Courtesy of Eurobasket LLC Every week we bring you a list of the top former Billikens players who continue their career in pro basketball.
#1. In a thrilling match in the Uruguayan Liga Uruguaya de Basquetbol, Dominican Republic's Luis Santos, a 31-year-old center standing at 6'8'', showcased his skills and led Atletico Aguada Montevideo to a significant victory over the second-ranked Nacional. Santos, a St. Louis graduate from 2018 who currently plays professionally in Uruguay, displayed an outstanding performance during the game on Monday night. He contributed 15 points, 8 rebounds, and an impressive 5 blocks in just 25 minutes of play. This game, which was a highly anticipated showdown between two top 3 ranked teams in group Places 1-6, saw Aguada emerge as the champion. The victory was crucial for Santos' team as it marked their first win after enduring three consecutive losses. Santos' remarkable performance, scoring 15 points and securing 8 rebounds, played a pivotal role in his team's success on the court. Throughout this season, Santos has maintained solid statistics, averaging 12.9 points per game, 8.1 rebounds per game, and leading the league with 1.7 blocks per game in the 27 games he has participated in so far. His exceptional contributions and leadership have been instrumental in Atletico Aguada Montevideo's journey towards becoming a finalist in the league.
#2. Javon Bess, a 6'6'' power forward and 30-year-old alum of the Billikens from 2019, is currently playing professionally in Bosnia. Recently, he showcased his skills by leading Igokea to a decisive 107-87 victory over the league leader Siroki, who had an impressive record of 24-6. This game took place in the Bosnia and Herzegovina Division I on Saturday night, where Bess was named the MVP for his outstanding performance. In his debut game for Igokea this season, Bess put up an impressive display by scoring 19 points in just 22 minutes of play. This matchup was highly anticipated as it featured two of the top three ranked teams in group x, with Bess's team currently occupying the second position in the standings. During the game, Bess not only scored 19 points but also contributed by grabbing 3 rebounds and providing 1 assist against Siroki. His stellar performance was instrumental in securing the victory for his team, further cementing his reputation as a champion in the sport.
#3. German basketball champion, Marten Linssen, standing at an impressive 6'8'', is a 27-year-old forward who graduated from St. Louis in 2022 and currently plays professionally in Germany. Recently, Linssen showcased his skills for VET-CONCEPT Gladiators Trier but unfortunately could not lead his team to victory against the formidable Bayern Muenchen, who hold the top position with a record of 29-5 in the German easyCredit BBL. Despite the team's 92-65 loss on the road, Linssen displayed his prowess by scoring 7 points, grabbing 3 rebounds, and dishing out 2 assists in 24 minutes of play. This game marked VET-CONCEPT Gladiators Trier's fifth consecutive loss, a challenging streak for the team. Linssen's overall performance this season has been commendable, averaging 10.3 points per game and 3.9 rebounds per game in the 39 games he has played thus far. Despite the setback against Bayern Muenchen, Linssen's consistent contributions on the court position him as a valuable asset for his team as they continue to strive for success in the league.
#4. Experienced champion Willie Reed, a 6'11'' center/forward at 36 years old and a Billikens alumnus from 2011 who currently plays professionally in Venezuela, made a significant impact in Cocodrilos' thrilling 80-77 victory over the seventh-ranked Pioneros in a highly anticipated derby match in the Venezuelan Superliga Profesional de Baloncesto. In this exciting Thursday night game, he showcased his prowess by contributing 6 points and 3 crucial blocks in just 18 minutes of play. Cocodrilos de Caracas, currently holding the second position in the league with a record of 19-5, benefitted greatly from Reed's performance against the Pioneros. In addition to his scoring and defensive efforts, he also grabbed 3 rebounds and provided 1 assist, playing an instrumental role in leading his team to a hard-fought victory. His exceptional skills and leadership qualities were on full display, proving his worth as a true champion on the court. Throughout the season, Reed has maintained solid averages of 6.3 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 1.7 blocks per game in the three appearances he has made so far. His consistent contributions and standout performances undoubtedly highlight his value as a key player for Cocodrilos, further solidifying his reputation as a respected finalist in the league.
