EuroBasket Pro Hurricanes Weekly Update

EuroBasket Pro Hurricanes Weekly Update


Courtesy of Eurobasket LLC

Here is the weekly review of the top performing Hurricanes alumni, who are currently playing in pro basketball.


   #1. Experienced champion Shane Larkin, a 6'0'' point guard at 33 years old, who graduated from Miami, FL in 2013 and received the All-ACC All-Tournament MVP award that year, currently plays professionally in Turkey. In a recent game, he played a pivotal role in Anadolu Efes Istanbul's victory over the closely-ranked Turk Telekom with a score of 101-91 in the Turkish ING Basketbol Super Ligi. Larkin showcased his skills by contributing 18 points, 6 rebounds, and 9 assists in just 32 minutes of play. Anadolu Efes Istanbul, with a record of 18-10, currently holds the fifth position in the league standings. With only two games remaining in the Regular Season, each match becomes crucial for the team's final placement. This marks Larkin's eighth season with the team, and his exceptional performance against Turk Telekom further solidified his reputation as a finalist. Larkin's overall performance this season has been commendable, averaging 12.6 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 5.8 assists per game in the five games he has played so far. It is noteworthy that Larkin holds both American and Turkish citizenship, allowing him to play in Turkey as a domestic player.

   #2. Isaiah Wong, a 6'4'' shooting guard and Hurricanes alumnus from 2023, who received the prestigious All-ACC Player of the Year award in that same year, currently plays professionally in Spain. Recently, he led Draemland Gran Canaria to a remarkable victory over the eighth-ranked Unicaja with a close score of 101-100 in the Spanish Liga Endesa. In this particular game, he was named the MVP after scoring an incredible 29 points and providing 5 assists in just 34 minutes of play. This remarkable performance is even more impressive considering he is only in his third season in professional basketball. Despite his team, Draemland Gran Canaria, being placed 15th in the league with a record of 9-20, Wong's individual contributions have been noteworthy this season. He has maintained solid statistics averaging 14.2 points, 2.0 rebounds, and 2.0 assists per game over the course of 29 games. His exceptional display on the court against Unicaja truly showcased his capabilities as a champion in the making.

   #3. Lonnie Walker IV, a 6'5'' shooting guard who graduated from the University of Miami in 2018 and received an All-ACC Honorable Mention award that year, currently plays professionally in Israel. In a recent game, he led Maccabi Playtika Tel-Aviv to a 102-92 victory over the 12th-ranked E.Netanya, contributing 15 points and 3 assists in 26 minutes of play. Maccabi Playtika Tel-Aviv, with a record of 18-1, holds the top spot in the league, having secured their 13th consecutive win. This is Walker IV's first season with the team, and he has been making a significant impact on the court. His standout performance against E.Netanya showcased his skills, with 15 points, 2 rebounds, and 3 assists, proving instrumental in his team's success as the champion. Individually, Walker IV has been having a stellar year, averaging 15.5 points, 2.1 rebounds, 1.8 assists, and 1.5 steals per game over 10 games. His impressive stats and on-court contributions highlight his importance to Maccabi Playtika Tel-Aviv as they strive for success in the league.

   #4. Nigerian basketball champion Ebuka Izundu, a 29-year-old center standing at 6'10'' and an alumnus of the Hurricanes from 2019, currently plays professionally in Serbia. In a recent matchup, Izundu led Crvena zvezda to a resounding victory against the league leader Zlatibor, with a final score of 112-73 in the Serbian Meridianbet Kosarkaska lige Srbije. This game took place on Wednesday night. Despite it being his first game of the season for Crvena zvezda, Izundu showcased his skills by contributing 12 points, 5 rebounds, and 2 blocks in just 18 minutes of play. This standout performance occurred in a highly anticipated game between two top 3 ranked teams in their group, with Crvena zvezda currently holding the second position. Izundu's remarkable display on the court against Zlatibor, where he scored 12 points and secured 5 rebounds, was instrumental in his team's triumph. His exceptional performance demonstrated his abilities as a champion and significantly aided in Crvena zvezda's success in the match. Furthermore, it is noteworthy that Izundu holds both American and Nigerian citizenship, allowing him to potentially play in Nigeria as a domestic player.

