EuroBasket Pro Razorbacks Weekly Update
Courtesy of Eurobasket LLC
Every week we bring you a list of the top former Razorbacks players who continue their career in pro basketball.
#1. Experienced point guard Patrick Beverley, standing at 6'1'' and 37 years old, graduated from Arkansas in 2008 where he helped his team reach the final of the SEC Tournament that year. Currently playing professionally in Greece, Beverley recently led PAOK to a hard-fought 77-72 victory over the closely-ranked Peristeri team in the Greek Stoiximan Basketball League. In this impressive performance, he was named the MVP of the game after scoring 19 points, securing 9 rebounds, providing 9 assists, and making 3 steals in just 32 minutes of play. Notably, Beverley showcased his accuracy by going a perfect 10-for-10 from the free-throw line.
Playing for PAOK Mateco Thessaloniki, currently ranked third in the league with a record of 17-7, Beverley has been instrumental in his team's success. Their recent win marked their sixth consecutive victory, with Beverley's outstanding contributions playing a vital role in each triumph. His consistent performance and leadership on the court demonstrate why he is recognized as a true champion.
Throughout the season, Beverley has maintained solid averages of 9.0 points, 5.4 rebounds, 3.9 assists, and 1.4 steals per game, further solidifying his impact as a key player for PAOK. His all-around skills and competitive spirit make him a valuable asset and a formidable opponent for any team, reinforcing his reputation as a respected champion in the world of basketball.
#2. Justin Smith, a 6'7'' forward and 27-year-old Razorbacks alumni from 2021, showcased his skills as he helped lead Hapoel Bank Yahav Jerusalem to a decisive 97-81 victory over E.Netanya, one of the weakest teams in the Israeli Winner League. Smith, who played a key role in the Razorbacks' triumph at the California Classic NBA Summer League in Sacramento as a champion that year, continues to impress as a finalist in the Israeli league.
In this recent game, Smith's stellar performance earned him the title of MVP, as he contributed 22 points and 5 rebounds in just 20 minutes of play. His remarkable display on the court was instrumental in securing the win for Hapoel Bank Yahav Jerusalem, who currently holds the third position in the league with a record of 16-7.
With only three games remaining in the Regular Season, each upcoming match becomes increasingly crucial for the team. Smith's consistent contributions throughout the season, averaging 14.2 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 1.1 steals per game, have been instrumental in his team's success. His impressive performance against E. Netanya further solidifies his position as a standout player and key asset for Hapoel Bank Yahav Jerusalem in their quest for the league championship.
#3. Jaylen Barford, a 6'3'' shooting guard who graduated from Arkansas in 2018 and received the USBWA All-District VII Team award that same year, currently plays professionally in Italy. In a recent game, despite his outstanding performance, Barford was unable to lead Reggio Emilia (15-14) to victory as they were narrowly defeated 78-77 by the lower-ranked Treviso (#12) on the road last Sunday. Barford showcased his skills by being the top scorer of the game with 20 points, while also contributing 4 rebounds and 4 assists in 33 minutes of play.
As the Regular Season nears its end with only three games remaining, each match becomes increasingly crucial for the teams. Barford's strong individual season is evident as he maintains impressive statistics, averaging 15.1 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 1.9 assists per game. Despite his consistent performance, Barford will continue to strive for success both individually and as a key player for Reggio Emilia as they aim to secure victories in the remaining games.
#4. Adrio Bailey, a 6'6'' forward/guard and Razorbacks alumni from 2020, currently playing professionally in Israel, played a pivotal role in Maccabi Kiryat Gat's recent triumph over the seventh-ranked H. Safed Galil with a score of 98-90 in the Israeli National League, which is the second division of basketball in Israel. In this match, Bailey showcased his skills by achieving a double-double with 25 points and 10 rebounds in just 30 minutes of play.
Maccabi Kiryat Gat, with a current record of 10-20, holds the third position in the Play-Out group standings. With only four games remaining in the Play-Out Round, each upcoming game becomes increasingly crucial for the team.
Bailey's exceptional performance against H. Safed Galil, where he scored 25 points, secured 10 rebounds, and provided 1 assist, was instrumental in leading his team to victory. His remarkable display on the court further solidified his reputation as a champion.
Throughout the season, Bailey has maintained impressive individual statistics, averaging 22.7 points per game, 8.0 rebounds per game, 1.4 assists per game, and 1.6 steals per game. His consistent contributions have been crucial to his team's success, positioning him as a standout finalist in the league.
