Courtesy of Eurobasket LLC Here is the weekly review of the top performing Norse alumni, who are currently playing in pro basketball.
Especially interesting is good performance of Jalen Tate (8 points), Fiston Ipassou (0 points), and Chris Brandon (2 points).
#1. Jalen Tate, a 6'6'' guard who is 27 years old, graduated from Arkansas in 2021 but previously played for NKU from 2016 to 2020. During his time at NKU, Tate received the All-Horizon League Defensive Player of the Year award. Currently, he is playing professionally in Spain. In a recent game, Tate's team Gipuzkoa, with a record of 19-13, faced off against Oviedo, also with a record of 19-13, in the Spanish Primera FEB (second division). Despite Tate's contributions of 8 points and 3 assists in 24 minutes of play, Gipuzkoa was defeated 82-75 on the road by Oviedo, who is ranked #5 in the league. This season marks Tate's first with the team in Spain, and he has been displaying solid performance with an average of 12.4 points, 2.4 rebounds, and 3.9 assists per game. Although he showcased his skills during the game against Oviedo, scoring 8 points and providing 3 assists, his team ultimately fell short of securing the victory.
#2. Australian Fiston Ipassou, a 22-year-old guard standing at 6'5'' and an alumnus of Norse from 2024, played a pivotal role in helping his team clinch the Australian NBL1 Central Champion title that year. Currently playing professionally in Australia, he recently contributed significantly to the Forestville Eagles' triumph over the seventh-ranked Eastern Mavericks with a score of 99-91 in the Australian NBL One, the second division league, on a Saturday night. In this game, Ipassou showcased his talent by scoring 9 points, grabbing 5 rebounds, and providing 2 assists in just 19 minutes on the court. The Forestville Eagles, with a record of 9-1, hold the second position in the Central group standings, and they achieved their sixth consecutive victory with Ipassou's impressive performance. His notable statistics this season include averaging 8.3 points per game, 4.5 rebounds per game, and 1.4 steals per game. Ipassou's exceptional skills and contributions have undoubtedly proven him to be a champion both on and off the court.
#3. Chris Brandon, a standout 6'8'' forward who graduated from NKU in 2023, showcased his talent by helping his college team clinch the Horizon League Tournament championship that year. Transitioning to professional basketball in Australia, Brandon currently plays for the Ringwood Hawks. In a recent game against the 19th-ranked Miners, Brandon contributed to the team's close 93-91 victory with a modest 2 points in just 4 minutes on the court. Despite his limited playing time, Brandon's impact was evident as the Ringwood Hawks secured the win. With a season average of 10.0 points, 6.2 rebounds, 1.1 assists, and 1.3 blocks per game, Brandon continues to make significant contributions to his team's success. Notably, he also played in the Eurobasket Summer League, a prestigious platform for players aspiring to compete professionally overseas.
#4. Josh Dilling, a 6'4'' guard and 24-year-old Norse alumnus from 2025, is currently playing professionally in New Zealand after receiving the Horizon League All-Sportsmanship Team award. Recently, he showcased his exceptional skills by leading Auckland Tuatara to a dominant 96-71 victory over the Tauranga team, one of the league's weakest opponents, in the New Zealand National Basketball League. Dilling's stellar performance earned him the MVP title of the game, as he scored an impressive 20 points and contributed 6 assists in just 30 minutes of play. This remarkable display is particularly noteworthy as it is only Dilling's first season in professional basketball. Auckland Tuatara, now with a record of 7-2, holds the third position in the league standings. In another game against Whai, Dilling once again proved his worth on the court by scoring 20 points, grabbing 1 rebound, and providing 6 assists, leading his team to a victorious outcome. His consistent and outstanding performances have cemented his reputation as a true champion. In terms of individual season statistics, Dilling maintains an impressive average of 16.9 points per game, 2.9 rebounds per game, and 6.7 assists per game, showcasing his significant impact on the team's success.
#5. New Zealand champion Kael Robinson, a 23-year-old forward standing at 6'7'' who graduated from NKU in 2026 and currently plays professionally in New Zealand, made a significant impact in the recent game against the league underdogs, the Hawks, leading his team to a decisive 98-82 victory. Robinson displayed his prowess on the court by scoring 10 points, grabbing 9 rebounds, and contributing 1 assist during his 36 minutes of play. His stellar performance was instrumental in securing the win for his team, highlighting his skills as a true champion. The Franklin Bulls, currently placed sixth in the league with a record of 4-5, benefited greatly from Robinson's impressive display against the Hawks. With an average of 12.6 points per game, 6.9 rebounds per game, 1.3 assists per game, and 1.4 steals per game this season, Robinson has consistently showcased his talent and versatility as a top-tier finalist in the New Zealand National Basketball League.
#6. Marques Warrick, a 6'3'' guard and 24-year-old Tigers alumnus from 2025, previously played for NKU between 2020 and 2024 before embarking on his professional career in Israel. Recently, he showcased his talent by contributing significantly to an impressive victory over the sixth-ranked Maccabi Ma'ale Adumim, with a final score of 96-73 in the Israeli National League (second division) on Sunday night. In this game, Warrick displayed his skills by scoring 10 points and making 3 assists in just 18 minutes of play. His standout moment came when he scored a crucial goal against Maccabi Ma'ale Adumim, earning 10 points and providing 3 assists that ultimately led his team to victory. This exceptional performance not only helped secure the win but also highlighted his capabilities as a champion. Throughout the season, Warrick has maintained an impressive individual record, boasting averages of 19.9 points per game, 3.3 rebounds per game, 2.8 assists per game, and 1.7 steals per game. His consistent high-level performance on the court further solidifies his reputation as a finalist.
Other former Northern Kentucky University players, who play in pro basketball:
Adrian Nelson (6'8''-PF-1999, played in 2018-22) plays for JL Bourg en Bresse in French Betclic ELITE ProA
Trey Robinson (6'6''-G-2002, played in 2020-25) plays for Lefkadas in Greek Elite League
Michael Bradley (6'1''-PG-2000, played in 2023-24) plays for Queluz in Portuguese Liga Betclic
Sam Vinson (6'5''-G-2002, played in 2021-25) plays for Goldfields Giants in Australian NBL One
LaVone Holland II (6'3''-G-1994, played in 2015-18) plays for Nakhchivan in Azerbaijani ABL
Trevon Faulkner (6'4''-G-2000, played in 2018-23) plays for Mulhouse in French NM1
Xavier Rhodes (6'1''-G-2000, played in 2022-23) plays for Gence in Azerbaijani ABL
Notice: The list above includes only some of alumni playing currently in pro basketball. Check complete list of Northern Kentucky University basketball alumni.
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Ex-Players
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