EuroBasket Pro Colonials Weekly Update

- May 16, 2026

POSTED BY: Eurobasket News

EuroBasket Pro Colonials Weekly Update

GWU logo Courtesy of Eurobasket LLC

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

   #1. Japanese basketball champion Yuta Watanabe, a 6'9'' forward who is 31 years old and graduated from GWU in 2018, is currently playing professionally in Japan. In their recent game, Watanabe, despite his remarkable performance, could not lead the second-placed Chiba Jets (42-18) to victory. The team suffered a 74-82 loss on the road to the leading Velca in the East group. Watanabe showcased his skills by being the top scorer of the game with 24 points and contributing 5 rebounds, making all of his six free throws during his 31 minutes on the court. He continued his impressive form from previous games, where he scored 24 points and collected 5 rebounds against Nagasaki, although unfortunately, his team was unable to secure a win. Throughout the season, Watanabe has maintained solid statistics, averaging 13.6 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 2.2 assists per game in the 62 games he has played so far. Despite the recent loss, Watanabe's consistent performance highlights his talent and contribution to the Chiba Jets as they strive towards success in the league.

   #2. Experienced Russian Tony Taylor, a 6'1'' point guard aged 35 and an alumnus of Colonials from 2012, currently playing professionally in Turkey, played a significant role in Trabzonspor's recent victory against Mersin Spor, one of the league's struggling teams with a record of 9-21. In the Turkish ING Basketbol Super Ligi game on Sunday night, Trabzonspor emerged victorious with a score of 90-80, thanks in large part to Taylor's standout performance. Taylor, in his first season with Trabzonspor Medical Park Basketbol, showcased his skills by scoring 12 points, grabbing 3 rebounds, and distributing 4 assists in just 25 minutes of play. These contributions were crucial in securing the win for his team and propelling them towards success in the league. Trabzonspor currently holds the sixth position in the league standings, with a record of 19-11, as the Regular Season has already concluded. Throughout the season, Taylor has maintained solid statistics, averaging 11.2 points, 1.7 rebounds, and 4.6 assists per game across 26 appearances. His consistent performance on the court has been instrumental in Trabzonspor's achievements, ultimately leading them to triumph as the champion.

   #3. Panamanian basketball player Ricardo Lindo Jr., a towering forward standing at 6'8'' and 25 years old, showcased his skills in a recent game for his team JL Bourg en Bresse in the French Betclic ELITE league. Despite Lindo Jr.'s efforts, his team could not overcome the lower-ranked JDA Dijon, succumbing to a disappointing 101-83 defeat. This marked JL Bourg en Bresse's fourth consecutive loss, highlighting the challenging season they have faced. In the game against JDA Dijon, Lindo Jr. displayed his talent by contributing 7 points, 3 rebounds, and 1 assist in just 17 minutes of play. His performance illustrated his value to the team, even in the face of adversity. With only one more game left in the Regular Season, Lindo Jr. and his team are gearing up for a crucial match that could potentially impact their standings. Throughout the season, Lindo Jr. has maintained solid averages of 8.0 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 1.1 assists per game in 29 appearances. His consistent contributions on the court have not gone unnoticed, solidifying his reputation as a key player for JL Bourg en Bresse. It is worth noting that despite being a Panamanian native, Lindo Jr. holds American citizenship, adding an interesting dimension to his basketball journey. As a talented player with the potential to make a significant impact, Lindo Jr. remains focused on helping his team achieve success and reach their goals in the league.

   #4. Nigerian standout Babatunde Akingbola, a 6'10'' center and 26-year-old Colonials alum from the class of 2024, currently showcasing his talent in the professional league in the Dominican Republic. Recently, he received recognition for his exceptional defensive skills by earning the prestigious Atlantic 10 All-Defensive Team award during his college days. In a recent game, Akingbola played a pivotal role in his team's dominant 131-102 victory over the struggling Soles, who hold a 2-10 record in the Liga Nacional de Baloncesto. Despite limited playing time of 21 minutes, he managed to contribute significantly with 8 points and 7 rebounds, showcasing his prowess on the court. His team, Indios de San Francisco, currently leads the league with an impressive 11-2 record, fueled by their recent fourth consecutive win. With only three games remaining in the Regular Season, each match becomes crucial as they aim for a strong finish. Akingbola's stellar performance against Soles highlighted his versatility, recording 8 points, 7 rebounds, and 2 assists, illustrating his value as a key player in securing important victories. His consistent display of skills and determination truly reflects the qualities of a champion. Throughout the season, Akingbola has maintained solid averages of 5.5 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 3.0 blocks per game in the four games he has played so far. His impact on the court as a naturalized Nigerian player continues to be instrumental for his team's success, making him a valuable asset in the league.

