POSTED BY: Eurobasket News
EuroBasket Pro Bulldogs Weekly Update
Courtesy of Eurobasket LLC
Every week we bring you a list of the top former Bulldogs players who continue their career in pro basketball.
#1. Experienced Greek player Nikolaos Stylianou, standing at 6'6'' and 37 years old, showcased his skills in the recent Cypriot ECOMMBX Basket League game. Despite graduating from WTAM in 2009, Stylianou honed his craft at Navarro JC from 2006 to 2008 before turning pro in Cyprus. His team, Keravnos Strovolou, emerged victorious with a resounding 86-66 win over the closely-ranked AEL (15-8) in a highly anticipated match on Saturday night.
Stylianou's performance was remarkable, as he contributed 6 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 assists in just 20 minutes of play. This game was a clash of top 4 teams in the league, with Keravnos Strovolou currently holding the second position. Notably, this marks Stylianou's seventh season with the team, demonstrating his loyalty and commitment to the club.
His standout display against AEL was crucial in securing the victory for his team, solidifying their position as the champion of the game. Throughout the season, Stylianou has maintained an average of 8.2 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 1.2 assists per game, showcasing his consistent performance on the court.
Furthermore, it is interesting to note that Stylianou holds both American and Greek citizenship, affording him the opportunity to play as a domestic player in Greece. His versatility and talent make him a valuable asset to any team, consistently delivering impactful contributions both on and off the court.
#2. Colombian Jesse Zarzuela, a 6'2'' point guard and Ducks alumnus from 2024, showcased his talent in the Venezuelan Superliga Profesional de Baloncesto. Despite having played at Navarro JC between 2020 and 2020, Zarzuela is making waves in the professional basketball scene in Venezuela, currently playing for Gaiteros. In a thrilling match against the seventh-ranked Pioneros, Zarzuela led his team to a narrow 76-73 victory, earning the title of MVP. His remarkable performance included scoring 18 points, grabbing 6 rebounds, and dishing out 2 assists in 32 minutes of play. This outstanding display of skill is particularly impressive considering it is only Zarzuela's second season in professional basketball. Gaiteros de Zulia, with a record of 16-2, sits proudly at the top of the league standings.
Zarzuela's impact goes beyond this game, as he has been consistently delivering strong performances throughout the season. Averaging 18.4 points per game, he ranks fourth in scoring in the league. Additionally, he contributes 2.8 rebounds, 3.8 assists, and 1.5 steals per game, further solidifying his reputation as a top-tier player. It is worth noting that Zarzuela, in addition to his Colombian nationality, also holds Dominican Republic nationality, adding to his international appeal. Zarzuela's exceptional skills and dedication to the game make him a true champion, leading his team to victory and setting an example for aspiring basketball players.
#3. Trey Pulliam, a 6'3'' guard who is 27 years old and graduated from SDSU in 2022, previously played for Navarro JC between 2017 and 2019, where he helped them reach the final of NJCAA D1 District XIV. Currently, he is playing professionally in Lithuania. In a recent game, Pulliam's team Gargzdu (11-15) faced off against the formidable Zalgiris (26-1) in the Lithuanian Betsafe Lietuvos krepsinio lyga. Despite Pulliam's efforts, where he scored 6 points and provided 3 assists in 16 minutes, Gargzdu was defeated by Zalgiris with a final score of 85-77. This marks Pulliam's first season with the team, and he has been averaging 7.7 points, 2.1 rebounds, and 3.8 assists per game so far. His performance against Zalgiris was notable, although his team ultimately fell short against the league leaders.
#4. South Sudanese champion Akol Mawein, a 6'9'' forward at 25 years old, is a former Hornets player from 2024 and previously played at Navarro JC between 2021 and 2022. He currently competes professionally in China. In a recent game, Mawein's team, the Nanjing Monkey Kings, faced off against the Flying Tigers but could not secure a victory, resulting in a 109-75 defeat on the road. Despite the loss, Mawein managed to contribute 6 points and 5 rebounds in just 15 minutes of play. This game marked the Nanjing Monkey Kings' fourth consecutive loss, concluding their Regular Season campaign.
This season, Mawein showcased his skills with an impressive performance against Xinjiang FT, where he scored 6 points, grabbed 5 rebounds, and added 1 assist. Despite his individual efforts, the team was unable to secure a win. Mawein's season averages stand at 9.2 points per game and 4.5 rebounds per game. It is noteworthy that Mawein also holds Australian nationality in addition to being a talented basketball player.
