Courtesy of Eurobasket LLC Here is the weekly review of the top performing Panthers alumni, who are currently playing in pro basketball.
#1. Langston Wilson, a 6'9'' power forward who graduated from Milwaukee in 2024, showcased his skills in the North Macedonian Super League, leading Pelister to a 100-93 victory over the sixth-ranked Tikvesh. Wilson, a finalist in the Horizon League Tournament during his college years, proved his worth by scoring an impressive 29 points and grabbing 9 rebounds in just 27 minutes of play. This outstanding performance earned him the title of MVP of the game. Despite being only in his second season in professional basketball, Wilson's impact on the court was undeniable, contributing significantly to his team's success. Currently playing for KK Pelister Sport Bitola, Wilson has been instrumental in his team's recent winning streak, helping them secure their fifth consecutive victory. With the team positioned third in the Places 1-6 group, every game becomes crucial as they approach the end of the Second Stage. Wilson's remarkable statistics this season, averaging 14.7 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks per game in the 27 games played so far, highlight his consistent performance and value to the team. Having also participated in the Eurobasket Summer League, Wilson's dedication and talent have paved the way for his professional basketball career. His exceptional display on the court against Tikvesh not only led his team to triumph but also reinforced his reputation as a champion in the making.
#2. Ahmad Rand, a 27-year-old former Panthers alumni from 2023 standing at 6'8'' and currently playing professionally in the Czech Republic, was awarded the All-Horizon League Defensive Player of the Year in 2023. Recently, Rand's team, Usti n/Labem, faced off against Opava in the Czech Republic Maxa NBL but unfortunately fell short in a 85-69 defeat on the road. Despite Rand's commendable performance of scoring 7 points and grabbing 7 rebounds in 18 minutes of play, his team was unable to secure the victory. Even though Usti n/Labem holds the fourth position with a record of 21-15, they were defeated by Opava, ranked fifth, in the Places 1-8 group. Rand showcased his skills with a noteworthy display, contributing 7 points and 7 rebounds to the game. However, his efforts were not enough to lead his team to success in this matchup. In the current season, Rand has been maintaining an average of 6.5 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 1.8 assists per game over four games. Despite the recent setback, Rand's performance on the court continues to demonstrate his abilities as a champion player.
#3. Experienced champion Matt Tiby, a 6'8'' power forward at 33 years old, who graduated from Milwaukee in 2016 and received the All-Horizon League First Team award that year, currently plays professionally in Italy. In a recent game, despite Tiby's exceptional performance, he could not prevent Livorno Libertas (22-16) from losing 90-95 on the road to the lower-ranked (#10) Rimini. Tiby was the standout player of the match, leading the scoring with 26 points, grabbing 8 rebounds, and providing 3 assists in just 29 minutes of play. The Play-In phase has already concluded, and this marks Tiby's first season with the team. Throughout the season, he has consistently displayed impressive performances, averaging 19.7 points per game (the third-best in the league), 8.8 rebounds per game (also the third-best in the league), and 2.7 assists per game across 40 games. Despite his individual success, Tiby's team fell short in the latest game, but his remarkable contributions on the court continue to highlight his skill and value as a champion player.
Other former University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee players, who play in pro basketball:
Tony Meier (6'9''-F-1990, played in 2008-12) played for King Szczecin in Polish OBL few monts ago
Patrick Baldwin Jr. (6'9''-G-2002, played in 2021-22) plays for Sacramento Kings in the NBA
Vance Johnson (6'9''-F-1997, played in 2017-19) plays for Cherkasy in Ukrainian Superleague
Josh Thomas (6'4''-G-1997, played in 2019-22) played for Fer.Beira in Mozambican D1 last year
Markeith Browning II (6'4''-G-2001, played in 2021-24) plays for Sloga Uppsala in Swedish Basketligan
Kentrell Pullian (6'0''-PG-2002, played in 2022-25) plays for Rahoveci in Kosovan Superliga
AJ McKee (6'2''-G, played in 2024-25) plays for NTD in Azerbaijani ABL
Vin Baker Jr (6'9''-F-1999, played in 2024-24) plays for Brillantes in Venezuelan SPB
Deandre Abram (6'8''-F-1997, played in 2017-17) played for Tachikawa Dice in Japanese B3 League last year
Thierno Niang (6'1''-PG-1990, played in 2012-14) played for ASCVD in Senegalese N1M last year
Samba Kane (7'0''-C-1999, played in 2021-22) plays for Sol Girones in Spanish Segunda FEB
Notice: The list above includes only some of alumni playing currently in pro basketball. Check complete list of University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee basketball alumni.
Langston Wilson is last week best Panthers alumni, who plays professional basketball (Photo: @kkpelisterbitola)
