POSTED BY: Eurobasket News
EuroBasket Pro Phoenix Weekly Update
Courtesy of Eurobasket LLC
Here is the weekly review of the top performing Phoenix alumni, who are currently playing in pro basketball.
#1. Experienced champion Greg Mays, a 6'8'' forward aged 33, who graduated from Green Bay in 2015 and received the All-Horizon League Second Team award that year, currently plays professionally in Australia. Recently, he led the Forestville Eagles to a decisive 90-77 victory over the fifth-ranked Norwood Flames (3-4) in the Australian NBL One, which is the second division league. This victory took place during Saturday night's game.
Mays was named the MVP of the game after delivering an exceptional performance. He achieved a double-double by scoring 33 points and grabbing 13 rebounds in just 36 minutes of play. This outstanding display of skill helped the Forestville Eagles (6-1) secure the second position in the Central group standings. Notably, this win marked the team's third consecutive victory in a row, showcasing their strong form.
His remarkable performance against the Norwood Flames not only led his team to victory but also earned him the prestigious Triple-Double Badge from eurobasket.com, underscoring his reputation as a champion player. Mays has been having an impressive season individually, boasting high statistics. He maintains an average of 21.3 points per game and 6.7 rebounds per game in the seven games he has played so far this season.
#2. Sandy Cohen III, a 6'6'' guard/forward who graduated from Phoenix in 2019, was instrumental in helping his team reach the CIT Championship Finalist that year. Currently playing professionally in Israel, Cohen III recently led Maccabi Haifa to a crucial victory over the third-ranked I. Nahariya with an impressive performance. In the game, he scored 13 points, grabbed 8 rebounds, dished out 4 assists, and added 3 steals in 31 minutes of play.
Despite Maccabi Haifa being placed 14th in the league with a record of 8-21, Cohen III has been a standout player throughout the season. With solid averages of 13.9 points, 7.1 rebounds, 4.4 assists, and 1.5 steals per game in the 14 games he has played, he has consistently showcased his skills as a champion player.
It is noteworthy that Cohen III holds both American and Israeli citizenship, allowing him to play in Israel as a domestic player. His contributions on the court have been vital in elevating his team's performance and securing important victories, demonstrating his talent and versatility as a player.
#3. PJ Pipes, a 6'2'' guard aged 27, who graduated from Santa Clara in 2022, previously played in Green Bay from 2017 to 2021 before joining a professional team in Turkey. In the recent game, Pipes, despite putting up a commendable performance as the second-best scorer with 13 points in 25 minutes, could not prevent his team, Onvo Buyukcekmece Basketbol, from suffering a heavy 91-72 defeat at the hands of the higher-ranked Bursaspor, who are positioned at #12 in the league.
This loss marked the third consecutive defeat for Onvo Buyukcekmece Basketbol, who are currently struggling with a 4-24 record. With only two games remaining in the Regular Season, every upcoming match is crucial for the team. Pipes, in his debut season with the squad, displayed his skills against Bursaspor by contributing 13 points, 1 rebound, and 1 assist. Despite his consistent performances throughout the season, averaging 13.5 points, 1.7 rebounds, and 2.0 assists per game over 26 appearances, the team has faced challenges in securing victories.
#4. Keifer Sykes, a 6'0'' point guard and 32-year-old Phoenix alumnus from 2015, currently plays professionally in China. Despite his impressive background, including being named the All-Horizon League Player of the Year in 2015, he faced a tough challenge recently. Playing for Guangzhou Loong Lions, with a record of 17-24, Sykes could not lead his team to victory against the formidable Leopards, who hold a strong 30-12 record in the Chinese Basketball Association. In the game, Sykes managed to contribute 7 points in just 10 minutes of play, but his team ultimately fell short, losing 86-99 on the road to the Leopards, who are ranked third in the league.
With only two games remaining in the Regular Season, every match becomes crucial for Guangzhou Loong Lions. This season marks Sykes' first with the team, and he has been striving to make an impact on the court. In a previous game against Shenzhen L, he showcased his skills by scoring 7 points, grabbing 1 rebound, and providing 2 assists. However, despite his individual efforts, the team was unable to secure a victory.
