EuroBasket Pro Blue Demons Weekly Update

EuroBasket Pro Blue Demons Weekly Update


Courtesy of Eurobasket LLC

We bring you last week's top former Blue Demons players who are currently playing in pro basketball.


   #1. Umoja Gibson, the 6'1'' point guard aged 27, who graduated from DePaul in 2023 and currently plays professionally in Slovenia, demonstrated his exceptional talent by leading his Slovenian team Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana to a resounding victory over the closely-ranked Crvena zvezda with a score of 92-86 in the AdmiralBet ABA League during Tuesday night's game. In this intense matchup between two top 4 ranked teams, Gibson's outstanding performance earned him the well-deserved title of MVP of the game. His remarkable display included scoring an impressive 26 points, grabbing 8 rebounds, dishing out 5 assists, and making 3 steals in just 33 minutes of play. This remarkable feat is even more impressive considering that it is only his third season in professional basketball. This victory was particularly significant as it marked his team's first win after a streak of six consecutive losses. Despite it being his first year with the team, Gibson's impact on the court has been undeniable. His stellar performance against Crvena zvezda underscored his status as a champion player, leading his team to success in a crucial game that showcased his exceptional skills and leadership. Throughout the season, Gibson has consistently delivered outstanding performances, averaging 15.7 points per game, along with 1.7 rebounds, 5.2 assists (ranking third in the league), and 1.5 steals (ranking fourth in the league) in the 25 games he has played so far. His remarkable statistics highlight his remarkable contributions to the team and solidify his position as a standout finalist in the league.

   #2. Max Strus, a 30-year-old guard standing at 6'6'' and an alumnus of the Blue Demons from 2019, played a crucial role in helping his team reach the CBI Championship Finalist that year. Currently, he is showcasing his talent in the NBA, where he plays professionally. In a recent game, Strus led the Cleveland Cavaliers to a hard-fought victory against the Detroit Pistons with a scoreline of 117-113. Putting up an impressive performance, he scored 20 points, grabbed 8 rebounds, and provided 1 assist in 37 minutes of play. Despite the Cleveland Cavaliers having a somewhat modest record of 52-30 this season, Strus has been a standout player with solid stats. Throughout the season, he has maintained an average of 10.8 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 2.0 assists per game over 24 games. His exceptional skills and contributions on the court against Detroit exemplified his capabilities as a true champion, ultimately leading his team to victory.

   #3. Tre McCallum, a 6'7'' forward and 30-year-old professional basketball player who graduated from DePaul in 2018, demonstrated his exceptional skills on the court as he led Caballeros de Culiacan to a crucial victory over the Toros in a recent game in the Mexican Circuito de Baloncesto de la Costa del Pacifico. The closely-ranked Toros were defeated 110-100 in a thrilling match on Friday night, with McCallum shining as the MVP of the game. He scored an impressive 26 points, grabbed 6 rebounds, and dished out 2 assists in 37 minutes of play, showcasing his prowess as a true champion. Caballeros de Culiacan, currently placed seventh in the league with a record of 17-21, secured their third consecutive victory, thanks in large part to McCallum's stellar performance. With only two games remaining in the Regular Season, every game is now critical for the team as they aim to solidify their position in the standings. Throughout the season, McCallum has been having an outstanding year individually, with impressive averages of 16.6 points, 4.7 rebounds, 2.2 assists, and 1.4 steals per game in 24 appearances. His consistent contributions and leadership on the court have undoubtedly played a significant role in his team's success, further establishing him as a standout finalist in the league.

   #4. Paul Reed Jr., a 6'9'' forward and former Blue Demons alumni from 2020, who received the All-Big East Second Team award that year, currently plays professionally in the NBA. In a recent game for the Detroit Pistons (60-22), he unfortunately couldn't help his team secure a victory against the Cleveland Cavaliers, as they lost 103-112 on the road. Despite the loss, Reed Jr. put on a commendable performance, contributing 15 points, 4 rebounds, and 2 assists in just 14 minutes of play. His noteworthy display against the Cavaliers showcased his skills on both ends of the court, but it wasn't enough to lead his team to a win. Throughout the season, Reed Jr. has maintained solid statistics, averaging 7.6 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 1.2 assists per game across 72 games. As a promising player in the league, he continues to showcase his talent and potential despite the Pistons' recent setback in the game against the Cavaliers.

