POSTED BY: Eurobasket News
EuroBasket Pro Red Hawks Weekly Update
Courtesy of Eurobasket LLC
Here is the weekly review of the top performing Red Hawks alumni, who are currently playing in pro basketball.
#1. Emmanuel Wembi, a towering 6'9'' center, is a 28-year-old athlete who graduated from Lenoir-Rhyne in 2019. He previously played for Catawba Valley between 2015 and 2017 before embarking on his professional basketball journey in Spain. Despite his best efforts, Wembi could not lead Menorca (17-15) to victory against the formidable Coruna (28-4) in the Spanish Primera FEB, the second division league.
In the match against Coruna, Wembi showcased his skills by scoring 6 points, securing 4 rebounds, and providing 1 assist in just 14 minutes of gameplay. Despite his impressive individual performance, Menorca fell short on the road, losing 76-81 to the second-ranked Coruna team. This season marks Wembi's debut with Menorca, and he has been averaging 6.2 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 1.1 assists per game across the 34 games he has played so far.
Wembi, a naturalized Congolese player, continues to demonstrate his talent and dedication on the basketball court, striving to make a significant impact for his team as they compete in the challenging Spanish league.
#2. Donovan Evans, standing at 5'9'' and a guard who graduated in 2021 and currently plays professionally in the East Coast Basketball League (ECBL), was unable to lead the North Carolina Coyotes (3-8) to victory in their recent match against the Goldsboro Wings. Despite Evans' commendable performance, where he scored 13 points, grabbed 7 rebounds, and provided 1 assist, the NC Coyotes (#5) ultimately fell short with a final score of 106-113.
With only two games remaining in the East Coast Basketball League Regular Season, every upcoming match will be crucial for the team. Evans showcased his skills against the Goldsboro Wings, displaying his scoring ability, rebounding prowess, and playmaking skills. Nevertheless, even with his impressive individual stats this season - averaging 15.8 points, 2.9 rebounds, 2.4 assists, and 2.6 steals per game in eight appearances - his team is still striving to secure victories and improve their standing in the league.
#3. Victor Tshiona, standing tall at 6'8'' and playing as a forward, graduated from Thomas University in 2022. However, he previously played for Catawba Valley between 2017 and 2019 before transitioning to the professional level in the East Coast Basketball League (ECBL). In a recent game, Tshiona proved instrumental in Kingdom Life Basketball Club's triumph over the Gastonia Snipers, with a final score of 136-132. Despite scoring only 4 points, he showcased his prowess by securing 11 rebounds during the intense matchup.
This game was highly anticipated as it featured two of the top-ranked teams in the Southern Conference, with Kingdom Life Basketball Club holding a somewhat modest 8-3 record for the season. The victory marked Tshiona's team's fourth consecutive win, highlighting their current momentum as they head towards the ECBL playoffs. With only three games remaining in the regular season, each upcoming match becomes increasingly crucial for securing a favorable position in the standings.
Tshiona's notable performance against the Gastonia Snipers not only contributed to the team's success but also exemplified his capabilities as a champion on the court. Despite his modest scoring output, his impressive 11 rebounds and 1 assist were pivotal in clinching the victory. Throughout the season, Tshiona has maintained solid averages of 5.8 points per game and 9.1 rebounds per game across 10 matchups, further solidifying his reputation as a skilled finalist in the league.
#4. Cole Johnson, a 6'4'' guard/forward and 25-year-old Trojans alumni from the class of 2023, recently showcased his skills in a game for the Lebanon Leprechauns in The Basketball League. Despite only scoring 3 points in 14 minutes, Johnson's performance was crucial in helping his team secure a 124-111 victory over the Grove City Whitetails, who have a 5-16 record.
The Lebanon Leprechauns currently hold a 17-4 record this season, which, although not overly impressive, positions them well as they head towards the end of the regular season. With only three games left, every match becomes critical for the team.
In the game against Grove City Whitetails, Johnson not only scored but also contributed with a rebound and two assists, highlighting his versatility on the court. His efforts were instrumental in the Lebanon Leprechauns emerging as the champion.
Throughout this season, Johnson has maintained an average of 8.1 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 1.2 assists per game across 21 games. His well-rounded performance has been a significant asset to his team.
It's also worth noting that Johnson's participation in the Eurobasket Summer League played a pivotal role in helping him secure a professional basketball opportunity, ultimately leading him to play in The Basketball League.
Other former Catawba Valley College players, who play in pro basketball:
Tony Hauser (6'8''-PF-2000, played in 2019-21) plays for Limerick Celtics in Irish Super League
Jahleer Black (6'4''-F, played in 2018-20) played for Kingdom Life Basketball Club in the ECBL few monts ago
Alex Lineberger (6'1''-G, played in 2017-19) played for Hickory Hoyas in the ECBL last year
Matthew Powell (6'1''-G-1997, played in 2015-17) played for PrimeTime Players in the ECBL last year
Jeremiah Keith (6'5''-G, played in 2018-20) plays for Kingdom Life Basketball Club in the ECBL
Jakari Dula (6'3''-SF, played in 2023-24) played for Hickory Hoyas in the ECBL last year
Isayah Johnson (6'7''-C-1998, played in 2017-19) plays for PrimeTime Players in the ECBL
Evan Presnell (6'0''-SG, played in 2022-24) played for Hickory Hoyas in the ECBL last year
Notice: The list above includes only some of alumni playing currently in pro basketball. Check complete list of Catawba Valley College basketball alumni.
Emmanuel Wembi is last week best Red Hawks alumni, who plays professional basketball (Photo: @bcventspils)
