Courtesy of Eurobasket LLC Here is the weekly review of the top performing Bulldogs alumni, who are currently playing in pro basketball.
#1. Experienced champion Kenneth Smith, a 6'3'' point guard at 33 years old who graduated from La Tech in 2015 and received the All-C-USA Player of the Year award that year, currently plays professionally in Lithuania. In their recent game last Saturday, Smith was unable to lead Rytas (20-12) to victory as they suffered a 101-95 defeat at home to the lower-ranked Juventus (#7). Smith showcased his skills by being the top scorer of the game with 20 points, in addition to contributing 4 rebounds and 4 assists during his 30 minutes on the court. Despite his impressive individual performance against Juventus, where he scored 20 points, grabbed 4 rebounds, and provided 4 assists, his team was unable to secure the win. Throughout this season, Smith has been averaging 7.4 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 4.9 assists per game, ranking him as the fourth-best assist provider in the league.
#2. Kenneth Lofton Jr., a 6'7'' forward and 23-year-old Bulldogs alumni from 2022, excelling in the Chinese Basketball Association, currently playing professionally in China. Recently, he led the Shanghai Sharks to a commanding 99-85 victory over the closely-ranked Ducks with an outstanding performance. Lofton Jr. was named the MVP of the game after recording impressive stats of 20 points, 7 rebounds, 6 assists, and 2 blocks in just 29 minutes of play. This victory was particularly significant as it came against a top-ranked team, showcasing Lofton Jr.'s prowess on the court. The Shanghai Sharks, currently holding the top spot in the league with a record of 38-4, secured their ninth consecutive win, with Lofton Jr. playing a pivotal role in their success. In a recent game against Beijing D, Lofton Jr. once again demonstrated his skill and leadership, scoring 20 points, grabbing 7 rebounds, and facilitating 6 assists to help his team emerge victorious. With solid season averages of 13.1 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 3.6 assists per game, Lofton Jr. has been consistently delivering impressive performances, solidifying his reputation as a champion on the court.
#3. Cobe Williams, a 6'0'' point guard who is 25 years old, graduated from Tulsa in 2024 but played for La Tech from 2019 to 2023. He received the NABC Division I All-District 11 First Team award in his final year at La Tech. Currently, Williams is playing professionally in Germany and recently led his team, Bamberg Baskets, to a victory over the closely-ranked ratiopharm Ulm in the German easyCredit BBL. The game ended 96-87 in favor of Bamberg Baskets on a Saturday night. During the game, Williams showcased his skills by scoring 11 points, making 4 passes, and contributing 3 steals in 29 minutes of play. His performance was crucial in securing the win for his team. Bamberg Baskets, with a record of 24-10, currently holds the third position in the league standings. This victory marked the seventh consecutive win for Williams' team, highlighting their impressive form. This season marks Williams' first with Bamberg Baskets, and he has been making a significant impact on the team. Apart from his notable performance in the recent game against Ulm, Williams has been maintaining good statistics throughout the season, averaging 14.5 points, 2.3 rebounds, 4.0 assists, and 1.3 steals per game. With his valuable contributions, Williams has proven himself as a key player for Bamberg Baskets and helped them secure the champion title in the match against ratiopharm Ulm.
#4. Tahlik Chavez, a 6'2'' guard and 25-year-old Bulldogs alumni from the class of 2024, has been excelling as a professional basketball player in Poland. Recently, he played a crucial role in his team's dominant 88-73 victory over the closely-ranked Trefl team in the Polish Orlen Basket Liga. Despite playing for Dziki Warszawa, who are currently fifth in the league with an 18-12 record, Chavez's contribution was instrumental in securing their fifth consecutive win. In the game against Trefl, Chavez displayed his skills by scoring 8 points, grabbing 3 rebounds, and distributing 3 assists in just 21 minutes of play. His impressive performance on the court not only helped his team emerge victorious but also solidified his reputation as a champion. This season, Chavez has been maintaining solid statistics with an average of 11.7 points, 1.9 rebounds, and 2.7 assists per game, further establishing himself as a key player in his team's success.
#5. Alex Hamilton, a 6'4'' point guard who graduated from La Tech in 2016 and received the All-C-USA Player of the Year award that year, currently plays professionally in Puerto Rico. Recently, he played a pivotal role in helping Atleticos de San German emerge victorious against the fifth-ranked Leones with a score of 84-68 in the Puerto Rican Baloncesto Superior Nacional. In this game, Hamilton contributed 5 points in 33 minutes of play. Atleticos de San German, with a record of 15-7, holds the top position in Group A, largely due to Hamilton's skills and leadership on the court. In a standout performance against Ponce, he not only scored 5 points but also secured 3 rebounds and provided 2 assists, crucial in securing another win for his team. His all-around contributions were instrumental in guiding his team to success, solidifying his position as the champion of the game. Throughout the season, Hamilton has maintained strong statistics, averaging 12.8 points, 4.5 rebounds, 4.8 assists, and 1.2 steals per game. His consistent performance and impact on the team have undoubtedly played a significant role in Atleticos de San German's success, making him a key player and a finalist in the league.
