Courtesy of Eurobasket LLC Here is the weekly review of the top performing Hilltoppers alumni, who are currently playing in pro basketball.
Especially interesting is good performance of Japeth Aguilar (11 points), Mitchell Robinson (7 points), and Justin Johnson (5 points).
#1. Experienced Filipino player Japeth Aguilar, standing at 6'9'' and 39 years old, graduated from WKU in 2009 where he helped them clinch the Sun Belt East Division Regular Season Champion title. Aguilar currently plays professionally in the Philippines and recently led the Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Kings to a convincing victory over the eighth-ranked Giga with a score of 116-102 in a recent Philippine Basketball Association game. In this game, Aguilar showcased his skills by contributing 11 points and 6 rebounds in just 22 minutes of play. The Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Kings, boasting a 9-3 record, currently hold the coveted second spot in the league standings. Aguilar has been an integral part of the team for 13 seasons, consistently demonstrating his prowess on the court. In a recent game against TNT Tropang, Aguilar once again proved his worth by scoring 11 crucial points and grabbing 6 rebounds, aiding his team in securing another victory and highlighting his capabilities as a finalist. Throughout this year, Aguilar has maintained solid averages of 7.1 points per game and 4.7 rebounds per game in the 16 games he has played so far. His consistent performance and leadership qualities make him a valuable asset to the team as they strive for success in the league.
#2. Mitchell Robinson, a 7'1'' center/forward and a proud alumnus of Hilltoppers from 2018, showcased his prowess as a champion player in Friday night's NBA game. Robinson, who plays professionally in the NBA for the New York Knicks, played a crucial role in their narrow 105-104 victory over the San Antonio Spurs, who have an impressive record of 62-21. Despite the Knicks having a relatively weak 54-29 record this season, Robinson's performance was instrumental in securing their fifth consecutive victory. In the game, Robinson scored 7 points and grabbed 3 rebounds in just 15 minutes of play. This victory highlighted his skills and contribution to the team, emphasizing his importance as a finalist player. It marked his eighth year with the New York Knicks, and his consistent performance throughout the season has been notable. Throughout the current season, Robinson has been averaging 5.6 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks per game in the 76 games he has played. His impressive statistics and his recent performance against the San Antonio Spurs underscore his value as a key player for the team.
#3. Justin Johnson, a 30-year-old power forward standing at 6'7'' who graduated from WKU in 2018 and received the All-C-USA First Team award that year, is currently playing professionally in Italy. In a recent game, he played a crucial role in helping his team, Tezenis Scaligera Verona, secure a victory against the tenth-ranked Rimini with a score of 84-74 in the Italian Serie A2, the second division of Italian basketball. Johnson put up solid numbers during the game, scoring 5 points, grabbing 7 rebounds, and providing 1 assist in 31 minutes of play. Tezenis Scaligera Verona, with a record of 25-13, currently holds the fourth position in the league standings. Johnson's performance in this game contributed to his team's fourth consecutive win, showcasing his skills and leadership on the court. His consistent contributions have been instrumental in his team's success, highlighting his value as a key player. Throughout the season, Johnson has been maintaining impressive averages of 9.5 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 1.7 assists per game in 32 appearances. His strong all-around performance has solidified his position as a standout player in the league. Johnson's dedication and talent have been key factors in Tezenis Scaligera Verona's journey towards becoming the champion in the league, showcasing his abilities as a top-tier athlete.
#4. Cleveland Thomas, a 6'4'' guard who is 32 years old and an alumnus of Hilltoppers from 2017, currently plays professionally in Mexico. In a recent game, Thomas, a champion player, was unable to lead his team, Halcones de Ciudad Obregon, to a victory against the Frayles de Guasave in the Mexican Circuito de Baloncesto de la Costa del Pacifico. Despite his efforts, the team fell short and Thomas could not add Sunday's game to his list of standout performances. During the match, Thomas played for 7 minutes and scored just 2 points. Although he also contributed 1 assist, it was not enough to secure a win for his team. Halcones de Ciudad Obregon ultimately lost to the second-ranked Frayles de Guasave with a final score of 93-108. Throughout this season, Thomas, a finalist, has been averaging 7.6 points, 2.0 rebounds, and 1.8 assists per game across 13 games.
Other former Western Kentucky University players, who play in pro basketball:
Darius Thompson (6'4''-PG-1995, played in 2017-18) plays for Valencia Basket in Spanish Liga Endesa
Nemanja Milosevic (6'9''-PF-1987, played in 2018-22) plays for Hoops in Lebanese DLBL
A.J. Slaughter (6'3''-SG-1987, played in 2006-10) plays for Anwil Wloclawek in Polish OBL
Charles Bassey (6'10''-C/F-2000, played in 2018-21) plays for Golden State Warriors in the NBA
Taveion Hollingsworth (6'2''-G-1999, played in 2017-21) plays for AEK Larnaca in Cypriot ECOMMBX BL
Jeremy Evans (6'10''-F-1987, played in 2006-10) plays for Mykonos in Greek GBL
Keith Williams (6'5''-G-1998, played in 2021-21) plays for Reales in Dominican Rep. LNB
Khristian Lander (6'3''-G-2002, played in 2022-25) plays for Ostioneros de Guaymas in Mexican CIBACOPA
Rodney Howard (6'11''-F, played in 2023-24) played for Craiova in Romanian Liga Nationala few monts ago
Lamonte Bearden (6'3''-G-1995, played in 2016-16) plays for Vasco in Brazilian NBB
Jairus Hamilton (6'8''-F-2000, played in 2021-23) plays for Miasto Szkla Krosno in Polish OBL
Benjamin Lawson (7'1''-F-1995, played in 2013-17) plays for Yokohama Excellence in Japanese B2 League
Anton Waters (6'7''-C-1993, played in 2015-17) played for Colon SF in Argentinian La Liga Argentina last year
Kevin Kaspar (6'0''-PG-1992, played in 2011-15) plays for Kocaeli in Turkish TBL
Sergio Kerusch (6'5''-SF-1989, played in 2008-11) played for Team 901 in the The Basketball Tournament last year
Emmanuel Akot (6'8''-F-1999, played in 2022-23) plays for Winnipeg Sea Bears in CEBL
Notice: The list above includes only some of alumni playing currently in pro basketball. Check complete list of Western Kentucky University basketball alumni.
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Ex-Players
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