Courtesy of Eurobasket LLC Here is the weekly review of the top performing Hurricanes alumni, who are currently playing in pro basketball.
#1. Experienced Shane Larkin, a 6'0'' point guard, is a 33-year-old basketball player who graduated from the University of Miami in Florida in 2013. Larkin, who received the All-ACC All-Tournament MVP award that year, currently plays professionally in Turkey. Recently, he led Anadolu Efes Istanbul to a 77-70 victory over the closely-ranked Turk Telekom in the Turkish ING Basketbol Super Ligi, showcasing his skills as a true champion. Larkin's stellar performance earned him the MVP title of the game, as he contributed 20 points, 4 assists, and 3 steals in just 30 minutes of play. Anadolu Efes Istanbul, with a record of 20-10, currently holds the fourth position in the league standings. Larkin's leadership on the court has been instrumental in his team's recent success, as they secured their fourth consecutive victory. This season marks Larkin's eighth year with Anadolu Efes Istanbul, where he continues to demonstrate his talent and impact as a key player. In addition to his standout performance against Turk Telekom, Larkin has been delivering impressive statistics throughout the season, averaging 13.1 points, 2.8 rebounds, 6.1 assists, and 1.6 steals per game in the 10 games he has played so far. It is noteworthy that Larkin holds dual American and Turkish citizenship, allowing him to compete in Turkey as a domestic player, further enhancing his value to the team.
#2. Lonnie Walker IV, a 6'5'' shooting guard, 27 years old and an alumnus of the Hurricanes from 2018, is currently playing professionally in Israel. Recently, he showcased his skills by leading Maccabi Playtika Tel-Aviv to a decisive 106-90 victory over the eighth-ranked Hapoel Beer Sheva team. In this game, Walker IV contributed significantly with 13 points, 2 rebounds, and 2 assists in just 19 minutes of play. His stellar performance played a crucial role in securing the win for his team, marking him as a champion on the court. Maccabi Playtika Tel-Aviv, with a remarkable record of 24-2, holds the top spot in the league standings. Their recent victory over Hapoel Beer Sheva marked their 19th consecutive win, highlighting their dominance in the league. Walker IV's individual performance throughout the season has been exceptional, averaging 15.4 points, 2.2 rebounds, 2.1 assists, and 1.2 steals per game over 14 games. His consistent contributions on both ends of the court have been instrumental in his team's success, making him a standout finalist in the league.
#3. Nigerian champion Ebuka Izundu, a 6'10'' center who is 29 years old and graduated from Miami, FL in 2019, currently plays professionally in Serbia. In a recent match, despite Izundu's efforts, Crvena zvezda was unable to overcome Spartak, with the final score being 90-89 in favor of Spartak. Izundu showcased his skills by scoring 8 points, grabbing 8 rebounds, and contributing 1 assist in 19 minutes of play. Despite his impressive performance, Crvena zvezda, ranked 18th, suffered a narrow defeat at home against the lower-ranked (#19) Spartak in the Joined in Play-Off group. Izundu's solid contributions on the court, including his scoring and rebounding, highlight his value to the team. His statistics for the season so far are noteworthy, averaging 12.8 points per game and 6.3 rebounds per game over four games. It is interesting to note that Izundu holds both American and Nigerian citizenship, which allows him to play in Nigeria as a domestic player, showcasing his versatility and international background.
#4. In the recent game, Jalen Blackmon, a 6'3'' guard and Hurricanes alumni from 2025, showcased his skills while playing professionally for Hubo Limburg United in Belgium. Despite his outstanding performance, where he scored 25 points, grabbed 4 rebounds, and dished out 3 assists in 38 minutes, Limburg unfortunately fell short against the Antwerp Giants, losing 79-91 on the road. This remarkable showing by Blackmon is particularly impressive as he is currently in his first season of professional basketball and is still adjusting to the new environment. Throughout the season, Blackmon has consistently performed well, demonstrating his scoring prowess by averaging 18.9 points per game, which ranks him as the fourth-best scorer in the league. Additionally, he has averaged 2.0 rebounds and 1.7 assists in the seven games played so far. Despite the team's recent loss, Blackmon's individual success and contributions on the court have been noteworthy, reflecting his potential as a standout player in the league.
