EuroBasket Pro Dukes Weekly Update
Courtesy of Eurobasket LLC
We bring you last week's top former Dukes players who are currently playing in pro basketball.
#1. Mezie Offurum, a talented 6'8'' forward who graduated from JMU in 2023, is currently playing professionally in Switzerland. In a recent game, he led Fribourg to a resounding 91-69 victory over Pully in the Swiss Basketball League. Offurum's stellar performance earned him the MVP title of the game, as he scored an impressive 35 points, grabbed 6 rebounds, and dished out 2 assists in 36 minutes of play. This remarkable display of skill is even more noteworthy considering it is only his third season in professional basketball. The game between Fribourg and Pully was highly anticipated, as both teams are top 4 ranked in the league, with Fribourg Olympic leading the standings with a record of 23-1.
Offurum's contribution to his team's success exemplifies his prowess as a champion player, showcasing his skills and determination on the court. This victory marked Fribourg's 13th consecutive win, further solidifying their position as a formidable force in the league.
Individually, Offurum has been having an outstanding season, averaging 18.6 points, 6.5 rebounds, 2.1 assists, and 1.4 steals per game in the 29 games he has played so far. His consistent high-level performance has undoubtedly been instrumental in his team's impressive run this season.
It is worth noting that Offurum, a standout player, is a naturalized Nigerian, adding to the diversity and talent he brings to the professional basketball scene in Switzerland.
#2. Mark Freeman, a 27-year-old point guard standing at 5'11'' and an alumnus of Dukes from the class of 2025, has been making waves in the professional basketball scene in Georgia. Recently, he led Tkibuli Orbi to a thrilling 91-85 victory over the closely-ranked TSU in the Georgian Superleague. In this Sunday night's game, Freeman's stellar performance earned him the title of MVP as he showcased his skills by scoring 23 points, dishing out 7 assists, and spending 33 minutes on the court. Despite it being his first season in professional basketball, Freeman's impact was undeniable, contributing significantly to his team's success.
Tkibuli Orbi, currently ranked fifth in the league with an 11-9 record, has benefited greatly from Freeman's impressive stats throughout the season. Averaging 19.6 points per game, 3.8 rebounds per game, 6.3 assists per game (the third best in the league), and 1.8 steals per game in 16 appearances, Freeman has consistently been a standout player. His exceptional performance against TSU further solidified his reputation as a champion on the court, showcasing his talent and determination to succeed at the professional level.
#3. Noah Freidel, a 6'4'' guard who is 25 years old and graduated from JMU in 2024, currently plays professionally in Poland. Despite his impressive performance, Freidel could not help King Szczecin (21-9) secure a victory in their recent game against the leading Legia, with a final score of 84-88. In that game, Freidel contributed 12 points, 5 rebounds, and 2 assists in 30 minutes of play. This defeat marked King Szczecin's first loss after a successful streak of four consecutive victories.
With only three games remaining in the Regular Season, each upcoming game becomes crucial for King Szczecin. This season marks Freidel's first playing with the team, and he has been averaging 9.4 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 1.3 assists per game in the 30 games he has played so far. Despite the setback against Legia, Freidel's consistent performance and contributions will be vital as King Szczecin aims to finish the season strong and make a push in the playoffs.
#4. Experienced champion Ronald Curry, a 6'4'' guard and 32-year-old Duke alumnus from 2016, currently plays professionally in Poland. In a recent game, he led MKS Dabrowa Gornicza to a thrilling 87-84 victory over closely-ranked Anwil, scoring 11 points, grabbing 4 rebounds, dishing out 7 assists, and making 3 steals in just 27 minutes of play. Despite being placed ninth in the league with a record of 16-14, MKS Dabrowa Gornicza is gearing up for the final games of the Play-In, with only three matchups remaining. Every game from now on will be crucial as they aim for success in the league.
Curry, in his first season with the team, showcased an impressive performance against Anwil, demonstrating his skills and leadership on the court. With an average of 11.3 points, 3.3 rebounds, 4.6 assists, and 1.3 steals per game in 24 appearances this season, Curry has been a key player for his team. His valuable contributions and consistent performance highlight his potential as a finalist in the league.
#5. T.J. Bickerstaff, a 6'9'' forward who graduated from JMU in 2024 and received the All-Sun Belt Newcomer of the Year award, is currently playing professionally in Israel for Hapoel Altshuler Shaham Beer Sheva. In their recent game against Maccabi Tel-Aviv, Bickerstaff put in a strong effort, achieving a double-double with 13 points, 12 rebounds, and 3 assists in 30 minutes of play. Despite his impressive performance, H.Be'er Sheva lost 69-81 on the road, marking their fourth consecutive loss.