   #5. Canadian Nick Ongenda, a 25-year-old center standing at 6'11'' who graduated from DePaul in 2023 and currently plays professionally in Israel, showcased his skills in the recent game for H.Gilboa Galil. Even though Ongenda had a notable performance, scoring 12 points and securing 7 rebounds in 25 minutes, his team suffered a close 75-79 defeat at home against the second-ranked Hapoel Tel-Aviv. This loss marked H.Gilboa Galil's third consecutive defeat. With only three games remaining in the Regular Season, each upcoming match holds significant importance for the team's playoff aspirations. Ongenda's consistent performance throughout the season is evident in his averages of 8.6 points, 5.7 rebounds, 1.2 assists, and 2.5 blocks per game over 10 games played this year. Despite his individual efforts, Ongenda and H.Gilboa Galil will need to regroup and strive for victories in their upcoming games to secure a spot in the playoffs.

   #6. In the recent game, the skilled Croatian player, Aleksandar Marcius, who stands tall at 6'10'' and is a 35-year-old center, showcased his talent for Treviglio. Despite his outstanding performance, where he scored 20 points and grabbed 6 rebounds in 27 minutes, Treviglio faced a tough loss against the higher-ranked team, Latina, who secured a convincing 85-65 victory on their home court. Marcius, a former Blue Demons alumnus from 2014, currently playing professionally in Italy, displayed his prowess on the court but couldn't prevent his team from suffering a defeat. Throughout the season, Marcius has been a key player for Treviglio, averaging 10.0 points per game and 7.4 rebounds per game in 36 appearances. His consistent contributions have been vital for the team's performance despite the challenging loss in the recent game against Latina.

   #7. Experienced champion Myke Henry, a 6'6'' forward at 33 years old who graduated from DePaul in 2016 and currently plays professionally in Venezuela, showcased his skills by leading Brillantes to a decisive 82-70 victory over the closely-ranked Heroes in a thrilling derby match in the Venezuelan Superliga Profesional de Baloncesto on Friday night. Throughout the game, he displayed his prowess on the court and was rightfully awarded the MVP title for his outstanding performance. Henry's stat line was impressive, as he contributed 25 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 assists in just 27 minutes of play, showcasing his efficiency by making all of his six free throws. His stellar performance not only helped secure the victory for Brillantes but also highlighted his status as a finalist in the game. Henry has been having a standout year individually, consistently putting up impressive numbers. In 11 games, he has been averaging 16.9 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 2.5 assists per game, further solidifying his reputation as a skilled and valuable player in the league. His remarkable contributions on the court demonstrate why he is considered a champion in the world of basketball.

   #8. Croatian center Marin Maric, standing at 6'11'' and 32 years old, and an alumnus of the Blue Demons since 2018, currently plays professionally in Taiwan. In a recent exciting match in the Taiwanese TPBL, Maric led the Hsinchu Lioneers to a thrilling 97-94 victory over the closely-ranked Dreamers on Saturday night. Demonstrating his prowess on the court, Maric was named the MVP of the game for his outstanding performance. He achieved a double-double by scoring 21 points and grabbing 11 rebounds during his 37 minutes of play. Maric's exceptional skills were on full display against the Dreamers as he not only scored 21 points and secured 11 rebounds but also contributed 2 assists, proving to be a key player in guiding his team to success. His remarkable display earned him the prestigious Triple-Double Badge from eurobasket.com, solidifying his status as a true champion in the game of basketball. Individually, Maric has been enjoying a stellar season with impressive statistics. He boasts an average of 16.2 points per game, 11.5 rebounds per game (ranking fourth best in the league), 2.1 assists per game, and 1.4 steals per game across 16 games. Maric's consistent performance and contribution to his team's victories highlight his talent and dedication as a basketball player.

