Courtesy of Eurobasket LLC Here is the weekly review of the top performing Bulldogs alumni, who are currently playing in pro basketball.
Especially interesting is good performance of Kelan Martin (23 points), Bryce Nze (21 points), and Paul Jorgensen (12 points).
#1. Kelan Martin, a 30-year-old 6'7'' small forward who graduated from Butler University in 2018 and received the USBWA All-District V Team award that year, currently plays professionally in Spain. Recently, he led Universidad Catolica de Murcia CB to a remarkable 100-90 victory over the 15th-ranked Zaragoza in the Spanish Liga Endesa. His exceptional performance earned him the MVP title of the game after scoring 23 points in just 20 minutes of play. Universidad Catolica de Murcia CB, with a record of 25-9, currently holds the third position in the league standings, thanks in part to Martin's contributions. This victory marked his team's third consecutive win, showcasing their strong form as they head into the next phase of competition. With the Regular Season already concluded, Martin's leadership and scoring prowess have been crucial in securing victories for his team. In the game against Zaragoza, Martin not only scored an impressive 23 points but also contributed 2 rebounds and 1 assist, displaying his versatility on the court. His consistent performance throughout the season, where he averages 9.5 points and 2.1 rebounds per game in the 19 games played so far, highlights why he is considered a champion in the world of basketball.
#2. Bryce Nze, a 28-year-old power forward standing at 6'8'' and a proud Bulldogs alumnus from 2022, currently playing professionally in France, demonstrated his leadership skills by guiding Elan Bearnais Pau-Lacq-Orthez to a thrilling 89-87 victory over the tenth-ranked Champagne team in the French ELITE 2 league last Monday. In a game where every point mattered, Nze's stellar performance was instrumental in securing the win for his team. Nze's remarkable double-double of 21 points and 14 rebounds in just 33 minutes of play not only earned him the title of the game's Most Valuable Player but also showcased his exceptional talent and determination on the court. His crucial 1 assist further highlighted his versatility and ability to impact the game in various ways, solidifying his reputation as a rising star in the league. With this victory, Elan Bearnais Pau-Lacq-Orthez extended their winning streak to three consecutive games, positioning themselves impressively in second place in the league standings with a record of 26-12. Nze's consistent contributions throughout the season, averaging 11.4 points, 7.4 rebounds (ranking fourth in the league), and 2.6 assists per game in 40 appearances, underscore his importance to the team's success. Notably, Nze, a naturalized Nigerian player, received the prestigious Triple-Double Badge from eurobasket.com for his outstanding performance against Champagne, further validating his status as a champion in the making. His dedication, skill set, and impressive statistics exemplify why he is a standout finalist in the league, destined for greater achievements in his basketball career.
#3. Italian Paul Jorgensen, a 6'2'' guard aged 29, graduated from Butler in 2019 and received the All-Big East Sixth Man of the Year award. Currently playing professionally in Spain, he recently led Coruna to a significant victory against the eighth-ranked Menorca, with a score of 87-76 in the Spanish Primera FEB (second division) last Sunday. Jorgensen contributed 12 points and 3 assists in just 22 minutes of play. His team, Leyma Basquet Coruna, boasting a record of 28-4, holds the second position in the league standings. The recent win against Menorca marked their third consecutive victory. This season marks Jorgensen's debut with the team, and his performance has been noteworthy, with an average of 12.1 points, 2.7 rebounds, and 2.0 assists per game in 36 appearances. Jorgensen, a naturalized American, showcased his skills by scoring 12 points, grabbing 3 rebounds, and providing 3 assists in the crucial match against Menorca. His stellar performance undoubtedly played a pivotal role in helping his team secure the victory and emerge as the champion.
#4. Jalen Thomas, a 6'10'' forward/center and Bulldogs alumnus from 2024, showcased his skills in the Dutch Basketball League last Friday as he led Zwolle to a 72-57 victory over Den Bosch. The 25-year-old pro player, currently competing in Holland, delivered an outstanding performance that earned him the title of MVP of the game. In an impressive display, Thomas recorded a double-double with 15 points and 11 rebounds in just 34 minutes of play, highlighting his talent and impact on the court. This remarkable feat is even more commendable considering it is only his second season in professional basketball. The match between Zwolle and Den Bosch was highly anticipated, featuring two top 4 ranked teams in the league. As a key player for Landstede Hammers Zwolle, Thomas proved his worth by leading his team to victory in a crucial game that showcased his abilities as a champion player. This victory marked a significant moment for Thomas, who is in his first year with the team and is already making a significant impact on their performance. Thomas' exceptional performance did not go unnoticed, as he was awarded the Triple-Double Badge from eurobasket.com, further solidifying his reputation as a standout player in the league. With impressive statistics this season, averaging 15.0 points per game and 9.2 rebounds per game (the second best in the league) across six games, Thomas continues to prove himself as a formidable force on the court, showcasing his dedication and talent as a finalist player in the Dutch Basketball League.
Other former Butler University players, who play in pro basketball:
Kamar Baldwin (6'0''-G-1997, played in 2016-20) plays for FC Bayern Muenchen Basketball in German BBL
Jahmyl Telfort (6'7''-F-2001, played in 2023-25) plays for Los Angeles Clippers in the NBA
Jordan Tucker (6'7''-F-1998, played in 2018-23) plays for Promitheas in Greek GBL
Patrick McCaffery (6'9''-F-2000, played in 2024-25) plays for Valcea in Romanian Liga Nationala
Eric Hunter Jr. (6'4''-G-1999, played in 2022-23) played for Alkar in Croatian Premijer Liga few monts ago
Bryce Golden (6'9''-C-1999, played in 2018-22) played for Long Island Nets in the NBA G League last year
Tyler Wideman (6'8''-PF-1995, played in 2014-18) plays for Ashkelon in Israeli National League
Andre Screen (7'1''-C-2001, played in 2023-25) plays for HEFTE HELFEN Bulls Kapfenberg in Austrian BSL
Christian David (6'6''-F-1998, played in 2017-22) plays for Blackwater Bossing in Filipino PBA
Manny Bates (6'11''-C-2000, played in 2023-23) plays for Marineros in Dominican Rep. LNB
Pierre Brooks II (6'6''-F-2002, played in 2023-25) plays for Puglia in Italian Serie A2
Bo Hodges (6'5''-G/F-1998, played in 2020-22) plays for Uni Baskets Muenster in German ProA
Avery Woodson (6'2''-PG-1993, played in 2016-17) plays for Livorno Libertas in Italian Serie A2
Shelvin Mack (6'3''-PG-1990, played in 2008-11) played for All Good Dawgs - Butler Alumni in the The Basketball Tournament last year
Kethan Savage (6'3''-G-1993, played in 2015-15) played for DC Heat in the TBL last year
Sean McDermott (6'6''-SF-1996, played in 2015-15) plays for Valley Suns in the NBA G League
Notice: The list above includes only some of alumni playing currently in pro basketball. Check complete list of Butler University basketball alumni.
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Ex-Players
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