#5. Isaiah Joe, a 6'5'' shooting guard who graduated from Arkansas in 2020 and received the USBWA All-District VII Team award that year, is currently playing professionally in the NBA. In a recent game, he led the Oklahoma City Thunder to a dominant victory over the Los Angeles Lakers with a score of 131-108. Despite playing only 18 minutes, Joe managed to contribute significantly to the win by scoring 12 points and grabbing 5 rebounds. This season, the Oklahoma City Thunder has a somewhat lackluster record of 64-18, with Joe being in his first year with the team.
In the game against the Lakers, Joe displayed an outstanding performance by scoring 12 points, collecting 5 rebounds, and dishing out 2 assists. His remarkable contributions played a crucial role in securing the victory for his team, ultimately leading them to be the champion in that match. Throughout the season, Joe has maintained solid statistics, averaging 10.8 points, 2.5 rebounds, and 1.3 assists per game.
#6. In the recent game against Monbus Obradoiro, Jalen Tate, a 6'6'' guard and former Razorbacks alumnus, showcased his skills for Gipuzkoa. Despite his notable performance, where he emerged as the top scorer with 15 points and contributed 5 assists in 30 minutes of play, Gipuzkoa suffered a significant 85-68 defeat in Santiago de Compostela. Tate's efforts on the court were commendable, even though his team fell short against the leading Monbus Obradoiro. Throughout the season, Tate has maintained solid stats, averaging 12.2 points, 2.1 rebounds, and 4.0 assists per game, showcasing his value as a key player for his team.
#7. Adou Thiero, a 6'8'' forward who graduated from Arkansas in 2025 and received the NABC Division I All-Southeast District First Team award, currently plays professionally in the NBA. In a recent game, he faced off against the aforementioned Isaiah Joe. Thiero, representing the Los Angeles Lakers, competed against the Oklahoma City Thunder but unfortunately could not lead his team to victory.
During the match, Thiero displayed his skills by contributing 4 points, 8 rebounds, and 1 assist in just 13 minutes of play. Despite his commendable performance, the Lakers were defeated by a significant margin of 23 points, with the final score being 131-108 in favor of the OKC Thunder.
Throughout the current season, Thiero has been maintaining an average of 1.9 points per game and 1.3 rebounds per game. Despite the challenging game against the Thunder, Thiero remains a determined champion, striving to improve and contribute to his team's success in future matches.
#8. Jaylin Williams, a 6'10'' forward and 23-year-old Razorbacks alumnus from the class of 2022, who received the NABC Division I All-District 20 Second Team award that year, currently showcases his talent in the NBA. He shares the court with his teammate, the aforementioned Isaiah Joe. In a recent game, Williams played a key role in his team's dominant 125-107 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers. Despite only playing for 14 minutes, he managed to contribute 7 points to the scoreboard.
During the game against the LA Lakers, Jaylin Williams displayed an outstanding performance by not only scoring 7 points but also grabbing 2 rebounds and providing 1 assist. His remarkable efforts were crucial in leading his team to triumph and highlighted his prowess on the basketball court. Throughout this season, Williams has been averaging 6.9 points per game, 5.3 rebounds per game, and 2.3 assists per game, showcasing his versatility and value to his team.
#9. Jimmy Whitt, a 6'3'' guard who graduated from Arkansas in 2020, showcased his talent in Australia by leading the Gold Coast Rollers to a resounding 113-93 victory over the seventh-ranked Phoenix in the Australian NBL One, the second division of the league, on Saturday night. In a standout performance, Whitt was named the MVP of the game after scoring an impressive 28 points, grabbing 9 rebounds, and dishing out 7 assists in 40 minutes of play. His stellar performance against the SC Phoenix was instrumental in securing the win for his team, highlighting his crucial role as a key player for the Rollers. Throughout the season, Whitt has maintained impressive statistics, averaging 25.8 points per game, 8.8 rebounds, 7.5 assists, and 2.0 steals, solidifying his status as a standout player in the league.
#10. Nick Smith Jr., a 6'3'' guard who is a 22-year-old Razorbacks alum from the class of 2023, currently plays professionally in the NBA. In a recent game, Smith Jr. shared the court with his teammate, the previously mentioned Adou Thiero, and both showcased their skills in the final NBA match of the season. Despite Smith Jr.'s contribution of 6 points in just 4 minutes of play, he was unable to lead the Los Angeles Lakers to victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder. The Lakers ultimately suffered a crushing defeat, with a final score of 131-108 in favor of the Thunder. Throughout the season, Smith Jr. has maintained an average of 5.6 points per game, demonstrating his consistent performance on the court.
