Courtesy of Eurobasket LLC We bring you last week's top former Bulldogs players who are currently playing in pro basketball.
#1. John Poulakidas, a 6'6'' guard who graduated from Yale in 2025, has been making waves in the NBA as a rising star. He recently led the Dallas Mavericks to a resounding victory over the Chicago Bulls with a score of 149-128, earning the title of MVP for the game. In this match, Poulakidas showcased his exceptional skills by scoring a remarkable 28 points and making 4 key assists in just 36 minutes of play. Despite it being his rookie season in professional basketball, Poulakidas proved himself to be a standout player on the court. With the Mavericks struggling with a 25-57 record this season, Poulakidas' stellar performance was a game-changer, breaking a three-game losing streak for his team. As they head towards their final game of the NBA Regular Season, Poulakidas' leadership and talent will be crucial for the team's success. Throughout the season, Poulakidas has maintained solid stats, averaging 8.8 points per game and 2.3 rebounds per game. His consistency and determination have positioned him as a true champion in the making, ready to take on any challenge that comes his way.
#2. Bez Mbeng, a 22-year-old guard standing at 6'4'' and an alumnus of Bulldogs from 2025, was honored with the All-Ivy League Defensive Player of the Year award. Currently playing professionally in the NBA, he recently played for the Utah Jazz (23-59) in a game last Sunday. Despite his notable performance, the Utah Jazz (23-59) was defeated 131-107 at home by the Los Angeles Lakers. In that game, Mbeng showcased his skills by scoring 14 points, grabbing 4 rebounds, dishing out 9 assists, and making 5 steals during his 48 minutes on the court. Even though he displayed an impressive performance against the Los Angeles Lakers, contributing significantly to his team, they were unable to secure a victory. Throughout the season, Mbeng has maintained relatively good statistics with an average of 8.1 points per game, 3.8 rebounds per game, 4.1 assists per game, and 2.3 steals per game. His consistent performance and contributions on the court have made him a key player for the Utah Jazz this season.
#3. Nigerian basketball player Olumiye Oni, standing at 6'6'' and aged 28, is a graduate of Yale University from the class of 2019. In that same year, he was honored with the prestigious All-Ivy League Player of the Year award for his exceptional skills on the court. Oni currently plays professionally in Puerto Rico and recently made a significant impact in a game where his team, Osos de Manati, emerged victorious over the Leones with a score of 105-94 in the Puerto Rican Baloncesto Superior Nacional. During the game, Oni displayed an impressive performance by achieving a double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds, along with contributing 9 assists, all within 35 minutes of playtime. His remarkable skills and contributions were crucial in securing the win for his team. Osos de Manati currently holds the fifth position in Group B, indicating a promising start to the season, with potential for further success as the season progresses. In another notable game against Ponce, Oni once again showcased his talent by scoring 10 points, grabbing 10 rebounds, and providing 9 assists. This exceptional display further solidified his reputation as a standout player in the league, highlighting his versatility and determination on the court. Throughout the season, Oni has maintained impressive averages of 10.0 points per game, 6.7 rebounds per game, and 5.0 assists per game, ranking him as the second-best player in the league in terms of assists. With such consistent performances and valuable contributions to his team, Oni continues to prove himself as a champion player and a key asset for Osos de Manati in their pursuit of success in the league.
Other former Yale University players, who play in pro basketball:
Isaiah Kelly (6'7''-F-2000, played in 2018-23) plays for Honka in Finnish Korisliiga
Trey Phills (6'2''-G-1996, played in 2015-19) played for Strohs Squad in the The Basketball Tournament few monts ago
Notice: The list above includes only some of alumni playing currently in pro basketball. Check complete list of Yale University basketball alumni.
John Poulakidas is last week best Bulldogs alumni, who plays professional basketball (Photo: @LAClippers)
Ex-Players
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