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 Nick McGlynn (16 points), Roman Penn (12 points), and Sardaar Calhoun (25 points).
#1. Nick McGlynn, a 6'9'' forward who graduated from Drake in 2019 and received the All-MVC Defensive Player of the Year award that same year, is currently playing professionally in Italy. In a recent game, despite his outstanding performance, McGlynn couldn't prevent Sassari (8-18) from a narrow 91-90 loss on the road against the higher-ranked (#8) Openjobmetis Varese. As the top scorer, he contributed 16 points and 5 rebounds in just 24 minutes of play. This defeat marked Sassari's fifth consecutive loss, emphasizing the importance of every remaining game in the Regular Season. This season marks McGlynn's debut with the team, and he showcased his skills against Varese by notching 16 points, securing 5 rebounds, and providing 1 assist. Despite his solid contributions, the team fell short in securing the victory. Throughout the season, McGlynn has maintained commendable statistics, averaging 11.1 points and 5.4 rebounds per game across 26 appearances. With only three games left in the Regular Season, each match becomes crucial for both McGlynn and Sassari as they strive for success.
#2. Roman Penn, a 6'0'' point guard and 28-year-old Bulldogs alumni from 2023, played a crucial role in helping his team win the MVC Tournament that year. Currently playing professionally in Romania, Penn recently couldn't assist Rapid (16-11) in their last game. Despite his strong performance, Rapid suffered a 93-97 loss against the higher-ranked (#4) Craiova on their home court. In the game, Penn showcased his skills by recording a double-double with 12 points and 10 assists in 31 minutes of play. This defeat marked Rapid's first loss after enjoying eight consecutive victories. With only one more game left in the Regular Season, Penn's team faces a critical match ahead. Even though Penn delivered an impressive performance against Craiova, contributing 12 points, 2 rebounds, and 10 assists, his team couldn't secure the win. Throughout the season, Penn has maintained solid statistics with an average of 14.2 points, 3.4 rebounds, 6.3 assists (the second-best in the league), and 1.3 steals per game in the 27 games he has played so far.
#3. Sardaar Calhoun, standing at 6'6'' and playing as a guard/forward, is a 26-year-old professional basketball player who graduated from Drake in 2023. His standout performance helped Drake to win the MVC Tournament in that same year. Currently playing professionally in Iceland, Calhoun competes for Breidablik and recently led them to a remarkable victory over the closely-ranked KV by a score of 96-87 in the Icelandic Division I, the second division of Icelandic basketball. In this game, Calhoun displayed his skills and was named the MVP after contributing 25 points, 9 rebounds, and 5 assists in 39 minutes of play. This exceptional performance is even more impressive considering that Calhoun is only in his third season of professional basketball. Breidablik Kopavogur, Calhoun's team, holds the fifth position in the league with a record of 15-7. Calhoun's impact on the team is evident as he delivered an outstanding performance against KV, scoring 25 points, securing 9 rebounds, and providing 5 assists to lead his team to victory as the champion. Individually, Calhoun is having an exceptional year with impressive statistics. He maintains an average of 22.3 points per game, 7.8 rebounds per game, and 3.3 assists per game in 24 games played so far this season. His consistent performance and leadership qualities make him a valuable asset to his team and a standout finalist in the league.
#4. Darnell Brodie, a towering 6'10'' forward and 27-year-old Bulldogs alum from 2024, showcased his skills in the British Super League Basketball as he currently plays professionally in the United Kingdom. In a recent game, Brodie played a crucial role for the Bristol Flyers, who emerged as the champion in a closely contested match against Manchester, with a final score of 83-80. Despite only scoring 3 points in 10 minutes of play, his contribution was instrumental in securing the victory for the team. Bristol Flyers, currently placed fifth in the league with a record of 13-16, had been facing a challenging season with six consecutive losses before this important win. Brodie's performance against Manchester not only helped break the losing streak but also highlighted the significance of every game as the Regular Season nears its end, with only three games remaining. With his consistent performance throughout the season, including averaging 8.0 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 1.1 assists per game in 29 appearances, Brodie has been a key player for the Bristol Flyers. His impact on the court was evident as he helped his team secure a crucial victory, positioning them well for the upcoming games and solidifying his position as a valuable champion in the league.
#5. Isaiah Jackson, a 24-year-old guard standing at 6'3" who graduated from Drake in 2025, is currently showcasing his talents as a professional basketball player in Albania. Recently, he played a crucial role in Apolonia's triumph over the closely-ranked Skenderbeu with a score of 84-76 in the Albanian Superliga, marking his team's fourth consecutive victory. In a remarkable display of skill and determination, Jackson achieved a triple-double by contributing 10 points, 12 rebounds, and 15 assists within 38 minutes of play. Apolonia Fier, currently placed fourth in the league with a record of 16-6, has undoubtedly benefited from Jackson's exceptional performance on the court. His stellar contributions not only secured the recent victory against Skenderbeu but also highlighted his prowess as a true champion. With impressive season statistics averaging 12.2 points, 6.0 rebounds, 6.7 assists (ranking fourth in the league), and 1.7 steals per game over 24 matches, Jackson continues to prove himself as a valuable asset to his team.
Other former Drake University players, who play in pro basketball:
Mitch Mascari (6'5''-G, played in 2024-25) plays for Sacramento Kings in the NBA
Gary Ricks-Mondragon (6'1''-G-1991, played in 2012-15) plays for Soles de Ojinaga in Mexican LBE
Ayo Akinwole (6'0''-PG-1998, played in 2023-24) plays for Getafe in Spanish Segunda FEB
Noah Thomas (6'2''-G-1998) played for Bruay in French Regional League few monts ago
T.J. Thomas (6'8''-F-1995, played in 2022-22) played for Contagem in Brazilian Liga Ouro last year
Notice: The list above includes only some of alumni playing currently in pro basketball. Check complete list of Drake University basketball alumni.
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Ex-Players
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