Throughout the season, Sykes has been averaging 3.1 points per game and 1.9 assists per game in the nine games he has played so far. As the season progresses, Sykes will continue to work hard to help his team achieve success and strive to make a difference on the court.
#5. Cody Schwartz, a 6'8'' forward who is 29 years old and graduated from Green Bay in 2020, currently plays professionally in Croatia. In a recent game, Schwartz and his team, Dubrava (15-16), faced off against Dubrovnik (15-16) in the Croatian Favbet Premijer Liga. Despite his efforts, Schwartz could not help Dubrava secure a victory, as they fell short against Dubrovnik, losing 71-76 on the opponent's court. This defeat marked Dubrava's first loss after a streak of three consecutive victories, making each remaining game crucial as the Regular Season nears its end.
During the game, Schwartz's performance was notable, contributing 2 points, 3 rebounds, and 1 assist in 16 minutes of play. However, his individual effort was not enough to push Dubrava to a win, and he expressed disappointment in the outcome. This season, Schwartz has been averaging 6.5 points per game and 2.8 rebounds per game across 31 games, showcasing his consistent contribution to the team despite the challenging loss to Dubrovnik.
#6. Alec Brown, a 33-year-old former Phoenix alumni from 2014, currently playing professionally in Taiwan, showcased his exceptional skills in a recent game for the Taoyuan Pilots. In a thrilling match against the closely-ranked Kings in the Basketball Champions League Asia, Brown was a standout performer. His remarkable performance of 17 points, 9 rebounds, and 3 assists in just 25 minutes played a crucial role in his team's dominant 98-63 victory.
Brown's impressive individual statistics for the season further highlight his prowess on the court. Averaging 18.8 points per game, 8.6 rebounds per game, 3.2 assists per game, and 2.2 blocks per game (leading the league in blocks), Brown has been a key player for the Taoyuan Pilots. His consistent contributions and stellar gameplay have solidified his reputation as a champion player and a force to be reckoned with in the league.
#7. In a thrilling matchup on Saturday night in the Japanese B3 League, Kameron Hankerson, a 27-year-old guard standing at 6'5'' and a Green Bay graduate from 2020, showcased his skills as he led Okayama Try Hoop to a narrow 78-76 victory over the closely-ranked Albirex team.
Hankerson's stellar performance earned him the title of MVP of the game, scoring an impressive 17 points and making 3 key assists in just 24 minutes of play. His standout contribution was pivotal in securing the 2-point win for his team, ultimately leading them to be crowned as the champion of the game.
Notably, in a previous game against Niigata A, Hankerson displayed his talent once again by scoring an outstanding 17 points, in addition to contributing 3 rebounds and 3 assists. His consistent and impactful performances throughout the season have been reflected in his solid statistics, averaging 12.9 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 3.2 assists per game across 51 games this year. Hankerson's impressive displays on the court have undoubtedly solidified his reputation as a standout player in the league.
Other former University of Wisconsin - Green Bay players, who play in pro basketball:
Kerem Kanter (6'10''-F/C-1995, played in 2014-17) plays for Seoul Samsung Thunders in South Korean KBL
Alfonzo McKinnie (6'8''-F-1992, played in 2012-12) plays for Al Ahli in Saudi Arabian SBL
Khalil Small (6'3''-G-1995, played in 2014-18) played for Avanti in Luxembourg Nationale 2 few monts ago
Muodubem Muoneke (6'5''-G, played in 2024-25) played for Real Betis 2 in Spanish 1Div last year
Notice: The list above includes only some of alumni playing currently in pro basketball. Check complete list of University of Wisconsin - Green Bay basketball alumni.
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| | Greg Mays (Australia) (Photo: @forestville)
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| | Sandy Cohen III (Israel) (Photo: @MaccabiHaif)
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| | PJ Pipes (Turkey) (Photo: @legiakosz)
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