Courtesy of Eurobasket LLC Every week we bring you a list of the top former Bulldogs players who continue their career in pro basketball.
#1. Cobe Williams, a 6'0'' point guard at 25 years old, graduated from Tulsa in 2024 after playing for La Tech between 2019 and 2023. He received the prestigious NABC Division I All-District 11 First Team award during his time at La Tech. Currently playing professionally in Germany, Williams showcased his talent by leading Bamberg Baskets to a remarkable 81-73 victory over the closely-ranked ALBA Berlin (24-10) in the German easyCredit BBL last Thursday. In this highly anticipated matchup between two top 4 ranked teams, Williams proved to be the standout player, earning the title of MVP for his exceptional performance. Scoring 20 points, providing 5 assists, and making 6 steals in just 31 minutes of play, Williams displayed his prowess on the court. This remarkable display of skill is even more impressive considering he is only in his second season of professional basketball. Bamberg Baskets, currently placed third in the league with a record of 24-10, secured their seventh consecutive victory, thanks in large part to Williams' outstanding contributions. His consistent performance throughout the season is reflected in his solid stats, averaging 14.5 points, 2.2 rebounds, 3.9 assists, and 1.5 steals per game in the 40 games he has played so far. In the game against ALBA Berlin, Williams truly embodied the spirit of a champion, showcasing his exceptional skills and unwavering determination on the court. His leadership and stellar performance were instrumental in guiding his team to victory, solidifying his status as a standout player and a true finalist.
#2. Tahlik Chavez, a 25-year-old guard standing at 6'2'' and an alum of the Bulldogs from 2024, currently plays professionally in Poland. In a recent game, despite his commendable efforts, Chavez was unable to assist Dziki Warszawa (18-12) in securing a victory. The team suffered a 78-91 defeat against the formidable Legia in a derby match. Chavez showcased his skills by contributing 10 points and 4 assists during his 23 minutes on the court. This game marked Dziki Warszawa's first loss following a streak of five consecutive wins. Despite the setback, Chavez displayed an impressive performance against Legia, tallying 10 points, 2 rebounds, and 4 assists. However, his individual efforts were not adequate to secure a win for his team. Throughout the season, Chavez has maintained relatively solid statistics, averaging 11.5 points, 1.8 rebounds, and 2.7 assists per game across 37 appearances. His consistent contributions on the court demonstrate his value as a key player for his team in the ongoing season.
#3. Experienced point guard Alex Hamilton, standing at 6'4'' and aged 32, graduated from La Tech in 2016, where he received the prestigious All-C-USA Player of the Year award. Currently playing professionally in Puerto Rico, Hamilton recently showcased his skills for Atleticos de San German in a close match against the Cangrejeros. Despite his solid performance, recording 10 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists, and 3 steals in 36 minutes, his team, the championship-leading San German, was narrowly defeated 95-92 by the lower-ranked Cangrejeros in Group A play. In a separate game against Santurce, Hamilton once again displayed his prowess on the court by contributing 10 points, 4 rebounds, and 4 assists. Unfortunately, despite his noteworthy efforts, his team fell short and ended up on the losing side. Throughout the season, Hamilton has maintained impressive statistics, averaging 12.3 points, 4.5 rebounds, 4.6 assists, and 1.2 steals per game across 22 appearances. As a seasoned player, Hamilton continues to be a key asset for Atleticos de San German as they strive to secure their position as a champion in the league.
