EuroBasket Pro Lions Weekly Update

- May 10, 2026

POSTED BY: Eurobasket News

EuroBasket Pro Lions Weekly Update

LMU logo Courtesy of Eurobasket LLC

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

   #1. Cameron Shelton, a 6'2'' guard, is a 26-year-old professional basketball player who graduated from LMU in 2023. In that same year, he was recognized as a finalist for the Lou Henson National Player of the Year Award. Currently playing in Latvia, Shelton recently led his team, Ventspils, to a thrilling 115-112 victory over Valmiera Glass in the Latvian PafBet Latvijas Basketbola Liga. Displaying his skills on the court, he was named the MVP of the game after recording 21 points, 4 rebounds, and 4 assists in 35 minutes of play. Despite being only in his third season of professional basketball, Shelton's performance was exceptional and instrumental in securing the championship for his team in the match. He has been a standout player this season, averaging 14.1 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 5.2 assists per game, the second-best assist average in the league. Despite playing for BK Ventspils, a team currently positioned at the bottom of the league, Shelton's talent and contributions have been crucial in their victories, making him a key player and a force to be reckoned with on the court.

   #2. Georgian player Aleksandre Merkviladze, standing at 6'8'' and aged 24, is a Lions alumnus from 2025 who received the WCC All-Academic Team award that year. Currently playing professionally in Belgium, he recently showcased his talent by leading his Belgian team, Oostende, to a resounding victory over the ninth-ranked Circus Brussels with a convincing score of 84-53 in the BNXT League. In this game, Merkviladze contributed significantly with 11 points, 6 rebounds, and 1 assist in just 23 minutes of play. Filou Oostende, with a record of 25-9, holds the second position in the league standings, as the Regular Season has already concluded in the BNXT League. This marks Merkviladze's debut season with the team, where his impact has been notable. His strong performance against Brussels not only helped secure the victory but also propelled Oostende to emerge as the champion of the game. Throughout this season, Merkviladze has maintained an average of 7.6 points and 4.1 rebounds per game in the 23 games he has participated in so far. It is worth highlighting that Merkviladze previously showcased his skills at the Eurobasket Summer League, an experience that played a pivotal role in securing his position in professional basketball.

   #3. Buay Tuach, a 6'6'' guard/forward who graduated from LMU in 2017 and received an All-WCC Honorable Mention award that year, is currently playing professionally in New Zealand. In a recent game, he couldn't lead his team, the Otago Nuggets, to victory against the Hawks, one of the league's weaker teams. Despite his standout performance where he scored 19 points and grabbed 6 rebounds in 34 minutes, the Nuggets suffered a defeat with a final score of 82-91. Even though the Nuggets faced a setback in this game, it is still early in the season, leaving room for improvement and potential turnarounds. Tuach showcased his skills by putting up an impressive performance against the Hawks, demonstrating his scoring ability, rebounding prowess, and playmaking skills with 2 assists. Tuach has been having a strong individual season, maintaining high averages of 20.5 points, 5.8 rebounds, 2.0 assists, and 2.2 steals per game in the six games he has played so far. His consistent performance highlights his impact on the court as a key player for the Otago Nuggets.

   #4. German champion Lars Thiemann, a 7'1'' center, is a 25-year-old Lions alumnus from 2024 who currently plays professionally in Germany. Despite his best efforts, Thiemann could not help Rasta Vechta (15-17) secure a victory against the Seawolves (16-17) in the German easyCredit BBL. In the game, Thiemann contributed 8 points and 3 blocked shots in just 15 minutes of play. Unfortunately, Rasta Vechta fell short, losing 78-90 on the road to the higher-ranked (#10) Seawolves. With only one more game left in the Regular Season, Thiemann's team faces a critical match ahead. This season marks Thiemann's first with the team, and he has shown promise with notable performances such as scoring 8 points and grabbing 2 rebounds against Rostock. Despite his individual achievements, the team was unable to secure a win in that game. Throughout the season, Thiemann has maintained an average of 4.4 points and 2.5 rebounds per game across 28 games. As a German finalist, Thiemann continues to showcase his skills and contribute to his team's efforts on the court.

   #5. Slovakian point guard Simon Krajcovic, standing at 6'2'' and 32 years old, a graduate of LMU in 2015, and currently playing professionally in Germany, displayed exceptional leadership by guiding Giessen 46ers to a remarkable 89-77 victory over the second-ranked Hakro Merlins (28-6) in the German BARMER 2. Basketball Bundesliga ProA. In a recent game, he showcased his skills by scoring 11 points and providing 5 assists in just 21 minutes of play. With Giessen 46ers positioned seventh in the league, Krajcovic continues to make significant contributions on the court. In a standout performance against Crailsheim, he not only scored 11 points but also secured 1 rebound and delivered 5 assists, ultimately leading his team to triumph. His remarkable display of talent and determination underscored his prowess as a finalist. Throughout the season, Krajcovic has maintained an average of 7.5 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 4.4 assists per game across 35 appearances. His consistent performance and impactful contributions highlight his value to the team, showcasing his capabilities as a skilled and dedicated champion.

   #6. Swedish Mattias Markusson, a towering 7'2'' center and 30-year-old Lions alumnus from 2021, currently playing professionally in France, played a significant role in Chorale Roanne Basket's recent triumph over the 16th-ranked Saint Chamond with a score of 93-79 in the French ELITE 2 league, which is the second division. In the Friday night game, Markusson made an impact by contributing 7 points in just 11 minutes of gameplay. During the match against Saint-Chamond, Markusson not only scored 7 points but also secured 3 rebounds, proving to be a valuable asset to his team. His performance was instrumental in helping Chorale Roanne Basket emerge as the champion of the game, showcasing his skills and contributing to the team's victory. Throughout this year, Markusson has maintained an average of 6.2 points per game and 5.2 rebounds per game across 32 games, demonstrating his consistency and value as a key player for his team.

   #7. Bulgarian Ivan Alipiev, a 26-year-old forward standing at 6'8'' and a graduate of LMU in 2022, currently playing professionally in Italy, displayed his prowess as a champion in the recent Italian Serie A2 game. Leading Rimini to a hard-fought 95-90 victory over the closely-ranked Livorno Libertas, Alipiev's impact was undeniable. With a solid performance of 14 points, along with 1 rebound and 1 assist in just 27 minutes of play, he proved his worth as a finalist on the court that night. Alipiev's consistent contributions throughout the season are evident in his impressive stats, averaging 10.2 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 1.3 assists per game across 20 games. His dedication and skills as a champion player shine through in his performance, demonstrating his value to the team and showcasing his determination to succeed at the highest level of competition.

Other former Loyola Marymount University players, who play in pro basketball:

Keli Leaupepe (6'6''-F-2000, played in 2019-24) plays for Sydney Kings in Australian NBL
James Batemon (6'1''-G-1997, played in 2017-19) plays for Hiopos Forca Lleida in Spanish Liga Endesa
Caleb Stone-Carrawell (6'7''-F-2000, played in 2024-25) plays for Raptors 905 Mississauga in the NBA G League
Marin Mornar (6'9''-PF-1993, played in 2012-16) plays for Kongsberg in Norwegian BLNO
Lazar Nekic (7'0''-C-1999, played in 2019-21) plays for Al Fateh in Saudi Arabian SBL
Kelvin Amayo (6'4''-G-1992, played in 2016-17) played for JHX Hoops - Kansas Alumni in the The Basketball Tournament few monts ago

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