EuroBasket Pro Red Storm Weekly Update
Courtesy of Eurobasket LLC
Every week we bring you a list of the top former Red Storm players who continue their career in pro basketball.
#1. Experienced champion Justin Brownlee, a 6'6'' forward who is 38 years old and graduated from St. John's in 2011, showcased his skills as he led the Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Kings to a victory over the league finalist Risers, who currently hold a 2-8 record, with a score of 119-107 in the Filipino Philippine Basketball Association on Sunday night's game. Brownlee was named the MVP of the game after an impressive performance where he scored an astonishing 35 points, secured 9 rebounds, provided 4 assists, and blocked 2 shots during his 39 minutes on the court.
The Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Kings, with a 7-2 record, currently hold the third position in the league standings. This win marked their fifth consecutive victory, showcasing their strong form in the competition. With only three games remaining in the Regular Season, each game becomes crucial for the teams in the league.
In a recent game against the Titan UGR, Brownlee delivered an exceptional performance, scoring 35 points, grabbing 9 rebounds, and dishing out 4 assists, ultimately leading his team to success. His remarkable display on the court truly exemplified his championship mentality and played a pivotal role in securing the win for his team.
Individually, Brownlee has been having an outstanding year with impressive statistics, averaging 31.6 points per game (ranking him as the third-best scorer in the league), along with 8.2 rebounds, 4.6 assists, and 1.1 steals in the nine games he has played so far. It is noteworthy that Brownlee holds both American and Filipino citizenship, allowing him to play in the Philippines as a domestic player. Additionally, his participation in the Eurobasket Summer League has significantly contributed to his professional basketball career and helped him secure a position in the pro league.
#2. Julian Champagnie, a 24-year-old forward standing at 6'7'' and an alumni of the Red Storm from 2022, recently received the USBWA All-District II Team award. Currently playing professionally in the NBA, Champagnie showcased his skills as a major contributor in a recent game where the San Antonio Spurs defeated the Portland Trail Blazers with a score of 114-95 on a Tuesday night.
In this game, Champagnie demonstrated his prowess on the court by scoring 19 points, securing 7 rebounds, and providing 3 assists during his 30 minutes of playtime. This exceptional performance played a crucial role in leading his team to victory, marking the San Antonio Spurs' third consecutive win.
Despite the San Antonio Spurs holding a somewhat unimpressive 62-21 record this season, Champagnie's consistent contributions have not gone unnoticed. With an average of 11.0 points per game, 5.7 rebounds per game, and 1.5 assists per game in 88 appearances this year, Champagnie has been a valuable asset to his team throughout the season.
His standout performance against the Portland Trail Blazers truly exemplified his skills and determination, ultimately helping his team emerge as the champions of the game.
#3. In a recent game in the German easyCredit BBL, Dominican Rep. Joel Soriano, a 26-year-old center standing at 6'11'' who graduated from St. John's in 2024 and currently plays professionally in Germany, played a pivotal role in Ratiopharm Ulm's triumph over the 14th-ranked Hamburg Towers. The game ended with a score of 81-74 in favor of Ratiopharm Ulm, with Soriano being recognized as the MVP due to his standout performance. He contributed significantly with 13 points and 8 rebounds in just 21 minutes on the court.
Ratiopharm Ulm, currently positioned fifth in the league with a record of 18-14, is gearing up for the final stretch of the Regular Season with only three games remaining. Each upcoming game holds immense importance as the team vies for a strong finish.
Soriano's impactful performance against Hamburg, where he scored 13 points and secured 8 rebounds, was instrumental in leading his team to victory and ultimately clinching the champion title. Throughout this season, Soriano has maintained an average of 9.1 points per game and 5.5 rebounds per game across 14 games, showcasing his consistent contribution to Ratiopharm Ulm's success.
#4. Ghanian Christopher Ledlum, a 6'6'' small forward who is 25 years old and an alum of Red Storm from 2024, currently plays professionally in Germany. In a recent game, he was a teammate of the finalist Joel Soriano and together they competed in the German easyCredit BBL league. Ledlum made a significant impact in Ratiopharm Ulm's victory over the 14th-ranked Hamburg Towers with a final score of 81-74. During the game, he showcased his skills as a champion by scoring 10 points, grabbing 7 rebounds, dishing out 4 assists, and blocking 2 shots in just 17 minutes on the court. This victory marked Ledlum's first season with the team, and he has been having an outstanding year individually with impressive averages of 16.2 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 2.3 assists per game over 29 appearances. It's worth noting that Ledlum is a naturalized American, adding to his diverse background and skill set as a basketball player.
