Courtesy of Eurobasket LLC Here is the weekly review of the top performing Thunderbirds alumni, who are currently playing in pro basketball.
#1. British champion Jason Spurgin, a 6'11'' center aged 24, who graduated from BGSU in 2024 but showcased his skills at SUU from 2020 to 2023, where he notably aided in their triumph in the CIT Championship Semifinals, is now making waves in professional basketball in Australia. Spurgin, now a finalist playing for the Sutherland Sharks, played a pivotal role in their recent dominating victory over the 15th-ranked Panthers (1-9), with a resounding scoreline of 102-80 in the Australian NBL One, the second division league. His remarkable performance included scoring 23 points, securing 7 rebounds, and delivering 5 assists in just 22 minutes of play. Despite being only in his second season in professional basketball, Spurgin's impact on the court has been nothing short of impressive. The Sutherland Sharks, currently positioned tenth in the East group with a record of 5-5, have greatly benefited from Spurgin's outstanding contributions. His consistent stellar play, as seen in the recent game against Penrith, further solidified his reputation as a champion. With impressive season averages of 20.7 points, 10.6 rebounds, and 2.3 assists per game in the seven games he has played thus far, Spurgin is undeniably having a standout year individually. Noteworthy is the fact that Spurgin holds both American and British citizenship, allowing him the versatility to play as a domestic player in the United Kingdom, showcasing his talent on both sides of the Atlantic.
#2. Australian player Kingsley Box, a towering 6'5'' guard and Thunderbirds alum from 2021, has been making waves in the Australian basketball scene. Notably, Box played a pivotal role in helping the Thunderbirds secure the Big Sky Conference Regular Season Champion title in 2021. Currently, he is showcasing his talents as a professional player in Australia. Recently, Box demonstrated his prowess on the court by leading the Nunawading Spectres to a thrilling 95-93 victory over the second-ranked Tigers in the Australian NBL One, the country's second division. In this high-stakes game, Box displayed his skills by contributing 15 points and 4 rebounds during his impressive 38-minute performance. Despite facing tough competition, Box's exceptional performance against Melbourne T. further solidified his reputation as a champion player. By scoring 15 points, grabbing 4 rebounds, and dishing out 2 assists, Box played a crucial role in securing the victory for his team. His consistent contributions and determination highlight his potential as a champion in the making. Box's statistics this season speak volumes about his capabilities on the court, averaging 10.4 points, 6.1 rebounds, 2.0 assists, and 1.1 steals per game in the 14 games he has played so far. With his impressive skills and dedication, Box continues to prove himself as a formidable player and a future finalist in the making.
#3. Australian Jarryd Hoppo, a 6'9'' forward aged 26, who graduated from SUU in 2020 and currently plays professionally in Australia, made a significant impact in a recent Australian NBL One game. Playing for the Sturt Sabres, Hoppo played a key role in their 84-81 victory over the seventh-ranked Central District Lions. In this nail-biting match, he showcased his skills by scoring 8 points, grabbing 5 rebounds, and providing 1 assist in 26 minutes on the court. The Sturt Sabres, currently placed third in the Central group with a record of 10-2, have been benefiting greatly from Hoppo's consistent performance throughout the season. His contribution to the team's recent win against the Central District Lions was particularly noteworthy, earning him the title of the champion of the game. Throughout the season, Hoppo has been maintaining an impressive average of 10.0 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 2.5 assists per game in the 11 games played so far. His dedication and skill on the court have been instrumental in the success of the Sturt Sabres, positioning him as a key player and a force to be reckoned with in the Australian NBL One.
#4. Jacob Calloway, a 6'8'' former Thunderbirds alumni from 2019, currently playing professionally in Mexico, showcased his talent as a major contributor in Angeles de Ciudad de Mexico's recent victory against the Tijuana Zonkeys. In a closely contested match, Angeles de Ciudad de Mexico emerged triumphant with a score of 112-107 in the Mexican Circuito de Baloncesto de la Costa del Pacifico. Calloway, the standout player of the game, scored an impressive 19 points and secured 7 rebounds during the intense matchup, which lasted 33 minutes. Despite Tijuana Zonkeys' strong performance, Jacob Calloway's remarkable contribution on the court proved to be instrumental in his team's success. With this significant win, Angeles de Ciudad de Mexico, currently placed fifth in the league with a record of 20-20, demonstrated their potential to compete at the highest level. Jacob Calloway's exceptional performance further solidified his reputation as a skilled player in the league. With an average of 13.2 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 1.6 assists per game in 42 appearances this season, Calloway continues to be a vital asset for his team's success. His valuable contributions on the court undoubtedly played a crucial role in Angeles de Ciudad de Mexico's journey towards becoming the champion.
#5. Tevian Jones, a 6'7'' guard who is 25 years old and a graduate of SUU in 2023, received the Lou Henson National Player of the Year Award Finalist honor in that same year. Currently playing professionally in Canada, Jones recently made his debut for the Saskatchewan Mamba in a thrilling game against the Shooting Stars, which ended in a narrow 90-88 victory for his team. In this game, Jones showcased his talent by scoring 18 points, grabbing 6 rebounds, and playing for 26 minutes. Despite the Saskatchewan Mamba's somewhat unimpressive 2-4 record so far this season, it's important to note that this is only the beginning of the season, and there is still plenty of time for the team's performance to improve. Jones continued to impress in another game against Scarborough, where he contributed significantly to his team's success by scoring 18 points, grabbing 6 rebounds, and providing 2 assists. His exceptional skills and determination on the court clearly demonstrate why he is considered a true champion. With his abilities and work ethic, Jones is poised to make a significant impact in the league as he progresses through his third season in professional basketball.
Other former Southern Utah University players, who play in pro basketball:
Felix Pangilinan-Lemetti (6'1''-G-1999) plays for Rain or Shine Elasto Painters in Filipino PBA
Dee Barnes (6'4''-G-2000, played in 2020-22) plays for Zonkeys de Tijuana in Mexican CIBACOPA
Cameron Oluyitan (6'7''-G/F-1997, played in 2017-17) played for Ostioneros de Guaymas in Mexican CIBACOPA few monts ago
Damon Heuir (6'3''-G-1991, played in 2009-13) played for Cairns Marlins in Australian NBL One last year
Najeeb Muhammad (6'2''-PG-2001, played in 2025-26) plays for P.Olimpas in Lithuanian NKL
Zion Young (6'4''-SG, played in 2022-24) plays for Borec in North Macedonian First League
Harrison Butler (6'5''-G, played in 2018-23) plays for NTD in Azerbaijani ABL
John Knight III (6'3''-G-1999, played in 2019-22) plays for Vancouver Bandits in CEBL
Notice: The list above includes only some of alumni playing currently in pro basketball. Check complete list of Southern Utah University basketball alumni.
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