#6. Amorie Archibald, a 6'4'' guard who is 26 years old and an alumnus of the Bulldogs from 2022, played a crucial role in taking his team to the final of the C-USA Tournament in that year. Currently, he is showcasing his skills as a professional player in Venezuela. In a recent game, Archibald was the standout performer in Brillantes' unexpected 82-80 victory over the league-leading Gaiteros in the Venezuelan Superliga Profesional de Baloncesto. Notably, he was named the MVP of the game for his exceptional performance. During the match, Archibald demonstrated his prowess by scoring 18 points, securing 4 rebounds, and providing 5 assists in the 38 minutes he played. His remarkable display of skills aided his team in defeating Gaiteros and clinching the championship. Throughout the season, Archibald has maintained solid statistics, averaging 14.0 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 4.0 assists per game. His consistent performance and leadership on the court have been instrumental in helping his team succeed and emerge as the champion in crucial matchups.
#7. DaQuan Bracey, a 29-year-old point guard standing at 5'11'' who graduated from La Tech in 2020 and received the All-C-USA First Team award that year, currently plays professionally in Mexico. In a recent game, he played a pivotal role in Angeles de Ciudad de Mexico's victory over the Tijuana Zonkeys with a score of 96-91 in the Mexican Circuito de Baloncesto de la Costa del Pacifico. Bracey showcased his talent by scoring 10 points, securing 1 rebound, and providing 6 assists within just 16 minutes of play. This exceptional performance not only highlighted his skills but also significantly contributed to his team's success on the court. With an average of 10.3 points, 1.8 rebounds, and 3.5 assists per game this season, Bracey has proven himself as a champion player, consistently delivering strong performances for his team.
Other former Louisiana Tech University players, who play in pro basketball:
Isaiah Crawford (6'6''-F-2001, played in 2019-24) plays for Houston Rockets in the NBA
Michale Kyser (6'10''-C-1991, played in 2011-15) plays for EWE Baskets Oldenburg in German BBL
Trevor Gaskins (6'3''-PG-1989, played in 2011-12) plays for La Union in Argentinian La Liga
Erik McCree (6'8''-F-1993, played in 2013-13) plays for Minas Belo Horizonte in Brazilian NBB
Jaron Johnson (6'5''-SF-1992, played in 2012-14) plays for Onvo Buyukcekmece Basketbol in Turkish BSL
Kalob Ledoux (6'4''-G-1997, played in 2018-18) played for Halcones de Ciudad Obregon in Mexican CIBACOPA few monts ago
Daniel Batcho (6'11''-F-2002, played in 2023-25) plays for Salt Lake City Stars in the NBA G League
Jacobi Boykins (6'6''-F/G-1995, played in 2014-18) played for Titanes in Dominican Rep. LNB last year
Qyidar Davis (6'6''-F/G-1993, played in 2014-17) played for Correcaminos UAT Victoria in Mexican LNBP last year
Stojan Gjuroski (6'8''-F-1991, played in 2010-10) plays for Kumanovo MK in North Macedonian Super League
Dravon Mangum (6'8''-F-2000, played in 2022-24) plays for VfL SparkassenStars Bochum in German ProA
Stacey Thomas (6'8''-F-1998, played in 2018-22) played for BBG Herford in German Regionalliga last year
Marcus Elliott (6'3''-G-1984, played in 2005-07) played for ACES in Filipino TAT last year
Derric Jean (6'2''-G-1997, played in 2015-20) played for Freseros Irapuato in Mexican LNBP last year
Will Allen (6'7''-F-2001, played in 2021-26) plays for Kokomo Bobkats in the TBL
Drew Gordon (6'10''-C/F-1997, played in 2019-21) plays for 4 Bears Roar in the TBL
Tyler Henry (6'4''-G-2000, played in 2023-24) plays for Marsonia in Croatian Prva Liga
Paul Millsap (6'8''-F-1985, played in 2003-06) played for Dallas Power in the Big3 last year
Notice: The list above includes only some of alumni playing currently in pro basketball. Check complete list of Louisiana Tech University basketball alumni.
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