   #9. Jamaican Femi Olujobi, a 6'9'' center/forward who is 30 years old and graduated from DePaul in 2019, has been making a significant impact in the professional basketball scene in Taiwan. Known for his role in helping DePaul reach the CBI Championship Finalist in 2019, Olujobi continues to showcase his talent as a player for the New Taipei Kings. In a recent game against the league-leading Leopards, Olujobi played a crucial role in his team's impressive 113-105 victory. He put up impressive numbers, scoring 21 points, grabbing 6 rebounds, and blocking 2 shots in just 28 minutes of play. His stellar performance was instrumental in securing the win for the Kings. Notably, Olujobi demonstrated his skills once again in a game against Taiwan Beer, where he scored 21 points and secured 6 rebounds, leading his team to another victory. His consistent contributions highlight his prowess as a champion player on the court. Throughout the season, Olujobi has maintained impressive individual statistics, averaging 18.0 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 1.8 assists per game across 18 games. His strong performance underscores his value to the team and solidifies his reputation as a standout player in the league. It is worth mentioning that Olujobi is a naturalized American, further adding to his diverse background and international basketball experience.

   #10. CJ Gunn, a 6'7'' guard and 22-year-old Blue Demons alumni from 2026, is currently playing professionally in Canada. In a recent game, Gunn, representing the Calgary Surge, faced off against the Blackjacks but unfortunately could not lead his team to victory. This game, which took place on a Tuesday, did not turn out to be one of Gunn's standout performances. During the match, Gunn only managed to score 2 points while being on the court for 8 minutes. This game marked his debut for the Calgary Surge this season, and despite his efforts, his team fell short, losing to the Blackjacks by a close margin of 88-93. In a subsequent game against Ottawa, Gunn displayed a more noteworthy performance by contributing 2 points, 1 rebound, and 1 assist. However, despite his individual efforts, the Calgary Surge could not secure a win, and Gunn found himself on the losing side once again.


Other former De Paul University players, who play in pro basketball:

Cleveland Melvin (6'8''-F-1991, played in 2010-14) plays for PAOK in Greek GBL
Brandon Johnson (6'8''-PF-1997, played in 2021-22) played for Paulistano/Corpore Sao Paolo in Brazilian NBB few monts ago
Javan Johnson (6'6''-F-1999, played in 2023-23) plays for Coviran Granada in Spanish Liga Endesa
Chico Carter Jr. (6'3''-G-2000, played in 2023-24) plays for Energa Icon Sea Czarni Slupsk in Polish OBL
Eral Penn (6'7''-F-1998, played in 2022-23) plays for Energa Icon Sea Czarni Slupsk in Polish OBL
Devin Gage (6'2''-G-1997, played in 2016-20) plays for Venados de Mazatlan in Mexican CIBACOPA
Javon Freeman-Liberty (6'3''-G-1999, played in 2020-22) plays for Long Island Nets in the NBA G League
Troy D'Amico (6'7''-F-2002, played in 2024-25) plays for B.Braun Sheffield Sharks in British SLB
Brendan Favre (6'5''-G/F-1999, played in 2019-23) plays for Union NE in Swiss SBL
Yor Anei (6'10''-F-1999, played in 2021-23) plays for Vellaznimi in Kosovan Superliga
Billy Garrett (6'6''-SG-1994, played in 2013-17) plays for Juvi Cremona in Italian Serie A2
Dar Tucker (6'5''-SG-1988, played in 2007-09) played for Hsinchu Lioneers in Taiwanese TPBL last year
Elijah Cain (6'6''-G-1996, played in 2015-19) plays for San Diego Clippers in the NBA G League
Romeo Weems (6'7''-F-2001, played in 2019-21) plays for Rip City Remix in the NBA G League
Brandon Young (6'4''-G-1991, played in 2010-14) plays for Shandong in Chinese NBL
Isaiah Rivera (6'5''-G, played in 2024-25) plays for Cartagena in Spanish Primera FEB

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

Umoja Gibson (Slovenia) (Photo: @kosarkaski.)

Max Strus (NBA) (Photo: @MaxStrus31)

Tre McCallum (Mexico) (Photo: @thewindycit)