#5. JaKarr Sampson, a 6'9'' forward who graduated from St. John's in 2014 and currently plays professionally in China, played a pivotal role in the Zhejiang Guangsha Lions' recent triumph over the 18th-ranked Pioneers, with a final score of 103-93 in a Chinese Basketball Association game. In just 17 minutes of play, Sampson showcased his skills by scoring 15 points and collecting 5 rebounds, contributing significantly to his team's victory. The Zhejiang Guangsha Lions, holding a strong second place in the league with a record of 32-9, secured their third consecutive win that evening. This successful game marked the end of the Regular Season, with Sampson completing his first season with the team on a high note. With impressive season averages of 10.8 points, 7.3 rebounds, 1.1 assists, and 1.1 steals per game across 36 games, Sampson's exceptional performance on the court solidified his status as a champion in the match against Tianjin P, aiding his team in clinching the victory.
#6. Jamaican basketball player Stefan Smith, standing at 6'2'' and 26 years old, and an alumnus of Red Storm from 2022, currently plays professionally in Germany. In a recent game, he played a crucial role in MHP Riesen Ludwigsburg's victory over the closely-ranked Seawolves with a score of 75-61 in the German easyCredit BBL. Smith showcased his skills as a champion by scoring 14 points, making 4 assists, and playing for 31 minutes on the court.
In another impressive performance against Rostock, Smith contributed significantly by scoring 14 points, securing 3 rebounds, and providing 4 assists, ultimately helping his team emerge victorious. His skills as a finalist player were evident in his pivotal role in leading his team to success.
Throughout the season, Smith has maintained high statistics, averaging 16.2 points per game, along with 4.0 rebounds and 4.3 assists in 28 games. Additionally, it is noteworthy that Smith holds a Canadian passport, adding to his diverse background and experience in the world of basketball.
#7. Sir'Dominic Pointer, a 6'6'' guard/forward who is 33 years old and graduated from St. John's in 2015, currently plays professional basketball in Cyprus. His most notable achievement during his college years was winning the All-Big East Most Improved Player of the Year award in 2015. In a recent game, Pointer played a crucial role in APOEL's victory over league leader AEK Larnaca with a score of 95-87 in the Cypriot ECOMMBX Basket League. He delivered an impressive performance by scoring 21 points, grabbing 5 rebounds, dishing out 8 assists, and making 4 steals in 39 minutes of play.
Pointer's stellar performance against AEK Larnaca showcased his skills and leadership on the court, ultimately leading his team to success. His consistent performance throughout the season is evident in his impressive statistics, averaging 13.8 points, 6.2 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 1.5 blocks per game (leading the league), and 2.1 steals per game (also leading the league) in 13 games. His exceptional contributions make him a true champion in the basketball world.
#8. Marvin Clark, a 6'7'' small forward who is 31 years old and an alumnus of Red Storm from 2019, played a pivotal role in helping them reach the final of the WAC Tournament that year. Currently playing professionally in France, he is a key player for Elan Bearnais Pau-Lacq-Orthez. In a recent game against the 14th-ranked Olympique Antibes in the French ELITE 2 league, Clark was instrumental in his team's impressive 92-71 victory. He showcased his skills by scoring 13 points, pulling down 8 rebounds, and providing 2 assists in just 21 minutes on the court.
Clark's exceptional performance against Antibes not only helped secure the win but also highlighted his talent and contribution to the team. With an average of 9.1 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 1.5 assists per game in 32 appearances this season, he continues to be a valuable asset for his team. His consistent and impactful play solidifies his reputation as a champion on the court.
#9. In a thrilling match on Wednesday night, Montez Mathis, a 6'4'' guard playing professionally in Georgia, stood out as the key player in Rustavi's unexpected triumph over league leader Griffin with a final score of 89-77 in the Georgian Superleague. Mathis, a 27-year-old who graduated from St. John's in 2023, delivered a standout performance and was rightfully awarded the MVP title of the game. He showcased his exceptional skills by recording 22 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists, and an impressive 7 steals in 33 minutes of play.