Other former The University of Arkansas players, who play in pro basketball:
Charles Thomas (6'8''-F/C-1986, played in 2004-08) played for Regatas in Argentinian La Liga few monts ago
Jordan Walsh (6'7''-G/F-2004) plays for Boston Celtics in the NBA
Stanley Umude (6'6''-G-1999, played in 2021-22) plays for San Antonio Spurs in the NBA
Jonas Aidoo (6'11''-F-2002, played in 2024-25) plays for Charlotte Hornets in the NBA
Moses Moody (6'5''-G-2002, played in 2020-21) plays for Golden State Warriors in the NBA
Anthony Black (6'7''-G-2004) plays for Orlando Magic in the NBA
Bobby Portis (6'10''-PF-1995, played in 2013-15) plays for Milwaukee Bucks in the NBA
Daniel Gafford (6'10''-F/C-1998, played in 2017-19) plays for Dallas Mavericks in the NBA
Davonte Davis (6'3''-G-2001, played in 2020-24) plays for Panteras in Venezuelan SPB
El Ellis (6'3''-G-1999, played in 2023-24) plays for Karditsas in Greek GBL
Daryl Macon (6'3''-G-1995, played in 2016-18) plays for Sassari in Italian Serie A
JD Notae (6'2''-G-1998, played in 2019-19) plays for Trapani in Italian Serie A
Coty Clarke (6'7''-F-1992, played in 2012-14) plays for Shimane Susanoo Magic in Japanese B1 League
Rashad Madden (6'6''-F/G-1992, played in 2011-15) plays for Lefkadas in Greek Elite League
Gerald Hannahs (6'3''-G-1993, played in 2014-14) plays for Hapoel Eilat in Israeli National League
Delvon Johnson (6'9''-C-1989, played in 2009-11) played for Usti n/Labem in Czech Republic NBL last year
Trey Wade (6'6''-F-1998, played in 2021-22) plays for DEAC in Hungarian A Division
Chris Lykes (5'7''-PG-1998, played in 2021-22) played for Val-Dieu Spirou Basket Charleroi in Belgian Pro Basketball League last year
Ricky Council IV (6'5''-G-2001, played in 2022-23) plays for Rio Grande Valley Vipers in the NBA G League
Jalen Graham (6'9''-F-2001, played in 2022-24) plays for Rockhampton Rockets in Australian NBL One
Emeka Obukwelu (6'8''-F-1998, played in 2018-21) plays for Nyon in Swiss SBL
Dustin Thomas (6'8''-F-1995, played in 2015-15) plays for Ylli in Kosovan Superliga
Willy Kouassi (6'10''-C-1991, played in 2015-16) plays for Al Khewaildia in Saudi Arabian SBL
Jeremiah Davenport (6'7''-G-1999, played in 2023-24) plays for Angeles de Ciudad de Mexico in Mexican CIBACOPA
Makhi Mitchell (6'9''-F/C-2000, played in 2022-24) plays for Astros de Jalisco in Mexican CIBACOPA
Joe Johnson (6'7''-G-1981, played in 1999-01) played for Detroit Amps in the Big3 last year
Kamani Johnson (6'7''-PF-2000, played in 2021-23) played for Memphis Hustle in the NBA G League last year
Mason Jones (6'4''-G-1998, played in 2018-20) plays for HK JinNiu in Chinese NBL
Au'Diese Toney (6'6''-G-1999, played in 2021-22) plays for Edmonton Stingers in CEBL
Johnell Davis (6'4''-G-2001, played in 2024-25) plays for Orlando Magic in the NBA Summer League
Sonny Weems (6'6''-G/F-1986, played in 2005-08) plays for Jiaozuo in Chinese NBL
Michael Qualls (6'6''-G-1994, played in 2012-15) played for Borneo in Indonesian IBL last year
Chandler Lawson (6'7''-F-2000, played in 2023-24) played for Team 901 in the The Basketball Tournament last year
Jeantal Cylla (6'7''-F-1996, played in 2019-20) plays for Tangerang in Indonesian IBL
Notice: The list above includes only some of alumni playing currently in pro basketball. Check complete list of The University of Arkansas basketball alumni.
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| | Patrick Beverley (Greece) (Photo: @hapoeltlvbc)
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| | Justin Smith (Israel) (Photo: @Hapoel-Jeru)
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| | Jaylen Barford (Italy) (Photo: @pallacanest)
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