POSTED BY: Eurobasket News
EuroBasket Pro Bulldogs Weekly Update
Courtesy of Eurobasket LLC
Here is the weekly review of the top performing Bulldogs alumni, who are currently playing in pro basketball.
#1. Merritt Hempe, a 6'3'' forward who is 31 years old and graduated from Georgia in 2016, currently plays professionally in Spain. In the recent game, Hempe, despite her exceptional performance, could not assist Zaragoza (7-5) to a victory, as they lost 56-63 on the road to the leading Galatasaray. Hempe stood out as the top scorer, contributing 18 points and 8 rebounds in just 24 minutes of play.
Against Galatasaray, Hempe displayed an impressive performance, showcasing her skills with 18 points, 8 rebounds, and 1 assist. Despite her stellar efforts, Zaragoza fell short and ended up losing the game. Throughout the season, Hempe has maintained relatively good stats, averaging 11.3 points per game and 4.5 rebounds per game in the 19 games she has played so far. It is also noteworthy that she is a naturalized American player.
#2. Javyn Nicholson, a 6'2'' forward and 24-year-old Bulldogs alumna from the class of 2024, has been making waves in the professional basketball scene in Belgium. Despite it only being her second season in the pros, Nicholson has been a standout player for Kangoeroes Basket Mechelen, leading them to an impressive undefeated streak of 22-0 in the Belgian Top Division Women.
In a recent game against the fifth-ranked LDP Donza, Nicholson showcased her skills by delivering a stellar performance. She secured a double-double with 14 points and 10 rebounds in just 26 minutes of play, contributing significantly to her team's dominant 98-44 victory. This victory further solidified Kangoeroes' position as the top team in the league.
Nicholson's impact on the court has been undeniable, with her averaging 17.8 points per game (the second best in the league), along with 8.4 rebounds, 1.6 assists, and 1.3 steals over the course of 26 games. Her remarkable contributions have not gone unnoticed, establishing her as a formidable force and a true champion in the league.
#3. Zoesha Smith, a former Georgia Tech standout who transitioned to playing professionally in Slovakia, recently showcased her skills in a game where her team, Ruzomberok, faced off against the leading team, Piestanske Cajky. Despite Smith's commendable efforts, Ruzomberok ultimately fell short with a final score of 56-63. Smith's performance was noteworthy, as she recorded a double-double by contributing 16 points and securing 14 rebounds in just 31 minutes of play. This impressive display was particularly remarkable considering it is Smith's debut season in professional basketball.
In the face of tough competition, Smith's standout performance against Piestanske Cajky did not go unnoticed. Her notable contributions of scoring 16 points, grabbing 14 rebounds, and providing 1 assist earned her the prestigious Triple-Double Badge from eurobasket.com, solidifying her reputation as a true champion on the court.
Throughout the season, Smith has maintained solid statistics, averaging 14.5 points per game, 9.5 rebounds per game (the second-best in the league), along with 1.2 assists per game and 1.1 steals per game across 13 matchups. With her consistent performance and impactful contributions, Smith continues to prove herself as a formidable finalist in the professional basketball arena.
#4. Canadian Roxane Makolo, a 5'10'' guard and 25-year-old Bulldogs alumna from the class of 2025, showcased her talent while playing professionally in Chile. In a recent game, Makolo unfortunately could not lead her team, Gimnastico, to a victory as they suffered a 82-61 defeat against the higher-ranked (#3) Univ. Concepcion on the road. Despite the loss, Makolo put on an impressive performance, recording a double-double with 19 points, 12 rebounds, and 4 assists in 40 minutes of play.
The Regular Season has concluded, and Makolo's outstanding display in the game against Univ. Concepcion earned her the prestigious Triple-Double Badge from eurobasket.com, acknowledging her exceptional abilities on the court. Throughout the season, Makolo has maintained high statistics, averaging 21.7 points per game (ranking third in the league), 11.0 rebounds per game (also third best in the league), and 2.7 assists per game over three games.
Additionally, it is worth noting that Makolo holds a DR Congolese passport, adding to her diverse background as a talented basketball player.
Other former University of Georgia players, who play in pro basketball:
Que Morrison (5'8''-G-1998, played in 2017-22) plays for Campobasso in Italian Serie A1
Malury Bates (6'3''-F-1999, played in 2017-23) plays for Brandys in Czech Republic ZBL
Maya Caldwell (5'11''-G-1998, played in 2017-21) plays for Shandong Sports Lottery in Chinese WCBA
Simone Costa (5'10''-G-1996, played in 2016-18) plays for Sporting in Portuguese Liga Feminina
Diamond Battles (5'8''-G-2000, played in 2023-23) played for Haukar in Icelandic Subway League few monts ago
Chloe Chapman (5'7''-G-2000, played in 2019-24) plays for Peja 03 in Kosovan Superliga
Alisha Lewis (5'7''-G-2001, played in 2022-23) played for McKinnon Cougars in Australian Big V last year
Audrey Warren (5'11''-G/F-1999, played in 2022-23) plays for KACM in Moroccan DEX-D
Notice: The list above includes only some of alumni playing currently in pro basketball. Check complete list of University of Georgia basketball alumni.
Merritt Hempe is last week best Bulldogs alumni, who plays professional basketball (Photo: @BasketZaragoza)
