POSTED BY: Eurobasket News
EuroBasket Pro Lobos Weekly Update
Courtesy of Eurobasket LLC
Here is the weekly review of the top performing Lobos alumni, who are currently playing in pro basketball.
#1. Experienced champion Alex Kirk, a 6'11'' center aged 34, who graduated from New Mexico in 2014 and played a pivotal role in their MWC Tournament win that year, is currently showcasing his skills as a professional player in Japan. In a recent game, he played a crucial part in the Ryukyu Golden Kings Okinawa's triumph over the league leaders, the Tochigi Brex, with a resounding 92-70 victory in the Japanese B1 League on Sunday night.
During the game, Kirk displayed his prowess by achieving a double-double, scoring 19 points and collecting 14 rebounds in just 25 minutes of play. This standout performance occurred in a highly anticipated matchup between two of the top three teams in the West group, with the Ryukyu Golden Kings Okinawa holding the third position with a record of 42-18.
With only two games remaining in the Regular Season, each upcoming match is of utmost importance for the teams. Kirk's remarkable display against the Tochigi Brex, where he not only scored 19 points and grabbed 14 rebounds but also contributed 2 assists, was instrumental in securing victory for his team. His exceptional performance garnered him the Triple-Double Badge from eurobasket.com, further cementing his reputation as a champion player.
Throughout the season, Kirk has maintained solid statistics, averaging 10.8 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 1.5 assists per game. It is also noteworthy that he holds both American and Japanese citizenship, allowing him to play in Japan as a domestic player, showcasing his versatility and adaptability on the court.
#2. Jemarl Baker Jr., a 6'5'' guard and 27-year-old Lobos alumni from the class of 2024, made a significant impact in the German BARMER 2. Basketball Bundesliga ProA league. Despite being only in his second season as a professional basketball player, Baker Jr. showcased his talent by leading Eisbaeren Bremerhaven to a crucial victory over the 13th-ranked Tigers with a score of 85-72. In this game, Baker Jr. was instrumental in his team's success, earning the title of MVP by scoring an impressive 20 points in just 15 minutes of play.
Currently, Eisbaeren Bremerhaven holds the fourth position in the league with a record of 23-11. As the regular season is drawing to a close, every game becomes crucial for the team's playoff aspirations. Baker Jr. continued to demonstrate his prowess on the court in a recent game against Tuebingen, contributing 20 points, 1 rebound, and 1 assist to secure another vital victory for his team.
Throughout the season, Baker Jr. has maintained solid statistics, averaging 13.9 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 2.3 assists per game. His consistent performance and leadership qualities have been vital in guiding his team to success, highlighting his abilities as a champion player.
#3. Tony Snell, a 6'6'' guard who graduated from New Mexico in 2013 and earned the All-MWC All-Tournament MVP award that year, currently plays professionally in France. Recently, he competed for Boulazac Basket Dordogne in a match against Cholet Basket, where despite his commendable efforts, his team fell short. Snell showcased his skills by contributing 7 points, 6 rebounds, and 2 assists in the game that ended with a 77-68 victory for Cholet Basket. This defeat marked Boulazac Basket Dordogne's third consecutive loss, emphasizing the importance of their upcoming final game of the Regular Season. Despite the loss, Snell's performance was notable, highlighting his season averages of 8.2 points per game and 2.7 rebounds per game.
#4. Swedish Sebastian Forsling, a 23-year-old 7'0'' center and Lobos alumni from 2024, was a key player in helping his team clinch the MWC Tournament championship that year. Currently playing professionally in Sweden, Forsling recently faced a tough matchup where his team, Norrkoping with a record of 22-8, fell short against Boras, who had a 21-9 record in the Swedish Basketligan.
Despite his efforts, Forsling's performance in the game against Boras could not be considered one of his best. He managed to score just 2 points and provide 1 assist in the limited 6 minutes he spent on the court. Unfortunately, Norrkoping ended up losing to the lower-ranked Boras (#4) with a final score of 87-78.
Throughout the season, Forsling has been averaging 3.8 points per game and 3.8 rebounds per game. Despite the setback in the recent game, Forsling remains a talented player with the potential to make significant contributions to his team's success in future matchups.
Other former University of New Mexico players, who play in pro basketball:
Nelly Joseph (6'10''-C-2001, played in 2023-25) plays for SIG Strasbourg in French Betclic ELITE ProA
Makuach Maluach (6'7''-F/G-1998, played in 2017-21) plays for Sydney Kings in Australian NBL
Morris Udeze (6'9''-F/C-1999, played in 2022-23) plays for MoraBanc Andorra in Spanish Liga Endesa
Jamal Mashburn Jr. (6'2''-G-2001, played in 2021-24) plays for Long Island Nets in the NBA G League
Jaelen House (6'0''-PG-2001, played in 2021-24) plays for Beijing Royal Fighters in Chinese CBA
Mustapha Amzil (6'9''-F-2001, played in 2023-25) plays for Trepca in Kosovan Superliga
Emmanuel Kuac (6'7''-G/F, played in 2019-23) plays for Nassjo in Swedish Basketligan
Karim Ezzeddine (6'9''-F/C-1997, played in 2018-19) plays for Yokohama Excellence in Japanese B2 League
Carlton Bragg Jr. (6'10''-PF-1995, played in 2017-17) plays for Bora in Kosovan Superliga
Anthony Danridge (6'5''-PF-1986, played in 2004-09) played for Sportiva Italiana in Chilean LNB2 few monts ago
Isaac Mushila (6'5''-F-1999, played in 2023-24) played for Cordoba CB in Spanish Segunda FEB last year
Corey Manigault (6'9''-F/C-1998, played in 2018-20) plays for Guizhou in Chinese NBL
Keith McGee (6'3''-PG, played in 2018-21) played for KSA in Cameroonian D2 last year
Ally Atiki (6'10''-F-2001, played in 2024-25) plays for Dar City in Tanzanian NBL
Antino Jackson (6'0''-PG-1996, played in 2017-18) plays for Tigers in Rwandan RBL
Jachai Simmons (6'7''-SF-1996, played in 2017-18) played for Fire Family in the The Basketball Tournament last year
Jamaal Smith (6'1''-PG-1985, played in 2006-08) played for Caribbean Storm Islands in Colombian LBP last year
Notice: The list above includes only some of alumni playing currently in pro basketball. Check complete list of University of New Mexico basketball alumni.
Alex Kirk is last week best Lobos alumni, who plays professional basketball (Photo: @ryukyugoldenkingsofficial)
