Courtesy of Eurobasket LLC Every week we bring you a list of the top former Trojans players who continue their career in pro basketball.
#1. Jonah Mathews, a 6'3'' shooting guard who graduated from USC in 2020, is currently playing professionally in Turkey. In a recent game, he was a key player for Besiktas Fibabanka Istanbul as they secured a dominant 108-83 victory over Galatasaray, the seventh-ranked team in the Turkish ING Basketbol Super Ligi. Mathews showcased his skills by contributing 17 points, 3 rebounds, and 4 assists in just 24 minutes of play. This outstanding performance helped Besiktas Fibabanka Istanbul improve their record to 25-5, placing them second in the league standings. With an average of 14.3 points, 2.3 rebounds, 2.9 assists, and 1.3 steals per game this season, Mathews has been a consistent performer for his team. His remarkable display in the game against Galatasaray earned him the title of the champion of the match, highlighting his impact and value as a player for Besiktas Fibabanka Istanbul.
#2. Evan Mobley, a 7'0'' power forward who is a 24-year-old alum of the Trojans from the class of 2021, currently plays professionally in the NBA. Despite his impressive performance, Mobley was unable to help the Cleveland Cavaliers (52-30) secure a victory in their recent game against the New York Knicks. In the matchup, the Cavaliers were defeated 121-108 on the road. Mobley stood out as the top scorer of the game, contributing 24 points along with 6 rebounds in 36 minutes of play. This season marks Mobley's fifth year with the team, and he showcased his skills against the Knicks by not only scoring 24 points and grabbing 6 rebounds but also dishing out 2 assists. Despite his individual efforts, the team fell short of victory. Throughout the season, Mobley has maintained high statistics, averaging 17.9 points, 8.8 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and 1.7 blocks per game. His consistent performance demonstrates his capabilities as a champion player in the league.
#3. Experienced champion Daniel Hackett, a 6'5'' point guard at 38 years old who graduated from USC in 2009 and played a key role in their Pac Tournament victory that year, currently plays professionally in Italy. In a recent match, he played for Virtus Segafredo Bologna, helping them secure a 106-95 victory against the ninth-ranked Dolomiti Trentino (12-16) in the Italian Serie A on Tuesday night. Hackett showcased his skills by scoring 10 points, grabbing 4 rebounds, and dishing out 4 assists in just 24 minutes of play, impressively going 8-for-8 from the free-throw line. Virtus Segafredo Bologna, leading the league with a record of 23-5, achieved their fifth consecutive win, with Hackett playing his fifth season for the team. His outstanding performance against Trento not only contributed significantly to the win but also highlighted his abilities as a finalist. Throughout this season, Hackett has been averaging 4.6 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 1.8 assists per game. It is noteworthy that he holds both American and Italian citizenship, allowing him to compete in Italy as a domestic player.
#4. Davon Jefferson, a 39-year-old 6'8'' forward and Trojans alumnus from 2008, is currently playing professionally in Puerto Rico. In a recent game, he showcased his skills by leading the Cangrejeros de Santurce to a resounding 108-93 victory over the third-ranked Santeros. Jefferson's stellar performance earned him the title of MVP of the game, as he recorded a double-double with 20 points, 15 rebounds, and 4 assists in 38 minutes of play. Notably, this win marked Cangrejeros de Santurce's fourth consecutive victory, positioning them fifth in Group B. Jefferson's impressive display was further recognized by eurobasket.com, awarding him the coveted Triple-Double Badge for his exceptional contributions on the court. With an average of 10.2 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 1.6 assists per game this season, Jefferson has been a standout player for his team. His remarkable performance against Aguada solidified his reputation as a champion, showcasing his skills and leadership abilities. As a finalist, Jefferson continues to excel and make significant contributions to his team's success in the Puerto Rican Baloncesto Superior Nacional.