Mathis's remarkable display included scoring 22 points, securing 8 rebounds, and providing 4 assists, all of which contributed significantly to his team's success against Griffin. His outstanding performance exemplified his talent and determination as a champion on the court. Throughout the season, Mathis has maintained high statistics, averaging 18.0 points per game, 6.5 rebounds per game, 4.3 assists per game, and 2.3 steals per game (ranking as the third best in the league) across 15 games. His consistent excellence and all-around contributions have established him as a formidable finalist in the league.
#10. Puerto Rican Arnaldo Barea, a 6'8'' center and 28-year-old Red Storm alumni from the class of 2021, showcased his prowess on the basketball court while playing professionally in Hungary. In a recent match, Barea played a crucial role in leading Falco-Vulcano Energia KC Szombathely to a resounding 90-76 victory over the fourth-ranked Honved in the Hungarian Nemzeti Bajnoksag I/A league. During the game, Barea contributed significantly with 5 points, 9 rebounds, and 4 assists in just 27 minutes of play.
His standout performance against Honved not only helped secure the win for his team but also highlighted his skills as a true champion. Barea's impressive season statistics further underscore his impact on the court, averaging 10.6 points, 9.9 rebounds (ranking third best in the league), and 1.7 assists per game across 15 appearances. His consistent contributions and strong presence make him a standout finalist in the league.
Other former St. John's University players, who play in pro basketball:
Justin Simon (6'5''-SG-1996, played in 2016-16) plays for Ratiopharm Ulm in German BBL
Aaron Wheeler (6'9''-F-1998, played in 2021-22) plays for H.Gilboa Galil in Israeli Winner League
Kadary Richmond (6'6''-G-2001, played in 2024-25) plays for Washington Wizards in the NBA
Daniss Jenkins (6'4''-G-2001, played in 2023-24) plays for Detroit Pistons in the NBA
DJ Kennedy (6'6''-F-1989, played in 2007-11) plays for Trotamundos in Venezuelan SPB
Christopher Obekpa (6'9''-PF-1993, played in 2012-15) played for Fujian Sturgeons in Chinese CBA few monts ago
Phil Greene IV (6'2''-G-1992, played in 2011-15) plays for Rostock Seawolves in German BBL
Amar Alibegovic (6'9''-PF-1995, played in 2014-18) plays for Coviran Granada in Spanish Liga Endesa
Mustapha Heron (6'5''-G-1997, played in 2018-20) plays for Zunder Palencia in Spanish Primera FEB
Nahiem Alleyne (6'4''-G-2001, played in 2023-24) plays for Fraport Skyliners Frankfurt in German BBL
Federico Mussini (6'2''-G-1996, played in 2013-17) plays for Avellino in Italian Serie A2
Deivon Smith (6'0''-PG-2002, played in 2024-25) plays for Santa Cruz Warriors in the NBA G League
Aaron Scott (6'7''-F-2003, played in 2024-25) plays for Maine Celtics in the NBA G League
Justin Burrell (6'9''-F-1988, played in 2007-11) plays for Fukuoka Rizing in Japanese B2 League
Sean Conway (6'5''-G-2000, played in 2023-24) plays for Perth Redbacks in Australian NBL One
D'Angelo Harrison (6'4''-G-1993, played in 2011-15) plays for Roseto in Italian Serie A2
Bashir Ahmed (6'7''-F/G-1993, played in 2016-18) plays for Al Fidaa in Syrian SBL
Jordan Dingle (6'3''-G-2000, played in 2023-24) plays for Bora in Kosovan Superliga
Marc-Antoine Bourgault (6'5''-SG-1990, played in 2012-14) played for Vanves in French NM2 last year
Maurice Harkless (6'7''-F-1993, played in 2011-12) played for Criollos de Caguas in Puerto Rican BSN last year
Marcus LoVett Jr. (6'0''-G-1996, played in 2015-15) plays for Shanghai in Chinese NBL
Anteh Aryee (6'2''-G/F, played in 2011-12) played for Cando in the P&G League in Miami last year
Shamorie Ponds (6'1''-G-1998, played in 2016-19) plays for HK JinNiu in Chinese NBL
RJ Luis (6'7''-G/F, played in 2023-25) played for Utah Jazz in the NBA Summer League last year
Notice: The list above includes only some of alumni playing currently in pro basketball. Check complete list of St. John's University basketball alumni.
|
| | Justin Brownlee (Philippines) (Photo: @john.alfons)
|
| |
| | Julian Champagnie (NBA) (Photo: @Spurs)
|
| |
| | Joel Soriano (Germany) (Photo: @https://de-)
|
|