Courtesy of Eurobasket LLC Here is the weekly review of the top performing Musketeers alumni, who are currently playing in pro basketball.
Look at great performance of Paul Scruggs (22 points), Dante Maddox Jr. (41 points), and Jalen Reynolds (21 points).
#1. Paul Scruggs, a 6'3'' guard who graduated from Xavier University in 2022 after helping them clinch the NIT Champion title that year, currently plays professionally in Poland. In a recent game, despite his stellar performance, Scruggs could not prevent Trefl Sopot (19-11) from losing 78-85 on the road to the lower-ranked team, Dziki, who held the fifth position in the league standings. Despite the defeat, Scruggs showcased an impressive display on the court, achieving a double-double with 22 points and 11 rebounds, along with contributing 5 assists and 2 blocks during his 34 minutes of play. This remarkable performance by Scruggs was not enough to secure a win for Trefl Sopot, marking their first loss after a streak of four consecutive victories. His exceptional performance against Dziki earned him the Triple-Double Badge from eurobasket.com, acknowledging his outstanding skills and contribution to the game. Throughout the season, Scruggs has maintained relatively good statistics, averaging 14.1 points, 5.2 rebounds, 5.1 assists, and 1.4 steals per game in the 32 games he has played so far.
#2. Dante Maddox Jr., a 6'2'' guard and a proud Musketeers alumni from 2025, currently playing professionally in Belgium, showcased his skills as he led Okapi Aalst to a thrilling 101-97 victory over Oostende, one of the league's weaker teams, in the Belgian Pro Basketball League last Sunday. As the MVP of the game, Maddox Jr. put up an incredible performance, scoring a remarkable 41 points, securing 6 rebounds, and providing 5 assists in just 37 minutes of play. This outstanding display is even more impressive considering it is Maddox Jr.'s debut season in professional basketball. Okapi Aalst, the team he champions, currently holds the top spot in the league standings. Maddox Jr., in his first year with the team, delivered an exceptional performance against Oostende, earning him the prestigious Elite Badge from eurobasket.com, further solidifying his status as a true champion in the making. With an average of 25.3 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 4.8 assists per game over four games, Maddox Jr. is having an outstanding season individually, demonstrating his prowess on the court and his potential to become a future finalist.
#3. Experienced champion Jalen Reynolds, a 6'10'' center aged 33, who graduated from Xavier in 2016 and currently plays professionally in Russia, demonstrated his leadership by guiding his team UNICS to a decisive 83-66 victory over the closely-ranked Zenit (28-12) in the VTB United League last Friday. In this highly anticipated matchup between two top 4 ranked teams, Reynolds was a standout performer and was rightfully awarded the MVP of the game. He showcased his prowess on the court by scoring 21 points, securing 5 rebounds, and providing 3 assists in a remarkable 32-minute display of skill and athleticism. This victory was crucial for UNICS Kazan (33-7), currently holding the second position in the league standings, further solidifying their position as a top contender. Reynolds, in his fourth season with the team, has been instrumental in their success, consistently delivering stellar performances like the one against Zenit. His remarkable individual season statistics reflect his impact on the team, averaging 18.4 points per game (ranking third best in the league), along with 5.5 rebounds, 2.6 assists, and 1.4 steals per game across 45 games. Reynolds' exceptional contributions on the court this season truly exemplify his status as a champion in the league.
#4. Trevon Bluiett, a 6'6'' guard and 31-year-old alummi of the Musketeers from 2018, has been making waves in the Hungarian basketball scene. Playing professionally in Hungary, he recently led Atomeromu to a thrilling victory over the third-ranked Kaposvari with a score of 77-71 in the Hungarian Nemzeti Bajnoksag I/A, showcasing his skills on the court. In this game, he was named the MVP after scoring 22 points, grabbing 8 rebounds, and dishing out 1 assist in just 28 minutes of play. Atomeromu SE Paks, with a record of 17-9, currently sits at seventh place in the Play-Off group, with Bluiett's stellar performance contributing significantly to their success. This win marked the team's impressive tenth consecutive victory, highlighting their strong form with Bluiett as a key player. Throughout the season, Bluiett has maintained solid statistics, averaging 14.3 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 1.8 assists per game across 34 games. His consistent contributions on the court have not only boosted his team's performance but have also solidified his reputation as a true champion in the sport.
#5. Tyrique Jones, a 6'9'' center who graduated from Xavier in 2020 and currently plays professionally in Greece, showcased his skills in a recent Euroleague match. Despite only scoring 4 points in 10 minutes, Jones made a significant impact in Olympiacos S.F.P. Piraeus' 92-85 victory over Real Madrid, a closely-ranked opponent. This win was crucial as Olympiacos S.F.P. Piraeus maintains its top position in the league with a record of 26-12. Jones' contribution on the court, including his 4 points and 1 rebound against Real Madrid, proved instrumental in securing the win. His consistent performance has been a key factor in his team's recent success, as they have now clinched their fourth consecutive victory. This victory ultimately propelled them towards their goal of becoming the champion. Throughout this season, Jones has demonstrated his abilities by averaging 6.6 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 1.1 assists per game in 16 appearances. His dedication and skill set continue to be valuable assets for his team as they strive for success in the league.
#6. Malcolm Bernard, a 6'6'' guard/forward and Xavier University alum from the class of 2017, currently playing professionally in Estonia, showcased an impressive performance in Tartu's recent game against Kalev/Cramo. Despite Bernard's standout efforts, where he scored 19 points, secured 8 rebounds, and contributed with 4 assists during his 33 minutes on the court, Tartu ultimately fell short to the leading team with a final score of 77-83. Throughout the season, Bernard has maintained solid statistics, averaging 11.8 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 3.8 assists per game in the six games played so far. His contributions on both ends of the court have been noteworthy, establishing himself as a key player for Tartu.