#5. Nigerian champion Chimezie Metu, a 6'10'' forward/center who is 29 years old and graduated from USC in 2018 with an All-Pac First Team award, currently plays professionally in Spain. In the recent game last Saturday, Metu was unable to lead Draemland Gran Canaria (10-23) to victory as they were defeated 87-80 by the higher-ranked BAXI (#11) in Manresa. Despite the loss, Metu displayed a strong performance, finishing as the second-highest scorer with 15 points and contributing 5 rebounds in 31 minutes of play. With only two games remaining in the Regular Season, each match is now crucial for the team. This marks Metu's first season with Gran Canaria, and he has been putting up impressive numbers, averaging 14.0 points per game and 4.5 rebounds per game. Additionally, in the game against Manresa, he showcased his skills with 15 points, 5 rebounds, and 2 assists. Despite his noteworthy performance, the team fell short of securing the win. It is worth noting that Metu is a naturalized Nigerian player, bringing his talent and experience to the Spanish league.
#6. Isaiah Mobley, a 6'8'' power forward and 26-year-old Trojans alumnus from the class of 2022, currently plays professionally in Israel. Recently, he showcased his skills in a thrilling match where Hapoel Bank Yahav Jerusalem narrowly defeated H. Gilboa Galil 77-75 in the Israeli Winner League. In this game, Mobley put up an impressive performance by scoring 7 points, grabbing 6 rebounds, and providing 1 assist in just 22 minutes of play. His remarkable contribution was instrumental in securing the victory, ultimately earning him the title of champion of the match. Throughout the season, Mobley has been maintaining solid averages of 8.0 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 2.3 assists per game. It is worth noting that Mobley is a naturalized Bahamian, adding an extra layer of diversity to his already impressive basketball career.
#7. Serbian Strahinja Gavrilovic, a 6'9'' forward/center who is 33 years old and a graduate of USC in 2016, showcased his prowess on the court as a professional player in Bosnia. In a recent match, he played a vital role in Igokea's triumph over the league leader Siroki, with a final score of 104-90 in the Bosnia and Herzegovina Division I on Monday night. Gavrilovic's stellar performance included scoring 17 points, securing 6 rebounds, and providing 3 assists, all accomplished in a mere 18 minutes of gameplay. His remarkable contributions were instrumental in propelling his team to victory, solidifying his position as the champion. Throughout this season, Gavrilovic has maintained solid averages of 10.0 points per game, 4.7 rebounds per game, and 1.7 assists per game, further highlighting his skill and value on the court.
#8. Chibuzo Agbo Jr., a 6'7'' guard who is 24 years old and an alum of the Trojans from 2025, currently plays professionally in France. In a recent game, he played a pivotal role in helping Cholet Basket secure a 77-65 victory over the closely-ranked ASVEL Lyon-Villeurbanne Basket in the French Betclic ELITE league on Thursday night. Agbo Jr. contributed 5 points, 1 rebound, and 1 assist during the game, showcasing his skills and making a significant impact on the outcome. His performance was instrumental in guiding his team to success, ultimately leading them to be crowned as the champion. So far this season, he has been averaging 7.9 points per game and 2.9 rebounds per game. It is worth noting that Agbo Jr. is a naturalized Nigerian, adding to his diverse background and talents on the basketball court.
#9. Egyptian champion Omar Oraby, a towering 7'2'' center at 34 years old, who graduated from USC in 2014, and currently playing professionally in Egypt, showcased his skills for Al Ahly Cairo in their recent game. Despite his noteworthy performance, Al Ahly C. was narrowly defeated 93-90 by the lower-ranked ASCVD (#3) in Dakar last Friday. Oraby put up a solid display, contributing 12 points, 5 rebounds, and 1 assist in just 19 minutes of play. Despite Oraby's efforts, Al Ahly Cairo couldn't secure the victory against ASCVD. Throughout the season, the standout champion averages 4.8 points per game and 3.4 rebounds per game, consistently showcasing his value on the court for his team.