#5. Isaiah Wong, a 6'4'' shooting guard hailing from Miami, Florida, is a 25-year-old pro basketball player who graduated from the University of Miami in 2023. Known for his exceptional skills, he was honored with the All-ACC Player of the Year award in the same year. Currently playing professionally in Spain, Wong recently showcased his talent in a game for Draemland Gran Canaria, despite their team facing a tough challenge. In the last game against the formidable Valencia, ranked at #4, Wong's efforts were commendable. He contributed 14 points, 1 rebound, and 2 assists in 31 minutes of play, displaying his capabilities on the court. Despite his strong performance, Gran Canaria suffered a significant defeat, with a final score of 105-81. This marked their third consecutive loss, putting pressure on the team as they approach the end of the Regular Season. As Wong navigates his first season with Draemland Gran Canaria, he has been consistent in his gameplay, averaging 14.6 points, 2.0 rebounds, and 2.0 assists per game over 34 appearances. With only one more game left in the Regular Season, Wong and his team are gearing up for a crucial match that could potentially impact their standings. As a rising star in the league, Wong's dedication and talent continue to shine, positioning him as a champion in the making.
#6. Canadian champion Dejan Vasiljevic, a 6'3'' guard and 29-year-old Hurricanes alum from 2020 currently playing professionally in Australia, was unable to lead the Sturt Sabres (10-2) to victory in their recent game. Despite his stellar performance, the third-placed Sturt Sabres suffered a significant 95-76 defeat at the hands of the leading Forestville Eagles in the Central group. Vasiljevic stood out as the top scorer, contributing 29 points in 30 minutes of play against the Forestville Eagles. Although he showcased an impressive performance with 29 points, 2 rebounds, and 2 assists, his team ultimately came up short, resulting in a loss. Throughout the season, Vasiljevic has been excelling individually, maintaining high statistics with an average of 18.4 points per game, along with 2.8 rebounds, 1.2 assists, and 1.2 steals in five games played. An interesting fact about Vasiljevic is that he holds both American and Canadian citizenship, allowing him to potentially play in Canada as a domestic player in the future.
#7. Brandon Johnson, a 6'8'' forward who is 24 years old and a graduate of Miami, FL in 2025, currently plays professionally in Israel. In a recent game, Johnson, a standout player for H.Gilboa Galil, faced off against Hapoel Jerusalem but could not lead his team to victory. Despite his commendable performance of scoring 7 points and grabbing 6 rebounds in just 20 minutes of play, his team ultimately fell short with a final score of 71-82 against Hapoel Jerusalem. Throughout the season, Johnson has been a key contributor, averaging 9.4 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 1.6 assists per game across seven games. His dedication and skill on the court continue to showcase his potential as a champion in the making.
#8. Puerto Rican Angel Rodriguez, a 33-year-old point guard standing at 5'11'' and an alum of the Hurricanes since 2016, is currently playing professionally in Puerto Rico. In a recent game, he played a crucial role in the Cangrejeros de Santurce's thrilling 95-92 victory over the league-leading Atleticos with an impressive performance. Rodriguez showcased his versatility on the court by contributing 6 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 assists in just 18 minutes of play. Moreover, in another game against San German, Rodriguez once again displayed his skills by scoring 6 points, grabbing 5 rebounds, and providing 3 assists, which significantly helped his team emerge victorious. His consistent and impactful contributions highlight his capabilities as a finalist. Throughout the current season, Rodriguez has maintained solid statistics, averaging 11.2 points, 3.2 rebounds, 5.8 assists, and 1.6 steals per game, ranking him as the third-best in the league in steals. His impressive performance on the court exemplifies his determination and skills as a champion in the Puerto Rican Baloncesto Superior Nacional.
#9. Matthew Cleveland, a 6'7'' guard from Miami, Florida, graduated in 2025 and has been making a name for himself as a standout player in the Canadian Elite Basketball League. Recently, he played a crucial role in the Ottawa Blackjacks' victory over the Bandits with an impressive performance. Cleveland's double-double of 35 points and 10 rebounds, along with 5 assists, was instrumental in securing the win for his team. In another game against Vancouver, Cleveland once again showcased his skills by scoring 35 points, grabbing 10 rebounds, and providing 5 assists. His exceptional contributions on the court clearly demonstrate his prowess as a true champion. Throughout the season, Cleveland has maintained high statistics, averaging 24.1 points, 9.0 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 1.1 blocks, and 1.1 steals per game in seven appearances. His consistent performance and leadership qualities make him a force to be reckoned with in the league.