   #5. Danish Kevin Larsen, a 32-year-old center standing at 6'10'' who graduated from GWU in 2016 and helped them secure the NIT Champion title that year, currently plays professionally in Spain. In a recent game, Larsen unfortunately couldn't prevent Alicante (15-17) from suffering a tough 93-77 defeat at the hands of the higher-ranked (#4) Estudiantes in Madrid. Despite the loss, Larsen put on an impressive performance, finishing as the second-best scorer of the game with 13 points, along with contributing 5 rebounds and 6 assists during his 30 minutes on the court. This defeat marked Alicante's third consecutive loss in the league. Despite the team's recent struggles, Larsen has been having a standout season individually, boasting impressive statistics. He currently holds an average of 16.5 points per game, ranking third best in the league, along with 5.8 rebounds and 2.8 assists per game across 33 games played.

   #6. Argentinian basketball player Patricio Garino, a 6'7'' small forward who is 32 years old and an alumnus of the Colonials class of 2016, played a pivotal role in helping his team clinch the NIT Champion title in that same year. Currently playing professionally in Spain, he recently faced off against Kevin Larsen in the Spanish Primera FEB league. In a recent game, Garino contributed to Movistar Estudiantes Madrid's impressive 93-77 victory over the ninth-ranked Alicante, despite only scoring 2 points in 18 minutes of play. Along with his 2 points, he also secured 1 rebound and provided 1 assist in the game, proving to be instrumental in his team's success as the finalist. Throughout this season, Garino has maintained an average of 9.7 points per game and 2.8 rebounds per game over 31 games. Additionally, it is worth noting that he holds an Italian passport.

   #7. German Benjamin Schroeder, a 6'7'' guard/forward at 22 years old, who graduated from GWU in 2024, showcased his skills on the court by contributing to Basketball Loewen Braunschweig's impressive 104-90 victory over the 12th-ranked Chemnitz in the German easyCredit BBL game held on Sunday night. Despite scoring just 2 points in 17 minutes of play, Schroeder's impact was felt as he also managed to grab 1 rebound and provide 1 assist against Chemnitz, ultimately playing a key role in his team's triumph and journey to becoming the champion. Throughout this season, Schroeder has been consistent, averaging 5.3 points per game and 2.6 rebounds per game across 29 games, solidifying his position as a vital player in the team's quest for success.

Other former The George Washington University players, who play in pro basketball:

Tyler Cavanaugh (6'9''-PF-1994, played in 2014-17) plays for Bahcesehir Koleji Istanbul in Turkish BSL
Brendan Adams (6'4''-G-2000, played in 2023-23) plays for Parma-Pari in Russian VTB United League
Arnaldo Barea (6'8''-C-1997, played in 2016-20) plays for Szombathely in Hungarian A Division
Isaiah Armwood (6'9''-F-1990, played in 2011-11) played for Sporting in Portuguese Liga Betclic few monts ago
James Bishop IV (6'2''-G-2000, played in 2020-24) plays for Prievidza in Slovakian Tipos SBL
Hunter Dean (6'10''-F-2001, played in 2020-23) plays for Derby in Montenegrin Erste Liga
Maceo Jack (6'5''-G-1998, played in 2017-21) plays for Newcastle Eagles in British SLB
Theofanis Stamoulis (6'3''-G, played in 2021-23) plays for GS Ermis Shimatariou in Greek Elite League
Maurice Creek (6'5''-G-1990, played in 2013-14) played for Capital Seahawks in the TBL last year

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