#10. Byron Wesley, a 6'5'' guard and Bulldogs alum who graduated in 2015, showcased his talent in a recent Lebanese Decathlon Lebanese Basketball League match. Despite his age of 33, Wesley's experience shone through as he led Sagesse to a thrilling 89-87 victory over the seventh-ranked Homentmen in a closely contested derby game. Wesley's exceptional performance included a double-double with 13 points and 10 rebounds, along with 3 assists, all achieved in 33 minutes of play. His impact was undeniable as he not only contributed significantly on the scoresheet but also played a pivotal role in guiding his team to a hard-fought win. Wesley's consistent performance throughout the season, averaging 12.0 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 3.0 assists per game, further underscores his value as a key player for Sagesse. His dedication and skill on the court truly exemplify what it means to be a champion in the world of basketball.
Other former University of Southern California players, who play in pro basketball:
Boogie Ellis (6'3''-G-2000, played in 2021-24) plays for Galatasaray Ekmas Istanbul in Turkish BSL
Nick Rakocevic (6'11''-F/C-1997, played in 2016-20) plays for Guangdong Southern Tigers in Chinese CBA
Bennie Boatwright (6'10''-F-1996, played in 2015-19) plays for San Miguel Beermen in Filipino PBA
DeMar DeRozan (6'6''-F/G-1989, played in 2008-09) plays for Sacramento Kings in the NBA
Kevin Porter Jr. (6'4''-G/F-2000, played in 2018-19) plays for Milwaukee Bucks in the NBA
Nikola Vucevic (7'0''-PF-1990, played in 2007-11) plays for Boston Celtics in the NBA
Onyeka Okongwu (6'9''-F/C-2000, played in 2019-20) plays for Atlanta Hawks in the NBA
Taj Gibson (6'9''-F-1985, played in 2006-09) plays for Memphis Grizzlies in the NBA
De'Anthony Melton (6'4''-G-1998, played in 2017-17) plays for Golden State Warriors in the NBA
Isaiah Collier (6'3''-G-2004, played in 2023-24) plays for Utah Jazz in the NBA
Jordan McLaughlin (6'0''-PG-1996, played in 2014-18) plays for San Antonio Spurs in the NBA
Bronny James (6'3''-G-2004, played in 2023-24) plays for Los Angeles Lakers in the NBA
Elijah Stewart (6'5''-G-1995, played in 2014-18) plays for UNICS in Russian VTB United League
Chevez Goodwin (6'9''-C-1998, played in 2020-22) plays for Kolossos in Greek GBL
Nikola Jovanovic (6'11''-C/F-1994, played in 2012-16) plays for Limoges CSP Elite in French Betclic ELITE ProA
Tahj Eaddy (6'2''-G-1996, played in 2020-21) plays for Kvarner in Croatian Premijer Liga
Kobe Johnson (6'6''-G-2003, played in 2021-24) plays for College Park SkyHawks in the NBA G League
DJ Rodman (6'6''-F-2001, played in 2023-24) plays for Greensboro Swarm in the NBA G League
Saint Thomas (6'7''-F-2003, played in 2024-25) plays for Delaware Blue Coats in the NBA G League
Josh Cohen (6'10''-F, played in 2024-25) plays for Sioux Falls Skyforce in the NBA G League
Harrison Hornery (6'10''-F, played in 2021-25) plays for Eltham Wildcats in Australian NBL One
Isaiah White (6'7''-G-1997, played in 2020-22) played for Arantia in Luxembourg LBBL few monts ago
Clark Slajchert (6'1''-G, played in 2024-25) plays for Residence in Luxembourg LBBL
J.T. Terrell IV (6'4''-G-1991, played in 2012-14) played for LA Ignite in the The Basketball Tournament last year
Aaron Fuller (6'6''-F-1989, played in 2010-10) plays for RANS PIK in Indonesian IBL
Daniel Utomi (6'6''-SF-1997, played in 2019-20) plays for Dar City in Tanzanian NBL
Drew Peterson (6'9''-SF-1999, played in 2023-24) plays for Motor City Cruise in the NBA G League
Notice: The list above includes only some of alumni playing currently in pro basketball. Check complete list of University of Southern California basketball alumni.
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