POSTED BY: Eurobasket News
EuroBasket Pro Panthers Weekly Update
Courtesy of Eurobasket LLC
Here is the weekly review of the top performing Panthers alumni, who are currently playing in pro basketball.
#1. Serbian champion Aleksa Novakovic, a 29-year-old forward standing at 6'7'' and a graduate of EIU in 2016, currently playing professionally in Hungary, unfortunately couldn't lead Szombathely (19-7) to victory in their recent game last Saturday. Despite his commendable performance, the sixth-placed Szombathely (19-7) suffered a 94-79 defeat on the road against the higher-ranked Szolnok (#5) in the Play-Off group.
Novakovic showcased his skills by being the second-best scorer of the game with 17 points and contributing 4 rebounds in 31 minutes of play. This marks Novakovic's debut season with the team, and he has been a consistent performer throughout the season, averaging 8.2 points per game, along with 3.1 rebounds and 1.1 assists.
In the match against Szolnok, Novakovic delivered a remarkable performance, scoring 17 points, grabbing 4 rebounds, and providing 1 assist. Despite his impressive efforts, his team fell short and couldn't secure the victory.
#2. Mack Smith-McEwen, a 6'3'' guard and 28-year-old Broncos alumni from 2022, showcased his skills in the North Macedonian Super League game on Wednesday night. Playing for KK MZT Skopje, he led his team to a hard-fought 81-76 victory over the fourth-ranked Madzari. Smith-McEwen's stellar performance earned him the title of MVP of the game, as he contributed significantly with 19 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists, and 3 steals in 37 minutes of play.
His exceptional display of talent not only secured the win for KK MZT Skopje but also highlighted his prowess as a champion on the court. Currently, KK MZT Skopje Aerodrom holds the top spot in the Places 1-6 group with a record of 22-5. Smith-McEwen's consistent performance throughout the season, averaging 13.0 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 4.1 assists per game, further solidifies his status as a key player and a finalist in every match he plays.
#3. Ranell Crossland, a 6'6'' small forward who is 30 years old and graduated from EIU in 2018, showcased his skills in a recent The Basketball League game where he helped the St. Louis Griffins emerge victorious over the Glass City Wranglers with a score of 103-94. Despite the Griffins holding a somewhat weak 10-3 record this season, Crossland's contribution of 5 points and 1 rebound in just 19 minutes proved to be crucial in securing the win for his team. With only four games remaining in the regular season, each upcoming match will be of utmost importance for the team.
Crossland's overall performance this season has been noteworthy, with averages of 8.4 points, 3.8 rebounds, 2.2 assists, and 1.2 steals per game. His background as a former Eurobasket Summer League player further solidifies his talent and dedication to the sport, making him a key player for the St. Louis Griffins as they strive towards success in the league.
Other former Eastern Illinois University players, who play in pro basketball:
Muusa Dama (6'10''-C/F-1996, played in 2016-18) plays for Shimane Susanoo Magic in Japanese B1 League
Lazar Grbovic (6'8''-F-2000, played in 2023-25) plays for Mornar in Montenegrin Erste Liga
Jermaine Hamlin (6'10''-F-2000, played in 2021-24) plays for Cherkasy in Ukrainian Superleague
Tiger Booker (5'10''-PG-2000, played in 2023-24) plays for Komarno in Slovakian Tipos SBL
Artese Stapleton (6'3''-G, played in 2024-25) plays for Madzari in North Macedonian Super League
Curry McKinney (6'4''-G, played in 2009-11) played for West Coast Breeze in the TBL few monts ago
Levi Noel (6'6''-SF-1991, played in 2010-11) played for City of Birmingham Rockets in British BCB last year
Sekou Kalle (6'10''-F, played in 2024-25) plays for Sagrado Corazon in Spanish Tercera FEB
Notice: The list above includes only some of alumni playing currently in pro basketball. Check complete list of Eastern Illinois University basketball alumni.
Aleksa Novakovic is last week best Panthers alumni, who plays professional basketball (Photo: @kkboraccacak)
