EuroBasket Pro Aggies Weekly Update

- April 24, 2026

POSTED BY: Eurobasket News

EuroBasket Pro Aggies Weekly Update

Utah St. logo Courtesy of Eurobasket LLC

Every week we bring you a list of the top former Aggies players who continue their career in pro basketball.
Look at great performance of Christopher Smith (31 points), Justin Bean (9 points), and Neemias Queta (13 points).

   #1. Christopher Smith, a 6'4'' guard who graduated from Utah St. in 2016 and received the All-MWC Third Team award that year, currently plays professionally in Japan. Despite his remarkable performance, Smith could not lead the Hiroshima Dragonflies to victory in their recent game against the Magic, resulting in a narrow 104-102 loss for the sixth-placed team in the West group. In the game, Smith stood out as the top scorer with 31 points and contributed 7 rebounds in 39 minutes of play. With only four games remaining in the Regular Season, each match becomes increasingly crucial for the team's standings. In a previous game against Shimane SM, Smith displayed another outstanding performance by scoring 31 points, securing 7 rebounds, and providing 1 assist. Despite his stellar efforts, Hiroshima D. was unable to secure the win. Throughout the season, Smith has consistently demonstrated his skill on the court, averaging 19.5 points per game, along with 4.7 rebounds, 2.9 assists, and 1.1 steals per game. His individual performance has been impressive, reflecting his dedication and talent as a champion player.

   #2. Justin Bean, a 6'7'' forward and a 29-year-old Aggies alumnus from the class of 2022, has been making waves in the professional basketball scene in Germany. Recently, he played a crucial role in ALBA Berlin's victory over the sixth-ranked ratiopharm Ulm with a score of 89-77 in the German easyCredit BBL. Bean showcased his skills by scoring 9 points and grabbing 7 rebounds in just 27 minutes of play. This outstanding performance helped propel ALBA Berlin, currently placed second in the league with a record of 22-8, to a well-deserved win. Bean's contribution on the court against Ulm demonstrated his prowess as a champion player. His ability to score points and secure rebounds proved instrumental in leading his team to victory. Throughout the season, Bean has maintained solid statistics, averaging 10.8 points per game and 5.7 rebounds per game. His consistent performance and impactful presence on the court have solidified his reputation as a true champion in the league.

   #3. Portuguese basketball champion Neemias Queta, a 6'11'' center who is 26 years old and graduated from Utah State in 2021, is now a finalist in the NBA. He was honored with the All-MWC Defensive Player of the Year award in the same year he graduated. Recently, he played a key role in leading the Boston Celtics to a convincing victory over the Philadelphia 76ers, with a scoreline of 123-91 in favor of the Celtics. Despite the Celtics having a somewhat unimpressive 56-25 record this season, Queta's performance stood out. In the game against the Philadelphia 76ers, Queta showcased his skills by contributing 13 points, 2 rebounds, and 1 assist in just 15 minutes of play. His remarkable display on the court was instrumental in securing the win for his team, highlighting why he is indeed a champion. Throughout the season, Queta has maintained solid statistics, averaging 10.2 points, 8.2 rebounds, 1.6 assists, and 1.3 blocks per game, further solidifying his status as a top player in the league.

   #4. Brandon Horvath, a 27-year-old former Aggies alumnus from 2022, is currently playing professionally in Slovakia. In a recent game, he led the Nitra Blue Wings to a convincing 89-70 victory over the seventh-ranked Lucenec team. Horvath's outstanding performance earned him the title of MVP of the game, as he contributed 18 points, 8 rebounds, and 3 assists in just 26 minutes of play. The Nitra Blue Wings, with a record of 25-11, currently hold the second position in the league standings, thanks in part to Horvath's consistent contributions. This recent win marked the team's fourth consecutive victory, showcasing their strong form in the competition. Throughout the season, Horvath has maintained impressive individual statistics, averaging 15.3 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 2.1 assists per game. His exceptional skills on the court have established him as a true champion and a key player for the Nitra Blue Wings.

   #5. British Daniel Akin, a 6'9'' center who is 27 years old and graduated from Utah St. in 2023, currently plays professionally in Greece. Akin, who was honored with the All-MWC Sixth Man of the Year award in 2023, recently played for Kolossos, one of the weakest teams in the Greek Stoiximan Basketball League. In a game against Maroussi, another struggling team with a 6-17 record, Akin showcased his skills by scoring 9 points, grabbing 7 rebounds, dishing out 3 assists, and blocking 3 shots in just 24 minutes of play. Unfortunately, despite Akin's impressive performance, Kolossos was defeated by Maroussi with a final score of 108-93. This loss marked Kolossos' third consecutive defeat. With only one more game left in the Regular Season, Akin's team is facing a critical match ahead. This is Akin's first season with Kolossos, and he has been averaging 6.9 points per game and 6.0 rebounds per game throughout the season. Despite his individual contributions and solid statistics, Akin's team has been struggling to secure victories in the league. The upcoming game will be crucial for Kolossos as they aim to improve their standing in the league.