#4. Kenneth Lofton Jr., a 6'7'' forward and 23-year-old Bulldogs alumnus from 2022, who received the All-C-USA First Team award that year, currently plays professionally in China. Recently, he played a pivotal role in Shanghai Sharks' dominant 103-82 victory over the closely-ranked Guangsha Lions (33-9) in the Chinese Basketball Association last Friday. Despite only scoring 2 points and providing 3 assists in his 7 minutes on the court, Lofton Jr.'s impact was felt throughout the game. This matchup was highly anticipated as it featured two of the top 4 teams in the league, with Shanghai Sharks (38-4) holding the top spot. This win marked their ninth consecutive victory, highlighting their impressive form. In the game against Guangsha Lions, Lofton Jr. displayed his versatility by contributing 2 points, 2 rebounds, and 3 assists, playing a crucial role in securing the win for his team. His all-around performance, both offensively and defensively, underscored his abilities as a finalist player. Throughout the season, Lofton Jr. has maintained solid statistics, averaging 12.3 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 3.4 assists per game over 45 appearances.
#5. Drew Gordon, a towering 6'10'' center/forward aged 28, who graduated from La Tech in 2021 and played a pivotal role in helping them clinch the C-USA West Division Regular Season Champion title that year, currently showcases his skills in the TBL. In a recent match, he led the 4 Bears Roar to a resounding victory over the Willamette Valley Jaguars, dominating them with a commanding 156-79 win. Despite playing for just 16 minutes, Gordon made a significant impact by contributing 17 points and securing 5 rebounds. The 4 Bears Roar has maintained a strong record this season, standing at an impressive 23-1. Their recent triumph marked their 23rd consecutive win, highlighting their remarkable consistency and dominance in the league. Gordon's noteworthy performance against the Willamette Valley Jaguars further solidified his reputation as a key player and a true champion on the court. Throughout the current season, Gordon has been contributing consistently, averaging 6.5 points per game and 3.0 rebounds per game across six matches. His steady performance and invaluable contributions have undoubtedly played a crucial role in his team's success, establishing him as a vital asset and a formidable presence in the league.
#6. DaQuan Bracey, a 29-year-old point guard standing at 5'11'' and an alum of the Bulldogs from 2020, currently plays professionally in Mexico. Recently, he played a significant role in Angeles de Ciudad de Mexico's triumph over the closely-ranked Tijuana Zonkeys with a score of 112-107 in the Mexican Circuito de Baloncesto de la Costa del Pacifico. In this game, the champion player scored 6 points and secured 3 rebounds in 21 minutes of play, showcasing his skills and contributing greatly to his team's success. Throughout the season, Bracey has been performing consistently, averaging 9.2 points, 1.9 rebounds, and 2.9 assists per game across 17 games. His dedication and talent on the court continue to demonstrate why he is considered a finalist player in the league.
#7. Will Allen, a 24-year-old forward standing at 6'7'' who graduated from La Tech in 2026 and was instrumental in guiding them to the final of the C-USA Tournament that year, currently competes professionally in the TBL. Despite his best efforts, Allen was unable to lead the Kokomo Bobkats to victory against the Lebanon Leprechauns in their recent matchup. Regrettably, the game on Sunday cannot be considered one of his standout performances, as he only managed to score 2 points in a mere 3 minutes on the court. The Kokomo Bobkats ultimately fell short, losing 106-114 in The Basketball League. Allen's individual contribution of 2 points against Lebanon was overshadowed by his team's defeat in the contest. Throughout this season, Allen has been averaging 3.9 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 1.1 assists per game across 16 appearances.
Other former Louisiana Tech University players, who play in pro basketball:
Kenneth Smith (6'3''-PG-1993, played in 2011-15) plays for Rytas in Lithuanian LKL
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
Paul Millsap (6'8''-F-1985, played in 2003-06) played for Dallas Power in the Big3 last year
Marcus Elliott (6'3''-G-1984, played in 2005-07) played for ACES in Filipino TAT last year
Amorie Archibald (6'4''-G-1999, played in 2017-22) plays for Brillantes in Venezuelan SPB
Derric Jean (6'2''-G-1997, played in 2015-20) played for Freseros Irapuato in Mexican LNBP last year
Tyler Henry (6'4''-G-2000, played in 2023-24) plays for Marsonia in Croatian Prva Liga
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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Ex-Players
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