POSTED BY: Eurobasket News
EuroBasket Pro Bears Weekly Update
Courtesy of Eurobasket LLC
We bring you last week's top former Bears players who are currently playing in pro basketball.
#1. Amir Hinton, a 6'5'' guard aged 29, who graduated from Shaw in 2019 and received the All-CIAA Player of the Year award that same year, currently plays professionally in Germany. In a recent game, despite his strong performance, Hinton couldn't lead the Artland Dragons to victory as they narrowly lost 74-78 on the road to the higher-ranked (#4) Eisbaeren Bremerhaven. Hinton showcased his skills by contributing 22 points and 4 rebounds in 32 minutes of play, making him the second-highest scorer for his team.
In the match against Bremerhaven, Hinton displayed an impressive performance by scoring 22 points, collecting 4 rebounds, and providing 2 assists. Despite his noteworthy contributions, his team ended up as the runner-up in the game. Throughout the season, Hinton has maintained exceptional individual statistics, leading the league with an average of 20.3 points per game, along with 4.6 rebounds, 2.6 assists, and 1.4 steals per game in the 34 games he has participated in so far.
It is worth noting that Hinton is a naturalized American player who has been showcasing his talent and making significant contributions to his team despite the recent loss in the match against Eisbaeren Bremerhaven.
#2. Shamon Jackson, a towering 6'9'' forward and Bears alumnus from the class of 2026, is currently making waves in the professional basketball scene, playing for a team in the ECBL. In a recent game, Jackson led the North Carolina Coyotes to a commendable victory over the Goldsboro Wings with a final score of 128-117. Despite the Goldsboro Wings' record of 3-7, Jackson's stellar performance shone through as he scored 21 points and secured 6 rebounds, showcasing his skills on the court. This impressive display is particularly notable considering it is only his first season in professional basketball.
The North Carolina Coyotes, with a somewhat lackluster season record of 3-6, were able to secure their first win in a while, breaking a streak of five consecutive losses thanks to Jackson's standout performance. His noteworthy contributions of 21 points, 6 rebounds, and 1 assist against the Goldsboro Wings were instrumental in guiding his team to victory, highlighting his capabilities as a champion player.
Individually, Jackson has been having a remarkable season, boasting impressive statistics across the board. He maintains an average of 15.8 points per game, 10.8 rebounds per game, 2.2 assists per game, 1.8 blocks per game, and 1.2 steals per game in the five games he has participated in so far. Jackson's consistent and high-level performance underscores his potential as a finalist in the making.
#3. Experienced Dominican Republic player Robert Espinosa, standing at 6'7" and 40 years old, graduated from Shaw in 2008 and currently plays professionally in the East Coast Basketball League (ECBL). In a recent game, he teamed up with Shamon Jackson, as both players showcased their skills on the court for the North Carolina Coyotes. Together, they secured a victory against the Goldsboro Wings with a score of 128-117.
Espinosa's performance was particularly noteworthy, as he contributed significantly to the team's success by scoring 15 points, grabbing 7 rebounds, and providing 1 assist against the Goldsboro Wings. His impressive display exemplified his skills and leadership, highlighting why he is a champion in the sport.
Throughout the season, Espinosa has maintained solid statistics, averaging 14.5 points per game and 8.5 rebounds per game in the two games he has played so far. It is also interesting to note that he holds dual citizenship in both the United States and the Dominican Republic, allowing him to play as a domestic player in the Dominican Republic if desired.
#4. Justus Baldwin, a 5'10'' point guard and Bears alumnus from 2023, is currently playing professionally in the East Coast Basketball League (ECBL). In the recent game, he unfortunately could not lead the North Carolina Capitals to victory. Despite his solid performance, scoring 10 points, the NC Capitals (#2) suffered a 108-119 defeat to the Cavaliers in Petersburg.
This loss marked the Capitals' fifth consecutive defeat in a row, putting them in a challenging position as they head towards the end of the regular season. With only one more game left in the ECBL Regular Season, the upcoming match will be crucial for the team's standings.
Baldwin showcased his skills in the game by scoring 10 points, grabbing 1 rebound, and providing 1 assist against Petersburg. His overall performance throughout the season has been noteworthy, averaging 12.0 points, 5.3 rebounds, 2.8 assists, and 1.8 steals per game in 11 appearances. Despite the team's recent struggles, Baldwin's consistent contributions on the court have been commendable.
#5. Jeremiah Pope, a 6'5'' guard who graduated from Shaw in 2023, is a standout player who has made a name for himself in the world of basketball. His talent was recognized when he received the Eurobasket Summer League in Atlanta All-Tournament Second Team award in the same year he graduated. Currently, he is showcasing his skills in the TBL as a professional player.
In a recent game between the Raleigh Firebirds and the Fayetteville Liberty, Pope, despite his best efforts, could not lead his team to victory. The Firebirds suffered their first loss after a remarkable streak of six consecutive wins, falling to the Liberty with a final score of 104-115. Pope's individual performance was noteworthy, contributing 7 points, 2 rebounds, and 1 assist during the game.
Throughout the season, Pope has been a consistent performer, averaging 8.6 points per game and 1.4 assists in the 11 games he has played so far. His dedication to the sport and impressive skills have been honed through experiences like participating in the Eurobasket Summer League, which ultimately paved the way for his professional basketball career.
Other former Shaw University players, who play in pro basketball:
Jermaine Vereen (6'9''-F, played in 2023-25) plays for Skallagrimur in Icelandic Division I
Trenton McIntyre (6'5''-G, played in 2023-25) played for Georgia Spartans in the UBA few monts ago
Davon Dillard (6'5''-SG-1996, played in 2018-19) played for Saigon Heat in Vietnamese VBA last year
Marqui Bunn (5'9''-G, played in 2007-11) played for North Carolina Coyotes in the ECBL last year
Akeem Echols (6'5''-F-1993, played in 2012-16) played for Texas Nighthawks in the ABA last year
Antonio Warner (6'0''-PG, played in 2022-23) plays for Park City Dreamers in the ECBL
Brandon Greene (6'6''-F, played in 2004-08) played for Las Vegas Royals in the ABA last year
Jamari Roberts (6'10''-C, played in 2022-24) plays for Queen City Vipers in the ECBL
Notice: The list above includes only some of alumni playing currently in pro basketball. Check complete list of Shaw University basketball alumni.
Amir Hinton is last week best Bears alumni, who plays professional basketball (Photo: @basketsjena)
