basketball League on Saturday night. Murray's exceptional performance saw him contribute significantly with 17 points, 7 rebounds, and 2 assists in a notable 36-minute game. His flawless execution, including making all five of his free throws, underscored his value as a key player and highlighted his potential as a future champion on the court. Throughout the season, Murray has maintained an impressive individual record, averaging 21.2 points per game, 4.6 rebounds, 2.8 assists, and 1.4 steals, solidifying his reputation as a standout finalist in the league.
#10. Panamanian champion Akil Mitchell, who is a 6'9'' center and 33 years old, is an alumnus of the Cavaliers from 2014 when he helped them to win the ACC Regular Season Champion title. Currently playing professionally in Japan, Mitchell recently played a pivotal role in Nagasaki Velca's victory over the third-ranked Golden Kings, with a score of 72-64 in the Japanese B1 League on Tuesday night. Despite scoring only one point, Mitchell showcased his skills by providing 6 assists in 23 minutes of play. In another game against Ryukyu, Mitchell contributed with 1 point, 1 rebound, and 6 assists, aiding his team in securing a win. His performance was instrumental in guiding his team to success and ultimately emerging as the finalist. Throughout this season, he has been averaging 8.0 points per game, along with 6.0 rebounds, 2.8 assists, and 1.1 steals per game. It is noteworthy that Mitchell is a naturalized American, bringing his talent and experience to the basketball court in Japan.
Other former The University of Virginia players, who play in pro basketball:
Tomas Woldetensae (6'5''-F/G-1998, played in 2019-21) plays for Reggio Emilia in Italian Serie A
Trey Murphy III (6'9''-F-2000, played in 2020-21) plays for New Orleans Pelicans in the NBA
Anthony Gill (6'8''-PF-1992, played in 2012-12) plays for Washington Wizards in the NBA
Malcolm Brogdon (6'5''-SG-1992, played in 2011-12) plays for New York Knicks in the NBA
Ty Jerome (6'5''-G/F-1997, played in 2016-19) plays for Memphis Grizzlies in the NBA
De'Andre Hunter (6'8''-F/G-1997, played in 2016-16) plays for Sacramento Kings in the NBA
Ryan Dunn (6'7''-G-2003, played in 2022-24) plays for Phoenix Suns in the NBA
Jay Huff (7'1''-C/F-1998, played in 2016-16) plays for Indiana Pacers in the NBA
Sam Hauser (6'8''-SF-1997, played in 2019-19) plays for Boston Celtics in the NBA
Jacob Groves (6'9''-F-1999, played in 2023-24) played for Brno in Czech Republic NBL few monts ago
London Perrantes (6'2''-G-1994, played in 2013-17) plays for Maroussi in Greek GBL
Armaan Franklin (6'4''-G-2000, played in 2024-24) plays for Limoges CSP Elite in French Betclic ELITE ProA
Mike Scott (6'8''-F/C-1988, played in 2007-11) played for Gigantes de Carolina in Puerto Rican BSN last year
Darion Atkins (6'8''-F-1992, played in 2011-15) plays for Maccabi Urban Ramat Gan in Israeli Winner League
Laurynas Mikalauskas (6'9''-C-1985, played in 2004-08) plays for Palanga in Lithuanian NKL
Kihei Clark (5'9''-PG-2000, played in 2023-23) plays for House of Talents Kortrijk Spurs in Belgian Pro Basketball League
Kyle Guy (6'2''-PG-1997, played in 2016-19) plays for Shanxi Loongs in Chinese CBA
Sylven Landesberg (6'6''-G/F-1990, played in 2008-10) plays for BK Karbon-X Dukes Klosterneuburg in Austrian BSL
Nigel Johnson (6'2''-G-1995, played in 2017-18) plays for Al Ahli Sports Club Doha in Qatari QBL
Jordan Minor (6'8''-F-2000, played in 2023-24) plays for Capitanes de Ciudad de Mexico in the NBA G League
Jayden Gardner (6'7''-F-2000, played in 2021-23) plays for New Taipei Kings in Taiwanese TPBL
Reece Beekman (6'3''-G-2001, played in 2020-24) plays for Osceola Magic in the NBA G League
Assane Sene (7'0''-C-1989, played in 2008-12) played for CFAMD in Senegalese D2 last year
Notice: The list above includes only some of alumni playing currently in pro basketball. Check complete list of The University of Virginia basketball alumni.
|
|
