Courtesy of Eurobasket LLC We bring you last week's top former Spartans players who are currently playing in pro basketball.
Especially interesting is good performance of Justin Reyes (23 points), Grant Singleton (14 points), and Demetre Roberts (16 points).
#1. Dominican Republic's Justin Reyes, a 6'4'' forward aged 31, graduated from STAC in 2018 and received the All-ECC All-Tournament MVP award that same year. Currently playing professionally in Puerto Rico, he recently showcased his skills as a key contributor in a thrilling victory for the Capitanes de Arecibo. In a close 101-99 win against the fourth-ranked Indios, Reyes demonstrated his prowess by scoring 23 points, securing 7 rebounds, and making 2 blocks, all within just 20 minutes of play. The Capitanes de Arecibo, holding a solid second place in Group A with a record of 12-4, have been on a winning streak, with this victory marking their fourth consecutive triumph. Reyes continued his stellar performance in another game against Mayaguez, where he not only scored an impressive 23 points and grabbed 7 rebounds but also provided 2 assists, guiding his team to another victory. His exceptional play truly exemplified what it means to be a champion. Throughout this season, Reyes has maintained strong statistics, averaging 14.8 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 1.8 assists per game in the 13 games he has played so far. It is noteworthy that he holds dual citizenship in both the United States and the Dominican Republic, allowing him to be considered a domestic player when competing in the Dominican Republic. Reyes' talent and contributions on the court continue to solidify his status as a champion player.
#2. Grant Singleton, a 6'0'' point guard and 25-year-old Knights alumnus from 2023, transitioned to playing professionally in Bulgaria after his time at STAC from 2018 to 2022. In a recent game, although Singleton's performance was commendable, he was unable to prevent Lokomotiv Plovdiv from losing to Rilski with a score of 79-87 on the road. Despite the defeat, Singleton showcased his skills with 14 points, 5 rebounds, and 6 assists in just 22 minutes of play. This remarkable display is even more impressive considering it is only his third season in professional basketball. Throughout the season, Singleton has maintained high statistics, averaging 16.2 points, 3.7 rebounds, 5.9 assists, and 1.2 steals per game over 23 games. His consistent performance on the court highlights his potential as a rising star in the professional basketball scene.
#3. Demetre Roberts, a 26-year-old point guard standing at 5'8'' and a graduate of FDU in 2023, has been making a name for himself in the professional basketball scene. Despite his earlier stint with STAC from 2018 to 2022, where he earned the All-ECC All-Tournament MVP award, he is now showcasing his skills playing professionally in Israel. In a recent game, Roberts, in his first season with Ramat Hasharon, faced a tough challenge against the third-ranked team, I.Nahariya. Even though he put up an impressive performance by scoring 16 points, grabbing 3 rebounds, and dishing out 3 assists in just 26 minutes of play, his team suffered a heavy defeat with a final score of 107-87. Despite the loss, Roberts proved to be a standout player, leading his team in scoring. Throughout the season, Roberts has been delivering outstanding performances, averaging 19.0 points, 2.1 rebounds, 7.5 assists (ranking third in the league), and 1.1 steals per game across 32 games. His remarkable stats reflect his growing influence and impact on the court as he continues to evolve in his third season of professional basketball.
#4. Jamie Blanchard, a 6'6'' forward and Spartans alumnus from 2011 currently playing professionally in Australia, demonstrated his prowess on the court by aiding the Pakenham Warriors in a decisive victory over the Devils, with a resounding score of 92-72 in the Australian Big V Conference, which is the third division of the league. Despite scoring only 4 points, Blanchard managed 4 rebounds and 3 assists in his 30 minutes of play. The Pakenham Warriors, currently standing at 4-2, hold the third position in the league standings. Blanchard's stellar performance helped secure his team's third consecutive win. However, the season is still in its early stages, leaving room for unexpected outcomes. In another game against Wyndham, Blanchard once again showcased his skills by contributing 4 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 assists, proving instrumental in ensuring victory for his team. His valuable contributions on the court propelled his team to emerge as the finalist. Throughout this season, Blanchard has maintained an average of 7.8 points per game, along with 4.2 rebounds, 3.3 assists, and 1.2 steals per game over the course of six games.
#5. Sekou Cisse, a 6'5'' forward who graduated from STAC in 2020, has been making waves in the professional basketball scene in Spain. While playing for Sagrado Corazon, he showcased his skills by helping them win the ECC Tournament in 2020. Recently, Cisse faced a tough opponent in Jaen FS in the Spanish Tercera FEB league. Despite his valiant efforts, recording 4 points, 4 rebounds, and 4 assists in 18 minutes, Sagrado Corazon fell short with a final score of 97-70 in favor of Jaen FS, who are ranked second in Group D-B. Cisse's individual performance has been outstanding throughout the season, maintaining high averages of 15.5 points, 7.3 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and 1.6 steals per game in 24 appearances. His remarkable contributions on the court have not gone unnoticed, solidifying his reputation as a talented player. It is worth noting that Cisse is a naturalized American, adding to his unique background in the world of basketball.
Other former St. Thomas Aquinas College players, who play in pro basketball:
Luis Risquez (6'9''-F-2000, played in 2020-25) plays for Trotamundos in Venezuelan SPB
Vasileios Tolias (6'6''-G-2002, played in 2020-24) plays for Lavrio in Greek Elite League
Osbel Caraballo (6'5''-F-1998, played in 2018-22) plays for Marinos in Venezuelan SPB
Irin Stark (6'1''-G-1989, played in 2008-12) plays for La Union in Chilean LNB2
Omar Kellman (6'6''-G-1992, played in 2010-14) plays for Crotona Hawks in the MBL
Kclejuan Brown (6'4''-G, played in 2020-21) played for Kriol Star in Cape Verdean Praia League few monts ago
Kadeem King (6'0''-F, played in 2007-11) played for Rockland Kings in the MBL last year
Notice: The list above includes only some of alumni playing currently in pro basketball. Check complete list of St. Thomas Aquinas College basketball alumni.
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