EuroBasket Pro Sun Devils Weekly Update

EuroBasket Pro Sun Devils Weekly Update


Courtesy of Sports I.T. Solutions / Eurobasket.com

Traditionally, every week we bring you a list of the top former Sun Devils players who continue their career in pro basketball.


   #1. James Harden (6'5''-SG-89, graduated '09, plays pro in the NBA) led Houston Rockets to a 3-point victory over the Miami Heat (27-34) 121-118 in the NBA in Thursday night's game. He was MVP of the game. Harden had a double-double by scoring 58 points and making 10 passes. He also added 7 rebounds and 4 steals (was perfect 18-for-18 from the free throw line !!!) in 44 minutes. The Houston Rockets have 37-25 record this season. It was his team's fourth consecutive victory in a row. It's Harden's seventh year with the team. Harden has individually a very good season with high stats. He averages 36.6ppg, 6.6rpg, 7.7apg and 2.2spg in 58 games he played so far.

   #2. Jeff Ayres (6'9''-F-87, graduated '09, plays in Japan) was the major contributor in a Ryukyu GK's victory against the sixth-ranked Levanga Hokkaido Sapporo (10-31) 72-57 in the Japanese B League last Saturday. Ayres recorded a double-double by scoring 18 points and getting 14 rebounds. Ryukyu Golden Kings Okinawa (26-15) is placed first in West group. Ayres has relatively good stats this season 14.9ppg, 9.1rpg and 1.9apg.

   #3. Eric Jacobsen (6'10''-PF-94, graduated '16, currently in Japan), who plays in the Japanese B League could not help Fukuoka Rizing (10-31) in their last game. Despite Jacobsen's good performance the fifth-placed Fukuoka Rizing (10-31) was crushed 102-63 on the road by the leading Chiba Jets in the West group. He was the second best scorer with 11 points. Jacobsen also added 9 rebounds (was perfect 5-for-5 from the free throw line) in 32 minutes. Jacobsen has very impressive stats this year 15.9ppg, 8.5rpg and 2.0apg in 21 games.

   #4. Willie Atwood (6'7''-F-94, graduated '16, plays pro in United Kingdom) was not able to help Surrey Scorchers in their game against London Lions (16-2) in the British BBL. Atwood scored 6 points and grabbed 7 rebounds. Surrey Scorchers was defeated 93-79 in London by the leading Lions. It's Atwood's first season with the team. He has relatively good stats this year 10.9ppg, 6.4rpg, 2.5apg and 1.1spg.

   #5. Jonathan Gilling (6'8''-F-91, graduated '15, plays in Spain) contributed to a Melilla Baloncesto's victory against the 11th-ranked Lleida Basquet (11-13) 83-72 in the Spanish LEB Gold (second division) last Friday. Gilling scored 6 points in 21 minutes. Melilla Baloncesto (16-8) is placed second in the LEB Gold. It was his team's sixth consecutive victory in a row. It's Gilling's first season with the team. This year he averages 6.1ppg, 3.1rpg and 1.2apg in 21 games.

   #6. Rihards Kuksiks (6'7''-SF-88, graduated '11, currently in Italy) was not able to secure a victory for Baltur Cento in their game against UCC Piacenza in the Italian Serie A2 (second division). Kuksiks scored 5 points and grabbed 4 rebounds. His team was edged 63-61. This season he averages 8.5ppg, 3.8rpg and 1.2spg.

   #7. Obinna Oleka (6'7''-PF-93, graduated '17, plays pro in Canada) couldn't help the St. John's Edge in their game against the Titans in the NBLCanada. Oleka scored 6 points and grabbed 11 rebounds in 29 minutes. His team lost 105-117. This year he averages 7.6ppg and 10.4rpg in 23 games. Oleka is a naturalized Nigerian.


Other former Arizona State University players, who play in pro basketball:

Kodi Justice (6'7''-G-95) plays for Stelmet Enea BC Zielona Gora in Polish EBL
Shaquielle McKissic (6'5''-SF-90) plays for Gaziantep Basketbol in Turkish BSL
Gerry Blakes (6'4''-G-93) plays for MIA-RO Cantu in Italian Serie A
Tra Holder (6'1''-G-95) plays for Fraport Skyliners Frankfurt in German BBL
Torian Graham (6'5''-G-93) plays for Den Bosch in Dutch Eredivisie
Tyshawn Abbott (6'4''-G-88) played for Rayos de Hermosillo in Mexican CIBACOPA few monts ago
Ikechukwu Diogu (6'9''-F/C-83) played for Vaqueros de Bayamon in Puerto Rican BSN last year
Ruslan Pateev (7'0''-C-90) plays for Legia Warszawa in Polish EBL
Jahii Carson (5'10''-PG-92) plays for Pitesti in Romanian Liga Nationala
Shannon Evans II (6'1''-G-94) plays for Atomeromu in Hungarian A Division
Jermaine Marshall (6'4''-G-90) plays for Nantes in French ProB
Eric Boateng (6'10''-C-85) plays for Saint Vallier Basket Drome in French NM1
Jordan Bachynski (7'2''-C-89) played for Formosa Dreamers in Taiwanese ASEAN League last year
Bo Barnes (6'4''-G-90) played for Forks Up in the The Basketball Tournament last year

Notice: The list above includes only some of the Arizona State University alumni playing currently in pro basketball. Check COMPLETE LIST.

James Harden (NBA) (Photo: @gohard13)

Jeff Ayres (Japan) (Photo: @Jeff-Ayres-)

Eric Jacobsen (Japan) (Photo: @rizingfukuo)