   #5. Puerto Rican Angel Rodriguez, a 5'11'' point guard who is 33 years old and a graduate of the University of Miami in 2016, currently plays professionally in Puerto Rico. In a recent game, Rodriguez, who received the All-ACC Third Team award in 2016, unfortunately couldn't lead his team, Cangrejeros de Santurce, to victory. Despite his exceptional performance, where he scored 19 points and contributed 8 assists in 34 minutes, Santurce was narrowly defeated 96-95 by the Piratas, who were ranked lower at #6 in Group B. This loss marked the third consecutive defeat for Cangrejeros de Santurce. In a previous game against Quebradillas, Rodriguez showcased his skills by scoring 19 points, securing 3 rebounds, and distributing 8 assists, yet his team still fell short and suffered a loss. Throughout the season, Rodriguez has maintained solid statistics, averaging 11.8 points, 2.9 rebounds, 6.1 assists, and 1.6 steals per game over the course of 11 games.

   #6. Jalen Blackmon, a talented 6'3'' guard and Hurricanes alumni from 2025, showcased his skills as a professional player in Belgium by leading his team, Hubo Limburg United, to a convincing victory over the 15th-ranked Leeuwarden in a recent BNXT League matchup. In a stellar performance on Saturday night, Blackmon displayed his prowess by scoring an impressive 28 points in just 33 minutes of play, earning him the title of MVP for the game. Not only did Blackmon contribute significantly on the scoreboard, but he also demonstrated versatility by grabbing 3 rebounds and dishing out 2 assists during the game. His exceptional performance was instrumental in his team's 106-79 victory over Leeuwarden, further establishing his reputation as a champion in the league. Throughout the season, Blackmon has consistently delivered outstanding results, boasting impressive statistics. With an average of 23.4 points per game, making him the second-best scorer in the league, along with 2.8 rebounds and 3.0 assists per game across 31 games, Blackmon has proven himself to be a standout player in the league, showcasing his determination and skill on the court.

   #7. In a thrilling match on Thursday night in the Puerto Rican Baloncesto Superior Nacional, New Zealand's Samuel Waardenburg, a 6'10'' forward aged 27 and a Miami, FL graduate from 2022, showcased his skills as a key player for the Indios de Mayaguez. The team secured a narrow 102-101 victory over the Criollos, thanks in large part to Waardenburg's standout performance. The champion contributed significantly by recording a double-double, scoring 25 points, securing 11 rebounds, and distributing 5 assists during his impressive 39-minute display on the court. Waardenburg's remarkable showing against the Criollos highlighted his prowess as a vital player for the team. His exceptional performance not only helped secure the victory but also earned him the prestigious Triple-Double Badge from eurobasket.com. Throughout the season, the finalist has consistently delivered strong performances, boasting impressive averages of 16.5 points, 7.7 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and 1.2 steals per game over 13 games, showcasing his skills and value to the team.

   #8. In a thrilling Wednesday night game in the Hungarian Nemzeti Bajnoksag I/A league, Anthony Walker, a 25-year-old 6'9'' forward and Hoosiers alumni from 2024, showcased his exceptional skills as he led Kaposvari to a resounding 102-78 victory over the eighth-ranked DEAC team. Despite his previous stint in Miami, FL between 2019 and 2023, Walker has seamlessly transitioned into the professional basketball scene in Hungary. During the game, Walker proved to be a pivotal player, recording a double-double with 19 points and 12 rebounds, along with contributing 3 crucial blocks in just 26 minutes of play. His remarkable performance against DEAC not only secured the win for his team but also earned him the prestigious Triple-Double Badge from eurobasket.com, highlighting his prowess as a champion on the court. Throughout the season, Walker has maintained solid statistics, averaging 13.5 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 1.4 assists per game across 31 appearances. His consistent contributions and standout performances undoubtedly position him as a finalist to watch in the Hungarian league, as he continues to make a significant impact with his skills and determination.

   #9. Bruce Brown, a 6'5'' shooting guard who is 29 years old and a graduate of Miami, FL in 2018, currently plays professionally in the NBA. In a recent game, Brown was unable to lead the Denver Nuggets to a victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves. Despite his solid performance of scoring 9 points, grabbing 4 rebounds, and dishing out 2 assists in 23 minutes of play, his team suffered a significant loss, with the final score being 113-96 in favor of the Timberwolves. Brown showcased his skills on the court, contributing to the game with his scoring, rebounding, and playmaking abilities. Throughout the season, Brown has maintained commendable statistics, averaging 7.9 points per game, which ranks him as the third-best in the league, along with 3.8 rebounds, 2.0 assists, and 1.1 steals per game across 86 games played.

