POSTED BY: Eurobasket News
EuroBasket Pro Spartans Weekly Update
Courtesy of Eurobasket LLC
Here is the weekly review of the top performing Spartans alumni, who are currently playing in pro basketball.
#1. Duke Shelton, a 30-year-old basketball player standing at 6'10'' and playing as a center/forward, graduated from Tampa in 2018 and received the prestigious All-SSC Defensive Player of the Year award in the same year. Currently, he is a professional player in the United Kingdom. In a recent game, Shelton played a crucial role in Manchester Basketball's unexpected triumph over the second-ranked MBC with a score of 89-86 in the European North Basketball League. Despite Manchester Basketball being positioned 11th in the league with a record of 6-2, Shelton's stellar performance contributed significantly to his team's success.
During the game, Shelton showcased his skills by scoring 10 points and grabbing 5 rebounds in just 16 minutes of play. This impressive performance not only helped Manchester Basketball secure their fourth consecutive victory but also highlighted Shelton's capabilities as a champion on the court. His valuable contributions were pivotal in the team's win against Weissenfels, further emphasizing his importance to the team.
In the current season, Shelton has been averaging 2.3 points per game and 2.2 rebounds per game in the six games he has played so far. With his consistent performance and impactful presence, Shelton continues to prove himself as a key player and a finalist in every game he participates in.
#2. Canadian Freddy Ibrahim, a 29-year-old guard standing at 6'3'' and an alumnus of Spartans from 2019, currently playing professionally in Jordan, showcased an outstanding performance in a recent Jordanian Premier League game. Ibrahim, who received the Asia-Basket.com All-William Jones Cup Second Team award in 2019, was a key player in Amman United's impressive 93-69 victory over the closely-ranked Al Faisaly.
In this highly anticipated matchup between two top 4 teams, Ibrahim's stellar play was instrumental in securing his team's ninth consecutive win. With a remarkable double-double, he scored 22 points and delivered 12 assists in just 18 minutes of play. His exceptional contributions on the court truly exemplified his capabilities as a champion.
Throughout the season, Ibrahim has maintained high statistical performance, averaging 17.5 points, 2.0 rebounds, 7.0 assists, and 1.5 steals per game. His versatility and skill set have made him a standout player in the league.
It is notable that Ibrahim holds dual American and Canadian citizenship, providing him with the opportunity to play as a domestic player in Canada as well. His recent accomplishments and consistent excellence on the court solidify his status as a finalist in the realm of basketball talent.
#3. Spanish champion Alberto Moreno, a 29-year-old guard standing at 6'3'' and a graduate of ETAMU in 2020, previously playing in Tampa from 2016 to 2019 before pursuing his professional career in Spain, showcased his skills to lead the Spanish Basketball Academy to a thrilling 85-80 victory over the fifth-ranked Gandia in the Spanish Segunda FEB, the third division, during Saturday night's game. Despite only scoring 4 points and grabbing 4 rebounds in 8 minutes on the court, Moreno's impact was pivotal in securing the win for his team.
The Spanish Basketball Academy, currently holding the fourth position in the East group with a record of 18-8, claimed their eighth consecutive victory, highlighting their strong performance in the league. With just two games remaining in the Regular Season, every upcoming match will be crucial for the team. Moreno, in his first season with the Spanish Basketball Academy, has proven to be a valuable asset, especially in the recent game against Gandia where his 4 points, 4 rebounds, and 1 assist significantly contributed to the team's success, leading them to be the champion of the game.
Throughout the season, Moreno has maintained an average of 6.1 points, 2.8 rebounds, 3.0 assists, and 1.4 steals per game in 24 appearances, showcasing his versatility and impact on the court. His performance against Gandia exemplified his skill and determination, essential qualities that have established him as a key player for the Spanish Basketball Academy.
Other former University of Tampa players, who play in pro basketball:
Jonathan Bryant II (6'3''-G-1998) plays for Susanj in Montenegrin Prva B
Pat Bacon (6'0''-PG-1997, played in 2015-20) played for Neftci in Azerbaijani ABL few monts ago
Tyson Leitao (6'7''-F-2002, played in 2021-25) plays for Iserlohn Kangaroos in German ProB
Jeremy Black (6'9''-C-1985, played in 2004-08) played for Bad Bergzabern in German 2.Regionalliga last year
Bastien Motte (6'4''-G-1993, played in 2010-14) played for Melsele in Belgian Top Division II last year
Alexandros Pitoulis (6'3''-G-1988, played in 2008-12) played for POK Esperos Kallitheas in Greek National League 1 last year
Vincent Cornu (6'7''-F/C-1990, played in 2012-14) played for Caen ASPTT in French NM3 last year
Cedric Belemene (6'7''-F-1996, played in 2018-19) plays for Tijola in Spanish Tercera FEB
Notice: The list above includes only some of alumni playing currently in pro basketball. Check complete list of University of Tampa basketball alumni.
Duke Shelton is last week best Spartans alumni, who plays professional basketball (Photo: @ridersbball)
