POSTED BY: Eurobasket News
EuroBasket Pro Mocs Weekly Update
Courtesy of Eurobasket LLC
Every week we bring you a list of the top former Mocs players who continue their career in pro basketball.
#1. Jake Stephens, a 7'0'' center aged 26, who graduated from Chattanooga in 2023 and received the NABC Division I All-District 21 First Team award that year, is currently playing professionally in Croatia. In a recent match, he made a significant impact by contributing to a convincing 87-70 victory against the ninth-ranked KK Cedevita Junior Zagreb (12-21). Despite only playing for 9 minutes, Stephens managed to score 10 points, showcasing his efficiency on the court.
Currently, KK Split (25-8) holds the third position in the league standings with only two games remaining in the Regular Season. With each game becoming crucial as the season progresses, Stephens' performance will be vital for his team's success. This season marks Stephens' debut with the team, and his remarkable skills as a champion were evident in the game against Cedevita Jr., where he not only scored 10 points but also secured 1 rebound and provided 1 assist to help lead his team to victory.
Throughout the season, Stephens has maintained solid averages of 9.6 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 1.1 assists per game, further solidifying his position as a key player for KK Split. As the team gears up for the final games of the season, Stephens' presence and contributions will be crucial in their pursuit of success in the Croatian Favbet Premijer Liga.
#2. French Thomas Smallwood, a 31-year-old champion and Mocs alum from 2019, currently playing professionally in Spain, made a significant contribution to his team's dominating 86-62 victory over the league leader Mollerussa (23-3) in the Spanish Tercera FEB (fourth division) on Saturday night. Despite only playing 13 minutes, Smallwood managed to score an impressive 10 points and secure 3 rebounds.
This highly anticipated matchup between two top 3 ranked teams in Group C-B showcased Smallwood's prowess on the court, with his team CB Prat Juventud (25-1) emerging victorious. The win marked their remarkable 23rd consecutive victory, highlighting their exceptional form this season. Smallwood's stellar performance not only bolstered his team's success but also demonstrated his capabilities as a true champion.
With an average of 10.8 points per game and 5.0 rebounds per game this season, Smallwood has consistently displayed strong and reliable performance on the court, proving himself as a valuable asset to his team. His dedication and skill set exemplify the qualities of a finalist in the making.
#3. Czech Republic native Jan Zidek, a 26-year-old forward standing at 6'9'' and a graduate of Chattanooga in 2024, currently competes professionally in Spain. Recently, he played a pivotal role in leading Grupo Ureta Tizona Burgos to a commanding 93-80 victory over Cartagena, one of the weaker teams in the Spanish Primera FEB (second division). Zidek's impressive performance included scoring 13 points and securing 3 rebounds in just 20 minutes of play.
Having received the All-SoCon Sixth Man of the Year award during his collegiate career, Zidek continues to showcase his talent and versatility on the court. Grupo Ureta Tizona Burgos, currently placed 13th in the league with a record of 10-22, has been on a roll with four consecutive wins. Despite the Regular Season coming to a close, Zidek's consistent contributions have been instrumental in his team's recent success.
Throughout this season, Zidek has maintained an average of 10.0 points per game and 2.3 rebounds per game, further solidifying his impact as a key player for Grupo Ureta Tizona Burgos. His stellar performance against Cartagena exemplifies his skill set and determination as he continues to excel in the Spanish professional basketball league.
#4. Haitian basketball player David Jean-Baptiste, standing at 6'5'' and 27 years old, is an alumnus of Mocs from the class of 2022. During his time with the team, he played a key role in helping them secure the SoCon Regular Season Champion title in that year. Currently, he is playing professionally in Denmark and is a valuable member of Team FOG Naestved.
In a recent game against the third-ranked Svendborg, with a record of 23-9, Jean-Baptiste contributed to Team FOG Naestved's impressive 95-80 victory on a Thursday night. Despite only scoring 2 points in 17 minutes of gameplay, his presence on the court was impactful. This match was a highly anticipated showdown between two of the top 3 teams in group Places 1-6, with Team FOG Naestved holding the second position with a record of 25-7.
During the game against Svendborg, Jean-Baptiste not only scored 2 points but also provided 1 assist, showcasing his diverse skill set and ability to make crucial plays when needed. His performance was instrumental in securing the win for his team and propelling them closer to their goal of becoming the champion. Throughout the season, Jean-Baptiste has maintained solid statistics, averaging 12.4 points per game, along with 2.8 rebounds and 2.7 assists, further solidifying his reputation as a skilled and reliable player in the league.
#5. Spanish champion Ramon Vila, a 6'9'' forward/center who is 28 years old and graduated from Chattanooga in 2020, currently plays professionally in Spain. He is a teammate of the finalist Jan Zidek and recently both of them competed together in the most recent Spanish Primera FEB game.
Vila played a key role in helping Grupo Ureta Tizona Burgos secure a victory against the weaker team Cartagena, with a final score of 93-80. Despite scoring only 4 points and making 3 assists in 16 minutes, Vila's performance was crucial in the team's success.
In his exceptional display against Cartagena, Vila contributed significantly with 4 points, 3 rebounds, and 3 assists, showcasing his versatility on the court. His strong performance was instrumental in leading his team to triumph.
Throughout this season, Vila has maintained solid averages of 8.2 points per game, 3.0 rebounds per game, and 1.2 assists per game, showing his consistent contribution to the team's success.
#6. Experienced champion Kevin Bridgewaters, a 5'11'' point guard who is 41 years old and an alumnus of the Mocs from 2008, currently plays professionally in the TBL. In a recent game last Wednesday, despite his outstanding performance, Bridgewaters could not lead the Newfoundland Rogues (15-11) to victory as they were narrowly defeated 94-93 on the road by the Port City Power, currently ranked #2 in the league.
Bridgewaters, the team's champion, showcased his skills by delivering an impressive performance with 20 points, 9 rebounds, and 3 assists in 35 minutes of play against the Port City Power. Despite his notable contributions, the Newfoundland Rogues fell short of securing the win in this closely contested match.
Throughout this season, the champion Bridgewaters has been averaging 8.7 points per game, along with 4.2 rebounds and 3.0 assists, demonstrating his valuable contributions to the team both on and off the court.
Other former University of Tennessee at Chattanooga players, who play in pro basketball:
Matt Ryan (6'7''-G/F-1997, played in 2019-20) plays for Dubai in UAE Adriatic League
Silvio de Sousa (6'9''-F-1998, played in 2020-22) plays for Maroussi in Greek GBL
Trey Bonham (6'0''-PG-2002, played in 2023-25) plays for Pardubice in Czech Republic NBL
Frank Champion (6'7''-F-2002, played in 2024-25) plays for Korihait in Finnish Korisliiga
Tyler Millin (6'7''-F-2000, played in 2023-24) plays for Komarno in Slovakian Tipos SBL
Stefan Kenic (6'9''-F-1997, played in 2019-21) plays for Neftci in Azerbaijani ABL
Mark Tikhonenko (6'10''-F-1998, played in 2020-21) plays for Jaen CB in Spanish Segunda FEB
Avery Diggs (6'10''-C-1998, played in 2021-22) plays for Tampa Bay Titans in the TBL
Notice: The list above includes only some of alumni playing currently in pro basketball. Check complete list of University of Tennessee at Chattanooga basketball alumni.
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| | Jake Stephens (Croatia) (Photo: @kkfmp)
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| | Thomas Smallwood (Spain) (Photo: @ESSMBasketO)
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| | Jan Zidek (Spain) (Photo: @CBTizona)
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