#10. Julian Gamble, a 6'10'' center and 36-year-old Hurricanes alumnus from 2013, made a significant impact in the recent TBL game where he led the Raleigh Firebirds to a 119-108 victory over the Kissimmee Lambs. Gamble, who helped his alma mater to win the ACC Regular Season Champion title in 2013, showcased his skills by being named the MVP of the game. In an impressive display of talent, he scored 26 points, grabbed 14 rebounds, made 2 blocks, and secured 3 steals in 38 minutes of play. Gamble's exceptional performance against Kissimmee not only led his team to victory but also earned him recognition from eurobasket.com with the prestigious Triple-Double Badge for his remarkable achievements on the court. His outstanding year is further highlighted by his impressive individual statistics, averaging 20.5 points, 11.6 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 1.4 blocks, and 1.3 steals per game in 20 appearances. Julian Gamble's dominance as a player truly exemplifies why he is a champion and a finalist in every sense of the word.
Other former University of Miami players, who play in pro basketball:
Tonye Jekiri (7'0''-C-1994, played in 2012-16) plays for Partizan in Serbian KLS
Kenneth Kadji (6'11''-F-1988, played in 2010-10) played for Beirut Club in Lebanese DLBL few monts ago
Jordan Miller (6'6''-G-2000, played in 2025-25) plays for Los Angeles Clippers in the NBA
Bruce Brown (6'5''-SG-1996, played in 2016-18) plays for Denver Nuggets in the NBA
Kyshawn George (6'7''-SF-2003, played in 2023-24) plays for Washington Wizards in the NBA
Kamari Murphy (6'9''-F-1993, played in 2014-14) played for Zastal BC Zielona Gora in Polish OBL last year
Ivan Cruz-Uceda (6'10''-C/F-1991, played in 2019-23) plays for Rio Breogan Lugo in Spanish Liga Endesa
Lynn Kidd (6'10''-C, played in 2024-25) plays for Tofas Bursa in Turkish BSL
Kameron McGusty (6'6''-SG-1997, played in 2018-18) plays for London Lions in British SLB
Trey McKinney-Jones (6'6''-G-1990, played in 2008-10) plays for Gunma Crane Thunders in Japanese B1 League
Gary Hamilton (6'10''-C/F-1984, played in 2002-06) plays for Hiroshima Dragonflies in Japanese B1 League
Anthony Walker (6'9''-F-2001, played in 2019-23) plays for Kaposvari in Hungarian A Division
Bensley Joseph (6'2''-G-2002, played in 2021-24) plays for Hyeres-Toulon in French ProB
Keith Stone (6'9''-F-1997, played in 2019-20) plays for Sibiu in Romanian Liga Nationala
Dewan Hernandez (6'11''-C/F-1997, played in 2016-18) plays for Busan KCC Egis in South Korean KBL
Chris Lykes (5'7''-PG-1998, played in 2017-21) played for Val-Dieu Spirou Basket Charleroi in Belgian Pro Basketball League last year
Wooga Poplar (6'5''-G-2003, played in 2021-24) plays for Windy City Bulls in the NBA G League
Samuel Waardenburg (6'10''-F-1999, played in 2018-20) plays for Indios de Mayaguez in Puerto Rican BSN
Deng Gak (7'0''-C/F-1998, played in 2018-22) plays for RASHI in Georgian Superleague
Rion Brown (6'6''-SF, played in 2010-14) plays for Al Rayyan in Qatari QBL
Anthony Lawrence II (6'7''-G-1996, played in 2015-19) plays for Cupes in Dominican Rep. Santiago League
Harlond Beverly (6'5''-G-2001, played in 2019-23) played for Derby Trailblazers in British BCB last year
Charlie Moore (6'0''-PG-1998, played in 2021-22) plays for Ahly Benghazi in Libyan D1
DeQuan Jones (6'8''-F-1990, played in 2008-12) plays for Immortals in Dominican Rep. LDC
Brandon Okpalobi (6'2''-G, played in 2004-05) played for Runnin in the P&G League in Miami last year
Willie Herenton (6'1''-G, played in 2018-21) played for Limitless in the P&G League in Miami last year
Davon Reed (6'6''-G/F-1995, played in 2013-17) plays for Saga Ballooners in Japanese B1 League
Rodney Miller Jr. (7'0''-C-1996, played in 2016-22) played for Runnin in the P&G League in Miami last year
Notice: The list above includes only some of alumni playing currently in pro basketball. Check complete list of University of Miami basketball alumni.
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