   #6. Portuguese champion Diogo Brito, a 6'6'' guard who is 29 years old and an Aggies alumnus from 2020, played a crucial role in helping his team win the MWC Tournament that year. Currently playing professionally in Spain, Brito recently suited up for Monbus Obradoiro CAB Santiago de Compostela (25-4). Despite his commendable efforts, Obradoiro suffered a narrow 99-96 defeat on the road against the lower-ranked Grupo Ureta Tizona Burgos (#15) in their recent game last Tuesday. Brito showcased his skills by contributing 11 points and 3 assists in just 19 minutes of play. He displayed a noteworthy performance against Burgos T., scoring 11 points, securing 1 rebound, and distributing 3 assists. However, despite Brito's notable performance, his team was unable to secure the victory. Throughout this season, Brito has been maintaining an average of 8.2 points per game, along with 2.8 rebounds and 1.9 assists per game.

   #7. Costa Rican Ian Martinez, a 6'3'' guard aged 24 who graduated from Utah St. in 2025 and received the All-MWC First Team award that year, currently plays professionally in Austria. In a recent game last Wednesday, Martinez, despite delivering an outstanding performance, was unable to lead Unger Steel Gunners Oberwart (20-10) to victory. The second-placed Oberwart suffered an 89-81 defeat in Gmunden against the leading Swans in the Places 1-6 group, with Martinez emerging as the top scorer with 23 points. Additionally, he contributed 4 rebounds, showcasing his flawless accuracy by going 6-for-6 from the free-throw line, all within 31 minutes of play. Martinez exhibited an impressive performance against Gmunden, demonstrating his scoring prowess with 23 points, grabbing 4 rebounds, and distributing 2 assists. Despite his remarkable efforts, his team ultimately fell short on the scoreboard. Throughout the season, Martinez has consistently excelled, boasting impressive statistics with an average of 18.5 points per game, 3.0 rebounds per game, and 3.1 assists per game.

   #8. Sam Merrill, a 6'5'' guard and 29-year-old Aggies alumnus from 2020, made a significant impact in the NBA as a pro player. Recently, he played a crucial role in a game where the Cleveland Cavaliers emerged victorious against the Toronto Raptors with a score of 126-113. In this game, Merrill showcased his talent by contributing 7 points, 4 rebounds, and 2 assists in just 21 minutes of play. His remarkable performance not only helped his team secure the win but also highlighted his capabilities as a champion. Throughout the season, Merrill has maintained impressive statistics, averaging 12.3 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 2.3 assists per game. His consistent performance on the court reflects his dedication and skill, making him a standout finalist in the league.

   #9. Belgian Aubin Gateretse, a towering 6'11'' forward/center at 24 years old and a Utah St. graduate from 2025, showcased his skills as a professional player in Belgium by leading his team, Hubo Limburg United, to a convincing victory over the struggling Rotterdam team in the BNXT League. Gateretse's impact was undeniable as he contributed 12 points, 4 rebounds, and 1 assist in just 14 minutes of play. His impressive performance not only helped secure the win but also highlighted his capability as a champion on the court. Throughout the season, Gateretse has maintained solid averages of 8.8 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 1.1 assists per game, demonstrating his consistent contribution to his team's success.

   #10. Dexter Akanno, a 6'5'' guard and 25-year-old Aggies alumnus from 2025 who currently plays professionally in France, found himself unable to lead Caen Basket Calvados (12-23) to victory in their recent game last Tuesday. Despite his strong performance, Caen suffered a 106-98 defeat at the hands of the league underdog Vendee (#20) in Challans. During the game, Akanno showcased his skills by contributing 12 points, securing 5 rebounds, and making 2 assists in just 21 minutes on the court. His noteworthy performance against Challans highlighted his scoring ability, rebounding prowess, and playmaking skills. However, even with Akanno's impressive display, Caen was unable to secure the win. Throughout the season, Akanno has maintained solid statistics, averaging 11.2 points per game and 5.2 rebounds per game. Despite the team's recent setback, Akanno's consistent contributions on the court demonstrate his value as a key player for Caen Basket Calvados.

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

Darius Brown II (6'2''-G-1999, played in 2023-24) plays for Cleveland Cavaliers in the NBA
RJ Eytle-Rock (6'4''-G-1998, played in 2021-23) plays for Surrey 89ers in British SLB
Alexis Dargenton (6'8''-F-1994, played in 2015-15) played for Tours in French NM1 few monts ago
Kris Clark (6'3''-G-1985, played in 2004-08) plays for Guba in Azerbaijani ABL
Arvydas Vaitiekus (6'11''-C-1983, played in 2005-05) played for Mannheim in German 2.Regionalliga last year
Shane Rector (6'2''-G-1994, played in 2015-17) plays for Al Madina in Libyan D1
Tai Wesley (6'7''-F-1986, played in 2004-04) played for GUM NT in Guamanian last year
Zakhar Vedischev (6'6''-G-2000, played in 2020-21) played for Dinamo Vladivostok in Russian Superleague last year
Jarred Shaw (6'11''-C-1990, played in 2011-11) played for Tangerang in Indonesian IBL last year
Taylor Funk (6'8''-F-1997, played in 2023-23) plays for San Diego Clippers in the NBA G League

Notice: The list above includes only some of alumni playing currently in pro basketball. Check complete list of Utah State University basketball alumni.