With only three games remaining in the Regular Season, each match becomes crucial for the team. This is Bickerstaff's debut season with Hapoel Altshuler Shaham Beer Sheva, and his contributions on the court have been notable. His noteworthy performance against Maccabi Tel-Aviv earned him the Triple-Double Badge from eurobasket.com, highlighting his prowess as a champion player.
Throughout the season, Bickerstaff has been averaging 7.8 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 1.5 assists per game across six games. Despite the team's recent struggles, Bickerstaff's consistent efforts and skills continue to shine, showcasing his potential as a finalist player in the league.
#6. Juwann James, a 6'6'' center and 39-year-old alumni of Dukes from the class of 2009, has been making waves in the Swiss Basketball League as a professional player in Switzerland. Recently, he showcased his talent in a game where he led Geneve to a resounding victory over the closely-ranked Starwings, with a final score of 85-64.
In this game, James displayed his prowess on the court by scoring 13 points, grabbing 5 rebounds, dishing out 4 assists, and making 3 steals, all in just 19 minutes of play. His stellar performance was instrumental in securing the win for his team, highlighting his abilities as a true champion and leader.
Throughout the season, James has maintained solid statistics, averaging 10.6 points, 3.7 rebounds, 2.7 assists, and 1.2 steals per game across 25 appearances. His consistent contributions and standout performances have solidified his reputation as a skilled player and a formidable finalist in the league.
#7. Luke Anderson, a 25-year-old, 6'8'' forward who graduated from JMU in 2025 and helped them secure the Sun Belt Regular Season Co-Champion title that year, currently plays professionally in Australia. In a recent game, despite his notable performance, Anderson was unable to carry Sunshine Coast Phoenix to victory against the Gold Coast Rollers. The seventh-placed SC Phoenix suffered a significant 113-93 defeat at the hands of the higher-ranked Rollers, who are positioned at number four in the North group standings. Anderson showcased his skills by scoring 15 points, grabbing 7 rebounds, and achieving a perfect 5-for-5 from the free-throw line, all within 27 minutes of play.
Although Anderson displayed an impressive performance against the Gold Coast Rollers, contributing 15 points and 7 rebounds, his team ultimately faced defeat. Throughout this season, Anderson has maintained relatively good statistics, averaging 15.0 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 1.3 assists per game across four matches.
#8. New Zealand champion Thomas Vodanovich, a 6'7'' forward aged 31 and a Dukes alumni from 2017, who currently plays professionally in New Zealand, showcased his skills by leading Auckland Tuatara to a narrow 2-point victory against the eighth-ranked Giants with a final score of 99-97 in the New Zealand National Basketball League during Sunday night's game. Vodanovich had an impressive performance, scoring 17 points and grabbing 6 rebounds in just 27 minutes of play, proving to be a key player in securing the win for his team. His stellar contribution on the court ultimately helped Auckland Tuatara emerge as the champion in the matchup.
Throughout the season, Vodanovich has been consistently performing at a high level, averaging 16.2 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 1.3 assists per game over the course of six games. His strong individual stats complement his impactful presence on the court, further solidifying his reputation as a standout finalist in the league.
Other former James Madison University players, who play in pro basketball:
Terrence Edwards (6'6''-G/F-2002, played in 2020-24) plays for Avtodor in Russian VTB United League
Matt Lewis (6'4''-G-1998, played in 2017-21) plays for Panionios in Greek GBL
Takal Molson (6'4''-F/G-1998, played in 2021-23) plays for Fribourg in Swiss SBL
Michael Green III (6'0''-PG-2001, played in 2023-24) plays for M.Kiryat Gat in Israeli National League
Ebenezer Dowuona (6'11''-F-2002, played in 2024-25) plays for Maine Celtics in the NBA G League
Andre Nation (6'5''-PF-1993, played in 2012-15) plays for Gaiteros in Venezuelan SPB
Bryant Randleman (6'4''-G-2000, played in 2023-24) plays for Sokhumi in Georgian A League
Alonzo Sule (6'7''-F-1999, played in 2021-23) plays for M.Petah Tikva in Israeli National League
Elijah Hutchins-Everett (6'10''-C-2001, played in 2024-25) plays for Sumqayit in Azerbaijani ABL
Noah Williams (6'5''-G-2001, played in 2024-25) played for Leones in Nicaraguan TBN few monts ago
Andrey Semenov (6'7''-F-1990, played in 2010-14) played for Chelbasket in Russian Superleague last year
Notice: The list above includes only some of alumni playing currently in pro basketball. Check complete list of James Madison University basketball alumni.
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| | Mezie Offurum (Switzerland) (Photo: @CChartresBa)
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| | Mark Freeman (Georgia) (Photo: @orbibc)
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| | Noah Freidel (Poland) (Photo: @JMUSports)
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