Courtesy of Eurobasket LLC Every week we bring you a list of the top former Bears players who continue their career in pro basketball.
Notice impressive performance of Stephon Jelks (20 points), Demetre Rivers (10 points), and Jalyn McCreary (12 points).
#1. Stephon Jelks, a 6'6'' power forward aged 29, graduated from Mercer in 2018 and was instrumental in helping them win the CBI Championship Quarterfinals that year. Currently playing professionally in Estonia, Jelks recently led Kalev/Cramo to a victory over the seventh-ranked Tartu with a score of 116-109 in the Estonian Paf Korvpalli Meistriliiga on Tuesday night. During the game, Jelks showcased his skills by achieving a double-double, scoring 20 points, securing 10 rebounds, and providing 5 assists in 33 minutes of play. BC Kalev/Cramo Tallinn, with a record of 7-0, holds the top spot in the league, having won all seven games in the finals so far. Jelks' impressive performance against Tartu not only contributed to his team's success but also highlighted his prowess on the court, solidifying his status as a champion among players. In the current season, he maintains relatively strong statistics with an average of 10.8 points per game, 8.8 rebounds (the second-best in the league), and 3.4 assists per game.
#2. Demetre Rivers, a 30-year-old forward standing at 6'8'' and an alumnus of the Bears from 2018, currently plays professionally in Italy. Notably, he was a key player in helping his team clinch the CBI Championship Quarterfinals title in the same year. In a recent match against the eighth-ranked Trieste, Rivers showcased his skills, contributing significantly to his team's convincing 90-75 victory. He played for 23 minutes and scored 10 points, displaying his prowess on the court. The Germani Brescia Leonessa team, with a record of 21-7, currently holds the second spot in the league standings. Rivers' impactful performance against Trieste, where he scored 10 points, grabbed 3 rebounds, and provided 1 assist, was instrumental in securing the win for his team. His consistent excellence on the court solidifies his reputation as a true champion. Throughout this season, Rivers has maintained an average of 9.5 points per game and 2.7 rebounds per game, showcasing his value to the team with his consistent contributions.
#3. Jalyn McCreary, a 25-year-old 6'8'' forward who graduated from Mercer in 2024 and received the All-SoCon Second Team award that year, currently plays professionally in Bosnia. In a recent game last Monday, McCreary, despite his solid performance, was unable to help his team, Siroki (24-6), secure a victory. The first-placed Siroki suffered a 104-90 defeat on the road against the second-ranked Igokea in the Winners Stage group, despite McCreary's impressive display on the court where he scored 12 points, grabbed 8 rebounds, and provided 1 assist in 27 minutes of play. Throughout the season, McCreary has been excelling individually with remarkable statistics. He leads the league in scoring with an average of 19.3 points per game, ranks fourth in rebounds with 7.9 per game, and averages 1.5 assists per game. Despite his outstanding personal performance, McCreary's team fell short in the recent match, but his contributions on the court continue to showcase his talent and skill as a champion player.
#4. Experienced Darious Moten, a 33-year-old forward standing at 6'8'' and an alumnus of Bears from 2015, currently plays professionally in Indonesia. In a recent game, he proved to be a major contributor in Pelita Jaya's narrow 84-82 victory over the eighth-ranked RANS PIK in the Indonesian Basketball League. Recording an impressive stat line of 17 points, 6 rebounds, and 5 assists in 33 minutes of play, Moten showcased his skill and experience on the court. Pelita Jaya Bakrie Jakarta, with a record of 18-2, holds the top spot in the league standings, largely due to players like Moten stepping up in crucial moments. His stellar performance in the game against RANS PIK not only displayed his individual talent but also highlighted his ability to make significant impacts on the team's success. His consistent contributions throughout the season have been reflected in his solid average stats of 15.0 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 2.5 assists per game, further solidifying his reputation as a champion player.
Other former Mercer University players, who play in pro basketball:
Jalen Johnson (6'6''-G-1997, played in 2021-22) plays for Balkan in Bulgarian NBL
Langston Hall (6'4''-PG-1991, played in 2010-14) played for Karditsas in Greek GBL few monts ago
Laurynas Vaistaras (6'7''-G/F-2001, played in 2024-25) plays for Gargzdu in Lithuanian LKL
Maciej Bender (6'11''-F/C-1997, played in 2020-21) plays for Tauron GTK Gliwice in Polish OBL
Djordje Dimitrijevic (6'2''-G-1997, played in 2018-20) plays for Honved in Hungarian A Division
Alex Holt (6'9''-C-2002, played in 2023-25) plays for Telavi in Georgian Superleague
Ria'N Holland (6'0''-PG-1994, played in 2016-18) plays for Caledonia Gladiators in British SLB
Tyler Johnson (6'2''-G-2001, played in 2024-25) plays for Niki Volou in Greek Elite League
Luis A. Hurtado Jr. (6'7''-G/F-1998, played in 2022-23) plays for Diablos in Venezuelan SPB
Felipe Haase (6'9''-F-1998, played in 2019-22) plays for Capitanes de Ciudad de Mexico in the NBA G League
Amanze Ngumezi (6'9''-F-2000, played in 2023-24) plays for Jacksonville 95ers in the TBL
Notice: The list above includes only some of alumni playing currently in pro basketball. Check complete list of Mercer University basketball alumni.
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