EuroBasket Pro Aztecs Weekly Update

EuroBasket Pro Aztecs Weekly Update


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

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


   #1. Kawhi Leonard (6'7''-F-91, graduated '11, plays pro in the NBA) led Toronto Raptors to a victory over the New Orleans Pelicans (30-38) crushing them 127-104 in the NBA on Friday night. He was MVP of the game. Leonard recorded 31 points (!!!) in 27 minutes. The Toronto Raptors have a solid 47-19 record this season. Leonard has individually a very good year with high stats. He averages 27.1ppg, 7.3rpg, 3.3apg and 1.9spg.

   #2. Malcolm Thomas (6'9''-C-88, graduated '11, plays in Russia) could not help Khimki (9-16) in their last game. Despite Thomas' very good performance Khimki was badly defeated 104-86 on the road by the higher-ranked (#7) Baskonia. He was the top scorer with 19 points. Thomas also added 4 rebounds and 3 assists. It was Khimki's third consecutive loss in a row. This year Thomas averages 8.5ppg, 4.8rpg and 1.6apg in 25 games he played so far.

   #3. J.J. O'Brien (6'7''-F-92, graduated '15, currently in Kazakhstan) was the major contributor in Astana's victory against the closely-ranked Unics Kazan (14-4) 98-95 in the VTB United League last Saturday. O'Brien recorded a double-double by scoring 18 points and getting 13 rebounds. He also added 3 assists in 34 minutes. BK Astana (12-6) is placed fifth in the VTB United League. It was his team's fifth consecutive victory in a row. There are only two games left until the end of the VTB United League Regular Season. So now every game will be critical. This season O'Brien has very high stats. He averages 15.1ppg, 5.9rpg, 3.9apg and 1.1spg.

   #4. Experienced Marcus Slaughter (6'9''-C/F-85, graduated '06, plays pro in Turkey) contributed to a Bahcesehir Koleji Istanbul's victory against the 13th-ranked Sakarya BSB (5-13) 87-83 in the Turkish BSL on Saturday night. He recorded 8 points, 6 rebounds and 3 assists. Bahcesehir Koleji Istanbul (10-8) is placed eighth in the BSL. It's Slaughter's first season with the team. This year Slaughter averages 7.4ppg, 7.7rpg, 1.9apg and 1.5spg in 18 games.

   #5. Xavier Thames (6'3''-G-91, graduated '14, plays in Hungary) was the main contributor in Kormend's victory against the league outsider TF Budapest (2-19) 77-70 in the Hungarian A Division in Saturday night's game. Thames was MVP of the game. He scored 18 points and added 5 passes in 26 minutes. Egis Kormend (14-6) is placed second in the A Division. Thames has relatively good stats this season 11.3ppg, 3.2rpg, 3.0apg and 1.2spg.

   #6. Skylar Spencer (6'9''-F/C-94, graduated '16, currently in Romania) helped CSM Steaua Bucuresti win their game against the fourth-ranked Phoenix Galati crushing them 94-64 in the Romanian Liga Nationala last Thursday. Spencer scored 14 points, had 9 rebounds and made 2 blocks. Spencer has relatively good stats this year 11.5ppg, 8.2rpg, 2.5bpg and 1.3spg in 17 games.

   #7. Mehdi Cheriet (6'9''-PF-87, graduated '11, plays pro in France) helped SO Maritime Boulogne win their game against the 11th-ranked GET Vosges crushing them 112-88 in the French NM1 (third division) on Saturday night. Cheriet scored 12 points in 20 minutes. This season Cheriet averages 8.8ppg, 3.3rpg and 1.3apg. He has also French nationality.

   #8. Deshawn Stephens (6'8''-F-89, graduated '13, plays in Israel) was not able to help Rishon in their game against Maccabi T-A in the Israeli Winner League. Stephens scored 8 points. His team was edged 94-92. Stephens has relatively good stats this year 12.2ppg, 6.1rpg and 1.4apg in 20 games.

   #9. Dakarai Allen (6'5''-G-95, graduated '17, currently in the NBA G League) helped Grand Rapids Drive win their game against the Delaware Blue Coats 120-115 in the NBA G League last Saturday. Allen recorded 11 points in 21 minutes. This season Allen averages 6.9ppg and 4.1rpg.

   #10. Malik Pope (6'10''-F-96, graduated '18, plays pro in the NBA G League) was not able to secure a victory for the Greensboro Swarm in their game against the Windy City Bulls in the NBA G League. He recorded 8 points and grabbed 5 rebounds. His team lost 107-113 in the NBA G League. This year Pope averages 6.0ppg and 4.2rpg in 13 games.


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

Kyle Spain (6'5''-F-87) played for Club Deportivo Valdivia in Chilean Liga Nacional few monts ago
Lorrenzo Wade (6'7''-F-85) played for Capitanes in Mexican LNBP last year
Mohamed Abukar (6'10''-F-85) plays for Keravnos in Cypriot Division A
Richard Williams (5'10''-PG-87) plays for BK Pardubice in Czech Republic NBL
Josh Davis (6'8''-F-91) plays for Cyberdyne IR in Japanese B2 League
Jamaal Franklin (6'5''-SG-91) plays for Sichuan Blue Whales in Chinese CBA
Angelo Chol (6'9''-F-93) plays for Caceres Patrimonio de la Humanidad in Spanish LEB Gold
Ryan Amoroso (6'9''-F-85) played for UCC Piacenza in Italian Serie A2 last year
Niksha Federico (6'7''-G/F-95, played in 2013-17) plays for Araberri in Spanish LEB Gold
Brian Carlwell (6'11''-C-87) plays for Perry Lakes Hawks in Australian SBL
Winston Shepard (6'8''-PF-93) plays for Westports MD in Malaysian D2
Billy White (6'8''-F-89) plays for Moncton Magic in the NBL Canada
Trey Kell (6'4''-PG-96) plays for Moncton Magic in the NBL Canada
Max Montana (6'9''-F-96) plays for Hamburg in German ProA
Valentine Izundu (6'10''-C-95) played for Team Sacramento in the Eurobasket S.League last year

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

Kawhi Leonard (NBA) (Photo: @kawhileonar)

Malcolm Thomas (Russia) (Photo: @bckhimki)

J.J. O'Brien (Kazakhstan) (Photo: @jj.obrien.1)