POSTED BY: Eurobasket News
EuroBasket Pro Savage Storm Weekly Update
Courtesy of Eurobasket LLC
Here is the weekly review of the top performing Savage Storm alumni, who are currently playing in pro basketball.
#1. Experienced Urald King, a 6'6'' forward who is 35 years old and graduated from SE Oklahoma in 2014 with an All-GAC First Team award, currently plays professionally in Germany. In a recent game, King, a champion in his own right, was unable to lead VET-CONCEPT Gladiators Trier (16-15) to victory against Science City Jena (#16). Despite his strong performance where he scored 12 points, grabbed 5 rebounds, dished out 4 assists, and blocked 2 shots in just 23 minutes, Trier suffered a 102-94 defeat on the road.
With only three games remaining in the Regular Season, each upcoming game becomes increasingly crucial for Trier's playoff hopes. King showcased his skills against Jena by putting up 12 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 assists, but unfortunately, his efforts were not enough to secure the win for his team.
Throughout this season, the finalist King has been averaging 8.2 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 1.3 assists per game. As the Regular Season winds down, King will look to continue his strong performances to help his team secure a spot in the playoffs.
#2. Australian Kyle Leslie, a 6'7'' forward and a Savage Storm alum from 2024, played a pivotal role in helping his team secure the GAC Regular Season Co-Champion title that year. Currently playing professionally in Australia, Leslie continues to showcase his talent as he led the Cairns Marlins to a dominant victory over the tenth-ranked Wizards with a final score of 99-72 in the Australian NBL One, the second division league, on Saturday night.
In the game, Leslie displayed his skills by contributing 11 points and grabbing 5 rebounds in just 16 minutes of play. The Cairns Marlins, with a perfect record of 4-0, are positioned at the top of the North group standings. Leslie's consistent performance has been instrumental in his team's unbeaten streak during the Regular Season, highlighting his importance as a key player.
Despite the early stage of the season, Leslie's impact on the court has been undeniable. In a recent game against Northside W, he scored 11 points, secured 5 rebounds, and provided 2 assists, playing a crucial role in his team's victory. With an average of 6.5 points per game and 5.0 rebounds per game this season, Leslie continues to prove himself as a champion player with the ability to make significant contributions to his team's success.
#3. In a remarkable display of skill and teamwork, Japanese champion Daichi Taniguchi, a 6'7'' forward/center aged 36, who graduated from SE Oklahoma in 2015 and currently plays professionally in Japan, played a pivotal role in guiding Gunma Crane Thunders to a resounding victory over the fifth-ranked Sapporo team in the Japanese B1 League. The game ended with a decisive score of 105-65 in favor of Gunma Crane Thunders, with Taniguchi contributing 4 points during his 3 minutes on the court.
This victory marked Gunma Crane Thunders' third consecutive win, further solidifying their position as finalists in the East group with a record of 40-18. With only two games remaining in the Regular Season, each upcoming match becomes increasingly crucial for the team's standing. Despite this being Taniguchi's first season with Gunma Crane Thunders, his impact has been substantial, as evidenced by his recent performance against Hokkaido L., where his 4 points helped secure another important victory for the team, reinforcing his status as a champion.
Throughout the season, Taniguchi has maintained an average of 2.5 points per game, showcasing his consistent contribution to the team's success. As the season progresses towards its climax, all eyes will be on Taniguchi and Gunma Crane Thunders as they strive to maintain their momentum and pursue further victories on their path to potential glory as champions in the Japanese B1 League.
Other former Southeastern Oklahoma State University players, who play in pro basketball:
Anton Cook (6'3''-G-1995, played in 2013-17) plays for Instituto in Argentinian La Liga
Kevin Buckingham (6'6''-F-1997, played in 2016-20) plays for BG Goettingen in German ProA
Jett Sternberger (6'1''-G, played in 2021-24) plays for Basket Zivinice in Bosnia and Herzegovina Division I
Notice: The list above includes only some of alumni playing currently in pro basketball. Check complete list of Southeastern Oklahoma State University basketball alumni.
Urald King is last week best Savage Storm alumni, who plays professional basketball (Photo: @bakkenbears)