#5. Australian Kobe Shannon, a 6'4'' guard at 24 years old, made his mark on the basketball scene after graduating from Midland in 2023. Prior to that, he honed his skills at Navarro JC from 2019 to 2021. Shannon currently showcases his talent as a professional player in Australia. In a recent game, Shannon, though delivering a commendable performance, was unable to propel the struggling Inner West Bulls (2-3) to victory. Despite his impressive display, the tenth-placed Inner West Bulls fell short by a narrow margin of 75-72 against the higher-ranked Bruins (#6) in the East group at Condell Park last Saturday.
Shannon emerged as the second-highest scorer for his team, contributing 15 points along with 4 rebounds during his 29 minutes on the court. While the loss was disappointing, it is important to note that the season is still in its early stages, leaving room for the team's fortunes to potentially change. In a previous game against Bankstown B, Shannon showcased his skills by scoring 15 points and securing 4 rebounds, demonstrating his value to the team despite the unfortunate outcome.
Throughout the season, Shannon has maintained solid statistics, averaging 13.8 points per game, 4.0 rebounds per game, and 2.4 assists per game. With his consistent performance and dedication, Shannon continues to be a key player for the Inner West Bulls as they strive to improve their standing in the league.
#6. Emmanuel Egbuta, a 29-year-old 6'7'' forward and Tigers alumni from 2020, showcased his skills on the court for Piratas but couldn't turn the tide in their recent game. Despite his commendable performance, Piratas, with a record of 6-12, suffered a crushing defeat of 102-75 at home against the formidable Spartans, ranked #3 in the league.
In the game, Egbuta played for 35 minutes, contributing significantly with 13 points, 5 rebounds, and 1 assist. His noteworthy performance demonstrated his talent and determination, yet it was not enough to secure a victory for his team against the dominant Spartans.
Throughout the season, Egbuta has maintained solid statistics, averaging 11.0 points per game, 5.1 rebounds per game, 1.1 assists per game, and 1.3 steals per game. Despite the tough loss, Egbuta's consistent performance exemplifies his value as a key player for Piratas as they strive to improve their standing in the league.
#7. Kelvon Fuller, a 6'8'' power forward, 28 years old, graduated from Southeastern in 2019 after playing at Navarro JC between 2017 and 2018, currently plays professionally in the TBL. In a recent game, he played a pivotal role in leading the Glass City Wranglers to a resounding 121-97 victory over the Columbus Wizards in The Basketball League. Despite only scoring 4 points in 13 minutes, Fuller contributed significantly to the game by adding 3 rebounds and 1 assist. His performance, though modest in terms of scoring, was instrumental in his team's success, ultimately securing them the champion title in the match. Throughout the season, Fuller has maintained solid statistics, averaging 12.5 points, 10.2 rebounds, and 1.3 assists per game.
Other former Navarro College players, who play in pro basketball:
Makur Jongkuch (6'9''-C-1999, played in 2021-22) played for Penrith Panthers in Australian NBL One few monts ago
Josh Williams (6'3''-G, played in 2011-13) played for Texas Red Wolves in the ABA last year
Shakem Johnson (6'7''-F-1998, played in 2018-19) played for Chennai Heat in Indian INBL last year
Princeton Onwas (6'6''-G/F-1993, played in 2012-13) plays for Sony Centre Fury in Scottish SBC
German Kasanzi (6'5''-G-1999, played in 2019-23) plays for Getafe in Spanish Segunda FEB
Ja'Quaye James (5'9''-PG-1999, played in 2018-19) played for Albany Patroons in the TBL last year
Anthony Williams (5'10''-PG-1995, played in 2014-15) played for Keysborough Cougars in Australian Big V last year
John Egbuta (6'6''-F, played in 2020-21) plays for Stekas in Lithuanian NKL
My'Quan Gooding (6'6''-G, played in 2015-16) plays for Winston-Salem Wolves in the ECBL
Terrill Curb (6'4''-G, played in 2020-22) played for Team Sacrifice in the MBL last year
D'Angelo Hunter (6'7''-G-1996, played in 2015-17) played for Richards Elite in the The Basketball Tournament last year
John Millsap (6'6''-F-1982, played in 2001-03) played for Dallas Power in the Big3 last year
Kyndall Dykes (6'4''-SG-1987, played in 2005-07) plays for Petrojet in Egyptian Superleague
Eric McCollum (6'9''-F, played in 2016-17) played for Mount Vernon Power in the MBL last year
Sabry Philip (6'4''-G, played in 2020-22) played for Edmonton Stingers in CEBL last year
Notice: The list above includes only some of alumni playing currently in pro basketball. Check complete list of Navarro College basketball alumni.
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| | Nikolaos Stylianou (Cyprus) (Photo: @keravnosbc.)
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| | Jesse Zarzuela (Venezuela) (Photo: @cmumensbbal)
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| | Trey Pulliam (Lithuania) (Photo: @bcgargzdai)
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