EuroBasket Pro Cougars Weekly Update
Courtesy of Eurobasket LLC
Here is the weekly review of the top performing Cougars alumni, who are currently playing in pro basketball.
#1. Pat Robinson III, a 6'3'' guard who graduated from Charleston in 2023, has been making waves in the British Super League Basketball scene. Playing professionally in the United Kingdom, he recently led his team, Cheshire Phoenix, to a thrilling 95-92 victory over the league-leading Lions. In this game, Robinson III's stellar performance earned him the MVP title as he scored an impressive 28 points, along with 5 assists and 3 steals in just 32 minutes of play.
Despite being only in his third season of professional basketball, Robinson III has been showcasing his talent consistently. His remarkable stats of 20.4 points per game, 4.2 rebounds, and 4.6 assists over 27 games highlight his significant contribution to the team. This season, he was recognized with the All-CAA Sixth Man of the Year award, further solidifying his status as a champion player.
Cheshire Phoenix, currently placed second in the league with a record of 19-12, is gearing up for their final game of the Regular Season, which holds great importance for their standings. Robinson III's impact on the court has been undeniable, and his exceptional performance against London L. underscored his prowess as a finalist in the league. This being his first year with the team, Robinson III has quickly established himself as a key player to watch out for in the British Super League Basketball.
#2. John Meeks, a 6'6'' small forward and 27-year-old alum of the Cougars from 2022, currently plays professionally in Turkey. Recently, he showcased his skills for Galatasaray Ekmas Istanbul but was unable to lead them to victory against Efes in the Turkish ING Basketbol Super Ligi. Despite scoring 8 points and grabbing 6 rebounds in 23 minutes of play, Meeks and his team fell short against the higher-ranked Efes, losing 80-87 in a closely contested derby game. This defeat marked Galatasaray Ekmas Istanbul's first loss after a streak of three consecutive wins, emphasizing the importance of every remaining game in the Regular Season.
Meeks has been a consistent performer this season, averaging 7.3 points and 2.7 rebounds per game in the 23 games he has played so far. His notable performance against Efes, where he contributed both offensively and defensively, demonstrates his value to the team despite the unfavorable outcome. As the season progresses, Meeks will continue to strive for success and contribute to Galatasaray Ekmas Istanbul's efforts to secure victories in their remaining matches.
#3. Experienced Jeremy Simmons, a 6'9'' center who is 36 years old and graduated from Charleston in 2011, has been making waves in the professional basketball scene in Turkey. His journey began when he played a pivotal role in Charleston's triumph as the Southern Conference South Division Regular Season Co-Champion back in 2011.
Currently, Simmons is showcasing his skills in the Turkish ING Basketbol Super Ligi as a key player for Erokspor. In a recent game against Buyukcekmece, he displayed his prowess on the court by contributing 8 points, 10 rebounds, and 4 assists in just 22 minutes of play. This stellar performance helped Erokspor secure a crucial victory with a score of 79-67, solidifying Simmons' status as the champion of the game.
Esenler Erokspor Istanbul, with a record of 16-11, currently holds the seventh position in the league standings. With only three games remaining in the Regular Season, each match becomes increasingly vital for the team's standings.
Simmons' consistent contributions have been noteworthy throughout the season, averaging 8.3 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 1.5 assists per game across 27 appearances. His impressive statistics and on-court impact not only benefit his team but also showcase his skills as a top-tier player in the league.
It is also worth mentioning that Simmons participated in the Eurobasket Summer League, an experience that ultimately opened doors for him to pursue a professional basketball career.
#4. Frankie Policelli, a 6'9'' forward and 26-year-old alumnus of the Cougars from the class of 2024, played a pivotal role in their conquest of the CAA Regular Season Champion title that year. Currently competing professionally in the United Kingdom, Policelli finds himself alongside his former teammate, the aforementioned finalist Pat Robinson III, as they recently shared the court in the British Super League Basketball final game.
Policelli's impact was undeniable in a thrilling match where he led Cheshire Phoenix to a remarkable 95-92 victory over the league-leading Lions with his 18-point performance and 8 rebounds in 33 minutes of play. This impressive display is even more notable considering it is only Policelli's second season in the professional basketball realm, and his first with the team.
Furthermore, Policelli continued to shine on the court by contributing significantly with 18 points and 8 rebounds against London L., aiding his team in clinching another crucial win. His consistent and noteworthy performances exemplify his exceptional skills and unwavering determination, setting him apart as a standout player and a true champion.
Throughout the season, Policelli has maintained solid statistics with an average of 12.2 points, 5.6 rebounds, 1.1 assists, and 1.2 steals per game across 30 appearances. His consistent contributions both offensively and defensively underscore his value to the team and further solidify his status as a rising star in the professional basketball scene.
#5. Grant Riller, a 6'3'' shooting guard who graduated from Charleston in 2020 and received the All-CAA First Team award that year, is currently playing professionally in China. In a recent game, he played a crucial role in the Beijing Royal Fighters' victory over the seventh-ranked Heroes with a score of 87-81. Riller displayed his skills by scoring 21 points, grabbing 4 rebounds, and providing 8 assists in just 32 minutes on the court. This win marked the third consecutive victory for the Beijing Royal Fighters, who are currently ranked 12th in the league standings. With only one more game left in the Regular Season, every upcoming match is critical for the team.
Riller's exceptional performance against Shandong H. showcased why he is considered a champion. His 21 points, 4 rebounds, and 8 assists were instrumental in leading his team to victory. Throughout the season, Riller has maintained high stats, averaging 22.8 points, 2.7 rebounds, 3.1 assists, and 1.1 steals per game in the 37 games he has played. His consistent contributions and impressive statistics highlight his role as a finalist in the league.
