Courtesy of Eurobasket LLC Every week we bring you a list of the top former Highlanders players who continue their career in pro basketball.
Look at great performance of Flynn Cameron (31 points), Benjamin Griscti (27 points), and Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser (10 points).
#1. New Zealand's Flynn Cameron, a 6'5'' guard who is 25 years old and graduated from UC Riverside in 2023, has been making waves in the Australian basketball scene. Currently playing professionally in Australia, Cameron recently led the South West Metro Pirates to a surprising victory over the fourth-ranked Phoenix with a score of 102-92 in the Australian NBL One, which is the second division of the league. In this game, Cameron displayed an exceptional performance, earning himself the title of MVP with an impressive stat line of 31 points, 8 rebounds, and 4 assists in 40 minutes of play. This remarkable display of skill is even more noteworthy considering he is only in his third season of professional basketball. Despite the South West Metro Pirates being ranked 12th in the North group with a record of 2-8, Cameron's individual contributions have been outstanding throughout the season. He has been averaging an impressive 33.0 points per game, along with 12.0 rebounds and 5.5 assists, showcasing his versatility and impact on the court. Cameron's stellar performance against SC Phoenix exemplifies his capabilities as a true champion and highlights his potential as a standout player in the league.
#2. Australian Benjamin Griscti, a towering 6'11'' center and 23-year-old, who is an alumnus of Highlanders from 2024 and currently plays professionally in Australia, unfortunately could not lead Nunawading Spectres (11-5) to victory in their recent game. Despite Griscti's stellar performance, the third-placed Nunawading Spectres were unable to overcome the leading Raiders, suffering a 104-95 defeat on the road last Sunday. Griscti showcased his skills by emerging as the top scorer of the game with an impressive 27 points while also contributing 7 rebounds during his 31 minutes on the court. In another standout performance against Knox Raiders, Griscti once again displayed his scoring prowess with 27 points, secured 7 rebounds, and provided 1 assist. However, despite his remarkable efforts, his team fell short in securing a win. Throughout the season, Griscti has maintained high statistics, averaging 16.2 points per game, 7.3 rebounds per game, 1.9 assists per game, and 1.2 blocks per game, establishing himself as a standout player in the league.
#3. Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser, a 31-year-old forward standing at 6'7'' and a UC Riverside graduate from 2018, showcased his skills in a recent game for the Talk N Text Tropang Giga in the Philippine Basketball Association. In a thrilling match against the second-ranked Ginebra Kings, Ganuelas-Rosser played a pivotal role in his team's surprising 106-98 victory on Wednesday night. He delivered an impressive performance, contributing 10 points and grabbing 8 rebounds in just 29 minutes of play. The Talk N Text Tropang Giga, currently holding the eighth spot in the league with a 6-6 record, relied on Ganuelas-Rosser's solid play to secure the important win against a tough opponent like the Ginebra Kings. His on-court contributions were instrumental in guiding his team towards success and ultimately clinching the title of the champion. Throughout the season, Ganuelas-Rosser has been maintaining an average of 7.7 points per game and 4.0 rebounds per game, showcasing his consistent performance on the court. It is noteworthy that Ganuelas-Rosser holds dual American and Filipino citizenship, allowing him to compete in the Philippines as a domestic player, further enhancing his value to his team as they aim for continued success in the league.
#4. Jhaylon Martinez, a 24-year-old center standing at 6'11" and an alumni of the Purple Eagles from 2025, previously playing for UC Riverside between 2021 and 2024, showcased his talent in a recent game for the South West Slammers. Despite his impressive performance, the struggling SW Slammers (1-14) were unable to secure a victory against the higher-ranked Eagles (#8) in the West group, ultimately falling short with a score of 77-71 in Morley. Martinez delivered a stellar double-double, contributing 15 points and grabbing 13 rebounds during his 31 minutes on the court. In a notable matchup against East Perth E, he continued to shine with 15 points, 13 rebounds, and 1 assist, earning recognition for his exceptional performance. His remarkable display of skills earned him the prestigious Triple-Double Badge from eurobasket.com, solidifying his status as a champion player. Throughout the season, Martinez has maintained solid statistics, averaging 12.8 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 1.5 assists per game. As a former participant in the Eurobasket Summer League, renowned as a top summer league for aspiring basketball players looking to pursue opportunities overseas, Martinez has demonstrated his potential as a finalist player with promising prospects in the world of basketball.
#5. Australian Clancy Bird, a 6'9'' forward who graduated from UC Riverside in 2024, showcased his skills in a recent Australian NBL One game where he helped the Manly Warringah Sea Eagles secure a dominant victory against the 15th-ranked Bandits. Bird's contribution of 5 points in just 11 minutes played a significant role in the team's impressive 111-70 win. The Sea Eagles, currently placed fourth in the East group with an 11-3 record, have been on a winning streak, with this game marking their third consecutive triumph. In another notable performance, Bird stood out against Albury W.B. by adding 5 points, 3 rebounds, and 2 assists to his stats, aiding his team in securing another important victory. His standout play was instrumental in the team's success, highlighting his importance as a key player for the Sea Eagles. Throughout the season, Bird has been averaging 2.9 points per game and 1.8 rebounds per game, consistently contributing to his team's efforts on the court.
Other former University of California Riverside players, who play in pro basketball:
Zyon Pullin (6'4''-G-2001, played in 2019-23) plays for Minnesota Timberwolves in the NBA
Lachlan Olbrich (6'10''-F/C-2003, played in 2022-23) plays for Chicago Bulls in the NBA
Koh Flippin (6'2''-G-1996, played in 2015-18) plays for Gunma Crane Thunders in Japanese B1 League
Menno Dijkstra (7'0''-C-1997, played in 2015-19) plays for Den Bosch in Dutch DBL
Taylor Johns (6'6''-C-1994, played in 2012-16) played for Santos de San Luis Potosi in Mexican LNBP few monts ago
Niyi Olabode (6'5''-G/F, played in 2021-25) plays for Komarno in Slovakian Tipos SBL
Jamal Hartwell II (5'11''-PG-1999, played in 2022-23) plays for Goes in Uruguayan LUB
Callum McRae (7'1''-C-1999, played in 2018-22) played for Nelson Giants in New Zealand NBL last year
JP Moorman II (6'7''-SF-1998, played in 2021-22) plays for Caspiy Aktau in Kazakhstan National League
Arinze Chidom (6'9''-F-1997, played in 2019-21) plays for Absheron in Azerbaijani ABL
Jock Perry (7'1''-C-1997, played in 2020-21) plays for Mandurah Magic in Australian NBL One
Alexander Larsson (6'10''-F-1995, played in 2014-18) plays for AIK Basket in Swedish Superettan
Notice: The list above includes only some of alumni playing currently in pro basketball. Check complete list of University of California Riverside basketball alumni.
|
|
|
Ex-Players
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
