EuroBasket Pro Aggies Weekly Update

- May 18, 2026

POSTED BY: Eurobasket News

EuroBasket Pro Aggies Weekly Update

UC Davis logo Courtesy of Eurobasket LLC

Here is the weekly review of the top performing Aggies alumni, who are currently playing in pro basketball.
Look at great performance of TJ Shorts (15 points), Brynton Lemar (12 points), and Chima Moneke (11 points).

   #1. TJ Shorts, a 5'9'' point guard who is 28 years old and a graduate of UC Davis in 2019, has been making waves in the professional basketball scene in Greece. Recently, he showcased his talent by leading Panathinaikos to a decisive 90-76 victory over the seventh-ranked Mykonos in the Greek Stoiximan Basketball League. In this game, Shorts displayed his prowess on the court by scoring 15 points and making 3 assists in just 19 minutes of play. Panathinaikos Aktor Athens, currently placed second in the league with a record of 19-5, has benefitted greatly from Shorts' impressive performances. Throughout the season, he has maintained solid statistics, averaging 11.9 points, 2.0 rebounds, and 4.2 assists per game. His versatility and skill set have undoubtedly contributed to his team's success, solidifying his reputation as a champion. Shorts, a naturalized American, has a rich basketball background, having participated in the prestigious Eurobasket Summer League, known as a top platform for players aspiring to play professional basketball overseas. His dedication to the sport and consistent display of talent have cemented his status as a formidable player and a finalist.

   #2. Brynton Lemar, a 6'4'' shooting guard and 31-year-old Aggies alumnus from 2017, has been making waves in the professional basketball scene in Turkey. Currently playing for Besiktas Fibabanka Istanbul, he recently led his team to a significant victory over league leader Fenerbahce with a score of 85-72 in a highly anticipated match in the Turkish ING Basketbol Super Ligi. During the game, Lemar showcased his skills by contributing 12 points and 3 assists in just 20 minutes of play. This standout performance was crucial in securing the win for his team in a matchup between two top 4 ranked teams. Besiktas Fibabanka Istanbul, with a record of 25-5, currently holds the second position in the league standings. With only three games remaining in the Regular Season, each game becomes increasingly critical for teams vying for the top spots. Despite this being Lemar's first season with the team, his impact has been undeniable. His average stats for the season include 8.7 points, 1.3 rebounds, and 2.5 assists per game. As a naturalized American player, Lemar's impressive display of skill and determination on the court has undoubtedly played a key role in helping his team emerge as the champion in this competitive league.

   #3. Nigerian basketball player Chima Moneke, standing at 6'6'' and playing as a power forward, is a 30-year-old graduate of UC Davis from the class of 2018. During his time at UC Davis, he played a crucial role in helping the team secure the Big West Regular Season Champion title in 2018. Currently, Moneke is showcasing his skills as a professional player in Serbia. In a recent game in the AdmiralBet ABA League, Moneke demonstrated his prowess on the court by leading his Serbian team Crvena zvezda to a notable victory over Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana with a score of 95-86. Despite facing a closely-ranked opponent, Moneke's performance was outstanding as he contributed 11 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists within just 26 minutes of play. This game was a highly anticipated matchup between two top 4 ranked teams, and Moneke's efforts played a key role in securing the win for KK Crvena zvezda Meridianbet Beograd, who currently hold the third position in the league standings. Notably, this victory marked the fourth consecutive win for Moneke's team, showcasing their strong form in the league. This season marks Moneke's debut with KK Crvena zvezda, and his impact has been significant, with an average of 10.8 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 1.7 assists per game. Moneke's remarkable performance against Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana further solidified his reputation as a skilled and determined champion on the court, highlighting his capabilities as a player to watch in the league.

   #4. Elijah Pepper, a 6'4'' guard and 25-year-old Aggies alum from the class of 2024, has been making waves in the professional basketball scene in New Zealand. Recently, he led the Wellington Saints to a crucial victory over the Airs with a score of 81-71 in the New Zealand National Basketball League. This win was particularly significant as the Airs were closely ranked at 3-5. Pepper's stellar performance on the court earned him the MVP title of the game, where he scored an impressive 29 points, secured 8 rebounds, and provided 3 assists in 38 minutes of play. Such a standout display is commendable, especially considering that Pepper is only in his second season of professional basketball. Wellington Saints, currently placed fourth in the league with a record of 5-2, have been on a winning streak, with this victory marking their fourth consecutive triumph. Pepper's exceptional contribution to the team's success against the Airs highlights his prowess as a true champion player. His consistent performance throughout the season is evidenced by his impressive statistics, averaging 27.0 points per game (leading the league), along with 5.6 rebounds, 6.0 assists, and 3.3 steals per game (also leading the league). Pepper's remarkable skills and dedication to the game are setting him apart as a formidable finalist in the league.

   #5. Christian Anigwe, a 25-year-old 6'9'' forward who graduated from UC Davis in 2023, is currently playing professionally in Latvia. Recently, he showcased his talent by leading Rigas Zelli to a remarkable 112-100 victory over the sixth-ranked VEF Riga in a highly-anticipated derby game in the Latvian PafBet Latvijas Basketbola Liga. During this game, Anigwe was named the MVP after scoring 23 points and securing 5 rebounds in just 23 minutes of play. This outstanding performance is even more impressive considering that he is only in his third season in professional basketball. Rigas Zelli, the team led by Anigwe, is currently placed fourth in the East group. Anigwe's contribution to the team has been significant, with his season averages reflecting his impact - 11.8 points per game, 6.1 rebounds per game, and 1.1 steals per game. His consistent performance on the court has not only helped his team succeed but has also solidified his reputation as a champion. Anigwe's impressive display of skill and determination against VEF Riga highlights his ability to rise to the occasion and lead his team to victory. His remarkable scoring and rebounding contributions further emphasize his importance to Rigas Zelli's success this season.

   #6. Estonian champion Ran Andre Pehka, a 6'4'' point guard aged 24 and an Aggies alumnus from 2021, who currently plays professionally in Estonia, played a crucial role in leading TalTech/OPTIBET Tallinn to a resounding 97-77 victory over the closely-ranked Parnu in the Estonian Paf Korvpalli Meistriliiga on Sunday night. Despite only scoring 2 points in 3 minutes on the court, Pehka's contribution was instrumental in his team's success. Against Parnu, he managed to score 2 points and secure 1 rebound, aiding in the team's triumph and ultimate success as the finalist. This season, Pehka maintains an average of 5.9 points per game, along with 2.6 rebounds and 1.9 assists.

Other former University of California - Davis players, who play in pro basketball:

Oliver Gehrke (6'7''-F-2000, played in 2019-20) plays for Sodertalje in Swedish Basketligan
Ty Johnson (6'3''-G-2003, played in 2022-25) plays for Vilpas in Finnish Korisliiga
AJ John (6'8''-F-1996, played in 2016-16) plays for Kosice Wolves in Slovakian Tipos SBL
Leo DeBruhl (6'3''-G, played in 2021-25) plays for Vitre in French NM1
Joshua Fox (6'8''-F/C-1994, played in 2013-16) played for FIJ NT in Fijian few monts ago
Kane Milling (6'4''-G-2001, played in 2021-24) plays for Levallois Metropolitans BC in French NM1
Ade Adebayo (6'5''-G, played in 2019-24) plays for Sol Girones in Spanish Segunda FEB
Samuel Manu (6'7''-F-2000, played in 2022-24) plays for Taipei Taishin Mars in Taiwanese TPBL

Notice: The list above includes only some of alumni playing currently in pro basketball. Check complete list of University of California - Davis basketball alumni.