#6. Jaylen McManus, a 6'7'' forward and 28-year-old alum of the Cougars from 2020, showcased his talent as a professional player in Switzerland by delivering a standout performance for Starwings. In a thrilling match against the closely-ranked Massagno, McManus played a pivotal role in his team's impressive 112-82 victory in the Swiss Basketball League on Sunday night. He demonstrated his versatility on the court by scoring 21 points, securing 7 rebounds, and distributing 5 assists in 34 minutes of play.
McManus's exceptional performance not only helped his team secure a decisive win but also highlighted his capabilities as a champion player. With his remarkable contributions, he proved to be a key factor in Starwings' success, showcasing his skills and determination on the court.
Throughout the season, McManus has consistently delivered strong performances, averaging 21.3 points per game (ranking fourth in the league), along with 7.0 rebounds and 2.2 assists in 24 games. His impressive stats reflect his dedication to the game and his ability to make a significant impact as a finalist in the league.
#7. Dimitrius Underwood, a 6'4'' forward who is 28 years old and a graduate of Charleston in 2022, currently plays professionally in Romania. In a recent game, despite his notable performance, Underwood was unable to assist Pitesti (16-12) in securing a victory. The team suffered a close defeat of 89-87 on the road against the lower-ranked Timisoara, who held the eighth position in the standings.
During the game, Underwood showcased his skills by achieving a double-double, contributing 13 points and securing 10 rebounds in 31 minutes of play. His remarkable performance included not only scoring but also assisting his teammates, with 1 assist added to his stats. Despite his individual efforts and impressive display against Timisoara, Pitesti was unable to secure the win.
Throughout the season, Underwood has consistently delivered strong performances, reflected in his impressive statistics. He has been averaging 15.8 points per game, 7.8 rebounds per game, 3.8 assists per game, and 1.9 steals per game across nine games, showcasing his value as a key player for his team.
#8. Benjamin Burnham, a 6'8'' forward who is a 24-year-old Hokies alumnus from 2025, previously played in Charleston between 2021 and 2024 where he helped them clinch the CAA Regular Season Champion title. Currently, he is playing professionally in Germany and recently led the Artland Dragons to a thrilling 84-82 victory over Muenster in the German BARMER 2. Basketball Bundesliga ProA, the second division league. In this game, he was named the MVP after an exceptional performance, scoring 18 points, grabbing 8 rebounds, and contributing 2 assists in 28 minutes of play.
Burnham's stellar display against Muenster showcased his skills and leadership on the court, ultimately leading his team to success. His remarkable stats throughout the season further emphasize his impact, averaging 19.6 points per game (the second-best in the league), 9.7 rebounds per game (the league's leader), along with 2.3 assists per game and 1.3 steals per game in 32 games. His consistent performance and impressive statistics undoubtedly establish him as a true champion in the league.
#9. Andrew Goudelock, a 6'3'' shooting guard who graduated from Charleston in 2011 and was honored with the All-Southern Conference Player of the Year award that year, currently plays professionally in Cyprus. In a recent game, despite his notable performance, Goudelock was unable to prevent APOEL from suffering a heavy defeat against AEK Larnaca, with a final score of 99-77 in favor of the latter.
Goudelock emerged as the second-highest scorer in the game, contributing 20 points during his 34 minutes on the court. His impressive display showcased his skills and scoring ability, yet it was not enough to secure a victory for his team. Throughout the season, Goudelock has maintained strong individual statistics, averaging 20.8 points, 2.4 rebounds, and 1.4 assists per game across five matches.
#10. British champion Andrew Lawrence, a 6'1'' guard and 35-year-old Cougars alumnus from 2013, received the All-Southern Conference First Team award that year. Currently playing professionally in the United Kingdom, Lawrence recently played for one of the league's struggling teams, the Surrey 89ers, who have a record of 14-17. In their last game, despite Lawrence's solid performance, the 89ers were narrowly defeated 120-117 by the Gladiators, who are ranked ninth in the league.
During the game, Lawrence showcased his skills with 10 points, 5 rebounds, and 6 assists in 31 minutes of play. His notable contribution was not enough to secure a victory for his team. Throughout this season, Lawrence has been averaging 2.8 points per game and 2.6 assists per game across 23 games.
Other former College of Charleston players, who play in pro basketball:
Christopher Fulton (6'2''-G-2002, played in 2023-25) plays for Iowa Wolves in the NBA G League
Ante Brzovic (6'10''-F-2000, played in 2022-25) plays for ZTE KK in Hungarian A Division
Reyne Smith (6'2''-G-2002, played in 2021-24) plays for Maitland Mustangs in Australian NBL One
Antwaine Wiggins (6'8''-F-1988, played in 2007-12) plays for Al Hurriyeh in Syrian SBL
Jarrell Brantley (6'7''-PF-1996, played in 2015-19) plays for Nagasaki Velca in Japanese B1 League
Derrin Boyd (6'3''-G-2000, played in 2024-25) plays for Franklin Bulls in New Zealand NBL
Dalton Bolon (6'4''-G) played for DuBois Dream in the The Basketball Tournament few monts ago
Notice: The list above includes only some of alumni playing currently in pro basketball. Check complete list of College of Charleston basketball alumni.
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| | Pat Robinson III (United Kingdom) (Photo: @kresiniokom)
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| | John Meeks (Turkey) (Photo: @bhbasket)
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| | Jeremy Simmons (Turkey) (Photo: @brusselsbas)
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