   #10. Keith Stone, a 6'9'' forward and 28-year-old Hurricanes alumni from 2020, showcased his talent as a professional player in Romania. In a recent game, he played a crucial role in Sibiu's unexpected triumph over the league-leading Cluj Napoca with a final score of 84-71 in the Romanian Liga Nationala Baschet de Masculin. Stone's performance was outstanding, contributing 17 points, 6 rebounds, and 2 blocks in just 23 minutes of play. Despite his remarkable display on the court against Cluj Napoca, where he scored 17 points and secured 6 rebounds, his team ultimately fell short of victory. Throughout the season, Stone has maintained strong statistics, averaging 12.3 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 1.2 steals per game across 30 matchups. Stone's consistent contributions have solidified his position as a key player for his team, demonstrating his skills as a champion on the court.


Other former University of Miami players, who play in pro basketball:

Tonye Jekiri (7'0''-C-1994, played in 2012-16) plays for Partizan in Serbian KLS
Kenneth Kadji (6'11''-F-1988, played in 2010-10) played for Beirut Club in Lebanese DLBL few monts ago
Kyshawn George (6'7''-SF-2003, played in 2023-24) plays for Washington Wizards in the NBA
Jordan Miller (6'6''-G-2000, played in 2025-25) plays for Los Angeles Clippers in the NBA
Kamari Murphy (6'9''-F-1993, played in 2014-14) played for Zastal BC Zielona Gora in Polish OBL last year
Lynn Kidd (6'10''-C, played in 2024-25) plays for Tofas Bursa in Turkish BSL
Kameron McGusty (6'6''-SG-1997, played in 2018-18) plays for London Lions in British SLB
Dejan Vasiljevic (6'3''-G-1997, played in 2016-20) plays for Adelaide 36ers in Australian NBL
Trey McKinney-Jones (6'6''-G-1990, played in 2008-10) plays for Gunma Crane Thunders in Japanese B1 League
Gary Hamilton (6'10''-C/F-1984, played in 2002-06) plays for Hiroshima Dragonflies in Japanese B1 League
Bensley Joseph (6'2''-G-2002, played in 2021-24) plays for Hyeres-Toulon in French ProB
Dewan Hernandez (6'11''-C/F-1997, played in 2016-18) plays for Busan KCC Egis in South Korean KBL
Chris Lykes (5'7''-PG-1998, played in 2017-21) played for Val-Dieu Spirou Basket Charleroi in Belgian Pro Basketball League last year
Matthew Cleveland (6'7''-G-1998, played in 2023-25) plays for Salt Lake City Stars in the NBA G League
Wooga Poplar (6'5''-G-2003, played in 2021-24) plays for Windy City Bulls in the NBA G League
Brandon Johnson (6'8''-F-2002, played in 2024-25) plays for ZTE KK in Hungarian A Division
Ivan Cruz-Uceda (6'10''-C/F-1991, played in 2019-23) plays for Melilla in Spanish Primera FEB
Deng Gak (6'10''-C-1998, played in 2018-22) plays for RASHI in Georgian Superleague
Rion Brown (6'6''-SF, played in 2010-14) plays for Al Rayyan in Qatari QBL
DeQuan Jones (6'8''-F-1990, played in 2008-12) plays for Qadsia in Kuwaiti D1
Anthony Lawrence II (6'7''-G-1996, played in 2015-19) plays for Cupes in Dominican Rep. Santiago League
Harlond Beverly (6'5''-G-2001, played in 2019-23) plays for Derby Trailblazers in British BCB
Charlie Moore (6'0''-PG-1998, played in 2021-22) plays for Ahly Benghazi in Libyan D1
Rodney Miller Jr. (7'0''-C-1996, played in 2016-22) played for Runnin in the P&G League in Miami last year
Davon Reed (6'6''-G/F-1995, played in 2013-17) plays for Saga Ballooners in Japanese B1 League
Julian Gamble (6'10''-C-1989, played in 2007-07) plays for Raleigh Firebirds in the TBL
Willie Herenton (6'1''-G, played in 2018-21) played for Limitless in the P&G League in Miami last year
Brandon Okpalobi (6'2''-G, played in 2004-05) played for Runnin in the P&G League in Miami last year

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

Shane Larkin (Turkey) (Photo: @AnadoluEfes)

Isaiah Wong (Spain) (Photo: @bczalgiris)

Lonnie Walker IV (Israel) (Photo: @https://www)