#5. Michael Meadows Jr., a 6'2'' guard who graduated from St. Louis in 2024 and currently plays professionally in Australia, recently faced a tough match with the Dandenong Rangers. Despite his solid performance, the team, currently in sixth place with an 8-5 record, suffered a 79-94 defeat against the lower-ranked Thunder (#9) in the South group in Melbourne. In the game, Meadows Jr. contributed 10 points, 7 rebounds, and 5 assists during his 40 minutes on the court. This loss marked the end of Dandenong Rangers' three-game winning streak. In a previous game against Keilor T., Meadows Jr. showcased his skills by scoring 10 points, grabbing 7 rebounds, and providing 5 assists. However, despite his impressive individual display, his team was unable to secure a victory. Throughout this season, Meadows Jr. has been averaging 7.1 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 3.0 assists per game in the 13 games he has played so far.
#6. Puerto Rican Ruben Cotto, a 6'0'' guard and a 37-year-old former Billikens alumnus from 2009 who currently plays professionally in Puerto Rico, recently faced a tough challenge with his team, the Indios de Mayaguez, against the Osos. Despite his efforts, Cotto was unable to lead his team to victory in a recent game on Tuesday, which was not one of his standout performances. During this game, Cotto managed to contribute 3 points in just 7 minutes of play, as his team ultimately fell short with a final score of 92-106. In a previous game against Manati, Cotto displayed his skills as a finalist player by scoring 3 points, showcasing his prowess on the court. However, despite his individual performance, his team was unable to secure the win. Throughout this year, Cotto has maintained an average of 2.1 points per game over 19 games, demonstrating his consistent contribution to the team.
#7. New Zealand's champion, Robert Loe, a 34-year-old forward/center standing at 6'11'', graduated from St. Louis in 2014 after helping them secure the Atlantic 10 Regular Season Champion title that year. Currently playing professionally in New Zealand, he recently led Auckland Tuatara to a resounding victory over one of the league's weaker teams, Tauranga, with a dominating score of 96-71 in the New Zealand National Basketball League during Saturday night's game. Loe showcased his prowess by achieving a double-double, scoring 11 points, grabbing 12 rebounds, and also contributing 9 assists in just 29 minutes of play. His exceptional performance against Tauranga earned him recognition for his all-around skills, securing him the Triple-Double Badge from eurobasket.com. This remarkable display not only highlighted his individual talents but also showcased his ability to lead his team to victory, further cementing his reputation as a finalist player. Throughout the season, Loe has maintained impressive statistics, averaging 13.7 points, 8.9 rebounds, 5.1 assists, and 1.1 steals per game across nine games. His consistent performance on the court continues to demonstrate why he is recognized as a champion player in the league.
Other former Saint Louis University players, who play in pro basketball:
Jake Forrester (6'9''-F-1999, played in 2022-23) plays for Aris in Greek GBL
Jordan Goodwin (6'3''-G-1998, played in 2017-21) plays for Phoenix Suns in the NBA
Francis Okoro (6'9''-C/F-1999, played in 2023-24) plays for Karditsas in Greek GBL
Isaiah Swope (5'10''-PG-2003, played in 2024-25) plays for Fraport Skyliners Frankfurt in German BBL
Yuri Collins (6'0''-PG-2001, played in 2024-24) plays for Ironi Hai Motors Nes-Ziona in Israeli Winner League
Dwayne Evans (6'7''-F-1992, played in 2010-14) plays for Hiroshima Dragonflies in Japanese B1 League
Terrence Hargrove (6'6''-F-2001, played in 2019-24) plays for Grand Rapids Gold in the NBA G League
Tim Dalger (6'7''-F-2000, played in 2023-24) plays for Aomori Watts in Japanese B2 League
DeAndre Jones (5'11''-PG-1998, played in 2021-22) plays for Portimonense in Portuguese Proliga
Cody Ellis (6'8''-F-1990, played in 2009-13) plays for Warwick Senators in Australian NBL One
D.J. Foreman (6'8''-G/F-1994, played in 2016-16) plays for Caceres in Spanish Segunda FEB
Ingvi Gudmundsson (6'5''-SG-1998, played in 2015-19) plays for Armann in Icelandic Subway League
Reggie Agbeko (6'8''-F/C-1992, played in 2013-17) plays for Benidorm in Spanish Tercera FEB
Markos Psimitis (6'5''-G-1995, played in 2015-18) played for Holargos in Greek National League 1 few monts ago
Hasahn French (6'7''-F-1998, played in 2017-21) plays for Shandong in Chinese NBL
Gibson Jimerson (6'5''-G-1999, played in 2019-25) played for DaGuys STL in the The Basketball Tournament last year
Adonys Henriquez (6'7''-G-1994, played in 2016-16) plays for Spartans in Venezuelan SPB
Notice: The list above includes only some of alumni playing currently in pro basketball. Check complete list of Saint Louis University basketball alumni.
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Ex-Players
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