Courtesy of Eurobasket LLC Every week we bring you a list of the top former Huskies players who continue their career in pro basketball.
Notice impressive performance of Eugene German (29 points), Trendon Hankerson (10 points), and Philmon Gebrewhit (13 points).
#1. Eugene German, a 6'0'' point guard who is 28 years old and graduated from NIU in 2020, is currently playing professionally in China. In a recent game, he led the Shougang Beijing Ducks to a decisive 87-70 victory over the Eagles, where he was named the MVP. German's stellar performance included an impressive 29-point contribution along with 4 assists in just 31 minutes of play. The Shougang Beijing Ducks, with a record of 26-13, currently hold the fifth position in the Chinese Basketball Association. With only three games remaining in the regular season, each game becomes increasingly crucial for their placement. In another standout performance against Qingdao E, Eugene German showcased his talents by scoring 29 points, grabbing 2 rebounds, and providing 4 assists. His efforts were instrumental in securing the victory for his team and ultimately helping them be named the champion. Throughout the season, German has demonstrated consistent high-level play, averaging 18.1 points, 2.9 rebounds, 4.6 assists, and 1.1 steals per game over the course of 38 games played so far. His strong performances have undoubtedly been a driving force behind the success of the Shougang Beijing Ducks in the league.
#2. Trendon Hankerson, a 6'2'' guard and 25-year-old Zips alumni from 2023, previously played for NIU between 2018 and 2022 before embarking on his professional basketball career in Romania. In a recent game, despite his commendable efforts, Hankerson could not guide Brasov (12-15) to victory as they suffered a close 118-123 defeat on the road against the higher-ranked (#11) Targu Mures. During the game, Hankerson showcased his skills by scoring 10 points, providing 4 assists, and playing for 28 minutes. As the Regular Season nears its end with only one more game remaining, the upcoming match holds significant importance for Hankerson and his team. Despite the loss against Targu Mures, Hankerson displayed a solid performance by contributing 10 points, 2 rebounds, and 4 assists to the game. Throughout the season, Hankerson has maintained respectable statistics with an average of 12.7 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 3.4 assists per game over seven games. Hankerson's consistent performance highlights his value to Brasov as they strive for success in the final stages of the season.
#3. Philmon Gebrewhit, the 6'8'' guard who graduated from NIU in 2024 and currently plays professionally in Australia, recently showcased his skills for the struggling South West Slammers. Despite his commendable performance, the team faced another defeat in their recent game against the higher-ranked Buccaneers. Gebrewhit contributed 13 points in 24 minutes of play, but it wasn't enough to secure a victory for the 13th-placed SW Slammers, who suffered their fourth consecutive loss. However, with the season still in its early stages, there is hope for a turnaround in their fortunes. In a previous game against Geraldton B, Gebrewhit displayed his talent by scoring 13 points, along with 2 rebounds and 2 assists. Despite his individual efforts, the team couldn't clinch the win. Gebrewhit has been maintaining solid statistics this season, averaging 11.5 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 1.5 assists per game across four games. As the season progresses, all eyes will be on Gebrewhit to lead his team to success and potentially emerge as a champion.
#4. Anthony Crump, a 6'8'' forward who is 26 years old, formerly of the Broncos alummi (2024) but played for NIU between 2020 and 2023, showcased his basketball prowess in a recent game in The Basketball League. Playing for the Ads Sentinels, Crump led his team to a convincing 127-99 victory over the Little Rock Lightning, who had a 4-6 record. In an impressive performance, he scored 16 points, grabbed 8 rebounds, and dished out 5 assists in 35 minutes of play. This exceptional display of skill is particularly noteworthy as Crump is only in his second season in professional basketball. The Ads Sentinels, with a relatively weak 7-3 record this season, secured their fourth consecutive win with Crump's stellar contribution. Crump's overall performance this season has been commendable, averaging 12.2 points, 8.4 rebounds, 3.6 assists, and 1.6 steals per game in 10 appearances. His journey to the professional ranks was aided by his participation in the Eurobasket Summer League, where he honed his skills and caught the attention of pro basketball scouts. Crump's dominant presence on the court against the Little Rock Lightning truly exemplified his abilities as a champion.
Other former Northern Illinois University players, who play in pro basketball:
Levi Bradley (6'7''-F-1996, played in 2015-19) plays for IRT Tanger in Moroccan DEX-H
Kaleb Thornton (6'0''-PG-1999, played in 2020-23) plays for Al Khaleej in Saudi Arabian SBL
Lacey James (6'9''-F-1996, played in 2016-16) plays for Wisconsin Herd in the NBA G League
Notice: The list above includes only some of alumni playing currently in pro basketball. Check complete list of Northern Illinois University basketball alumni.
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