#7. Adam Kunkel, a 6'4'' guard who is 26 years old and graduated from Xavier in 2023 after helping them reach the final of the Big East Tournament that year, currently plays professionally in Spain. In a recent game, despite his solid performance, Kunkel was unable to lead Zunder Palencia (25-7) to a victory. Palencia suffered a defeat of 81-88 against the lower-ranked (#7) Fuenlabrada in Madrid. During the game, Kunkel showcased his skills by scoring 12 points, pulling down 4 rebounds, and providing 1 assist in just 22 minutes of play. Even though he put up an impressive performance against Fuenlabrada, his team could not secure the win. Throughout the season, Kunkel has maintained relatively good statistics, averaging 13.4 points, 2.4 rebounds, and 1.2 assists per game across 22 games.
#8. Kyle Castlin, a 6'4'' guard and 29-year-old Musketeers alum from 2019, showcased his skills as a professional basketball player in Germany. In a recent match, he played a pivotal role in the Giessen 46ers' victory over the closely-ranked Kirchheim Knights with a final score of 90-77 in the German BARMER 2. Basketball Bundesliga ProA (second division) last Wednesday. Castlin's impressive performance included recording 13 points and grabbing 5 rebounds in 29 minutes of play. Furthermore, Castlin's contributions extended beyond scoring and rebounding as he also provided 1 assist during the game. His exceptional display on the court was instrumental in guiding his team to a decisive victory over Kirchheim. With an average of 15.0 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 1.3 assists per game in 40 games this year, Castlin has consistently demonstrated his value as a key player for the Giessen 46ers. His consistent performance and leadership qualities solidify his reputation as a true champion in the world of basketball.
#9. Dayvion McKnight, a 6'0'' point guard who graduated from Xavier in 2025 and helped them reach the final of The Basketball Tournament that year, currently plays professionally in Lithuania. Recently, McKnight was unable to lead Siauliai to a victory against Lietkabelis, where he contributed 6 points, 3 rebounds, and 2 assists in 24 minutes of play. Despite his solid performance, Siauliai fell short by a single point, losing 85-84 in a close match. Throughout the season, McKnight has maintained impressive statistics, averaging 11.0 points, 3.8 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and 1.4 steals per game, making him one of the top performers in the league. His consistent contributions on the court have solidified his reputation as a skilled player, showcasing his talent and determination as a champion finalist.
Other former Xavier University players, who play in pro basketball:
Kaiser Gates (6'7''-F-1996, played in 2015-18) plays for Universidad Catolica de Murcia CB in Spanish Liga Endesa
Zachary Hankins (6'11''-C-1996, played in 2018-19) plays for Maccabi Playtika Tel-Aviv in Israeli Winner League
Edmond Sumner (6'6''-G-1995, played in 2014-14) plays for Guangdong Southern Tigers in Chinese CBA
Naji Marshall (6'7''-F-1998, played in 2017-20) plays for Dallas Mavericks in the NBA
Zachary Freemantle (6'9''-F-2000, played in 2019-23) plays for Los Angeles Clippers in the NBA
Marcus Foster (6'5''-G-2002, played in 2024-25) plays for SYNTAINICS MBC Weissenfels in German BBL
Semaj Christon (6'3''-PG-1992, played in 2012-14) plays for Udine in Italian Serie A
JP Macura (6'5''-G/F-1995, played in 2014-18) plays for Treviso in Italian Serie A
Travis Taylor (6'8''-C-1990, played in 2010-13) plays for AEL in Cypriot ECOMMBX BL
Bryan Griffin (6'8''-C-1998, played in 2020-21) plays for PGE Start Lublin in Polish OBL
Sean O'Mara (6'10''-F/C-1995, played in 2014-18) plays for Toyotsu Fighting Eagles Nagoya in Japanese B1 League
Jack Nunge (7'0''-C/F-1999, played in 2023-23) plays for Fukushima Firebonds in Japanese B2 League
Isaiah Philmore (6'8''-F-1989, played in 2011-11) plays for Alba in Hungarian A Division
Tu Holloway (6'0''-PG-1989, played in 2008-12) played for Metros in Dominican Rep. LNB few monts ago
Kerem Kanter (6'10''-F/C-1995, played in 2017-18) plays for Seoul Samsung Thunders in South Korean KBL
Jamel McLean (6'8''-C-1988, played in 2006-11) plays for Akita Northern Happinets in Japanese B1 League
Remy Abell (6'4''-G-1992, played in 2013-13) plays for NKA Pecs in Hungarian A Division
Souley Boum (6'3''-G-1999, played in 2023-23) plays for BC Vienna in Austrian BSL
Jerome Hunter (6'8''-F-1999, played in 2021-25) plays for Raiffeisen Swans Gmunden in Austrian BSL
Darwin Davis (5'10''-PG-1993, played in 2012-15) plays for Union Rennes Basket 35 in French NM1
James Farr (6'10''-F-1992, played in 2012-16) played for Barrolle in Liberian LBA D1 last year
Josh Duncan (6'8''-F/C-1986, played in 2004-08) played for Cincinnati Warriors in the TBL last year
Nate Johnson (6'4''-PG-1998, played in 2020-22) plays for Hefei in Chinese NBL
Colby Jones (6'6''-G-2002, played in 2024-25) plays for Memphis Hustle in the NBA G League
Jordan Crawford (6'4''-G-1988, played in 2007-08) played for LA Riot in the Big3 last year
Quincy Olivari (6'3''-G-2001, 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 Xavier University basketball alumni.
|
|
|
Ex-Players
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
