Courtesy of Eurobasket LLC Here is the weekly review of the top performing Cougars alumni, who are currently playing in pro basketball.
Especially interesting is good performance of Clarke Rosenberg (19 points), Elijah Weaver (8 points), and Noah Bigirumwami (5 points).
#1. Experienced Clarke Rosenberg, a 6'4'' guard at 33 years old who graduated from Chicago State in 2015 and currently plays professionally in Israel, showcased his skills by leading Maccabi Kiryat Gat to a 91-81 victory over the fifth-ranked Maccabi Haifa (9-21) in the Israeli National League's second division on Wednesday night. In a standout performance, Rosenberg was named the MVP of the game after contributing 19 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 assists in just 23 minutes of play. Maccabi Kiryat Gat, where Rosenberg is in his first season, holds the third position in the Play-Out group, with the Play-Out Round having already concluded. His impressive season averages of 14.1 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 2.5 assists per game highlight his significant contributions to the team throughout the season. It is noteworthy that Rosenberg holds both American and Israeli citizenship, allowing him to compete in Israel as a domestic player. His impact on the court was instrumental in securing the victory for his team against Maccabi Haifa, showcasing his prowess as a champion player.
#2. Elijah Weaver, a 6'6'' guard and 27-year-old alum of the Cougars from 2023, currently plays professionally in Uruguay. Recently, Weaver, a finalist, could not lead Defensor (15-17) to victory against Penarol (26-6) in the Uruguayan Liga Uruguaya de Basquetbol. Despite his efforts, Defensor, placed sixth in the league, was defeated 93-81 by the top-ranked Penarol in a crucial game within the top six standings. During the game, Weaver contributed significantly by scoring 8 points, grabbing 3 rebounds, and providing 2 assists in 26 minutes of play. This game marked Weaver's debut season with the team, and although he displayed a strong performance individually, his team ultimately fell short against the champion, Penarol. Throughout the season, Weaver has maintained impressive statistics, averaging 17.4 points per game, along with 3.3 rebounds, 3.0 assists, and 1.3 steals per game. Despite the challenges faced by Defensor, Weaver's personal achievements on the court have been noteworthy as he continues to make a significant impact in the league.
#3. Noah Bigirumwami, a 29-year-old forward/center standing at 6'9'' and a graduate of Chicago St. in 2023, currently playing professionally in Switzerland, played a crucial role in leading Grasshopper Club Zurich Wildcats to a decisive 77-61 victory over the second-ranked Bernex (7-0) in the Swiss NLB (second division) on Saturday night. In the highly anticipated matchup between two top 3 ranked teams in group Places 1-8, Bigirumwami's team emerged victorious, with him contributing 5 points, 4 rebounds, and 2 assists in just 17 minutes of play. This win marked the sixth consecutive victory for Grasshopper Club Zurich Wildcats, who now sit comfortably at the top of the Places 1-8 group with a 6-1 record. Bigirumwami, in his first season with the team, showcased his skills and helped secure the victory that crowned his team as the champion of the game. Throughout the season, Bigirumwami has been averaging 6.5 points per game and 4.8 rebounds per game, displaying his talent and contribution to the team's success. Despite being a naturalized American, Bigirumwami has quickly become an integral part of the Grasshopper Club Zurich Wildcats, proving himself as a valuable asset in their quest for success in the Swiss NLB.
#4. Fred Sims Jr., a 6'4'' guard and 29-year-old Cougars alumni from 2018 who currently plays professionally in Australia, played a crucial role in Melbourne University's recent victory over the Storm, one of the weakest teams in the league. In the Australian Big V Conference, a third-division league, Melbourne University emerged victorious with a score of 108-98 on Saturday night. During the game, Sims Jr. demonstrated his skills by scoring 19 points, grabbing 7 rebounds, and providing 2 assists in just 22 minutes of play. Melbourne University, currently ninth in the league with a 3-7 record, benefited greatly from his stellar performance. In another notable game against Bellarine, Sims Jr. once again stood out as the champion, scoring 19 points, grabbing 7 rebounds, and contributing 2 assists. His exceptional display on the court was instrumental in leading his team to victory. Throughout the season, Sims Jr. has maintained impressive individual statistics, averaging 20.5 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 2.0 assists per game. His consistent performance has solidified his reputation as a standout player in the league. Notably, Sims Jr. has previously participated in the Eurobasket Summer League, a prestigious platform for players looking to showcase their talent and pursue basketball opportunities overseas.
Other former Chicago State University players, who play in pro basketball:
Glen Burns (6'3''-G-1995, played in 2016-18) plays for Samobor in Croatian Premijer Liga
David Holston (5'7''-PG-1986, played in 2005-09) plays for JDA Dijon Bourgogne in French Betclic ELITE ProA
Andrew Lewis (6'3''-G-1998, played in 2019-22) plays for Iverioni in Georgian Superleague
Deionte Simmons (6'9''-C-1996, played in 2016-18) played for Mineros de Parral in Mexican LBE few monts ago
Teddy Bayi (6'9''-F, played in 2021-23) played for Dourges in French NM2 last year
Anthony Harris (6'3''-G-1997, played in 2017-19) plays for Basket Osasco in Brazilian NBB
Jahsean Corbett (6'6''-G/F-2002, played in 2021-24) plays for CD Espanol Osorno in Chilean LNB
Jawad Adekoya (6'6''-G-1994, played in 2014-16) plays for Maktown in Nigerian PBL
Ken Odiase (6'7''-F-1997, played in 2016-19) played for Solola in Guatemalan D3 last year
Clemmye Owens V (6'1''-G-1994, played in 2015-17) played for Glass City Wranglers in the TBL last year
Ke'Sean Davis (6'7''-F-1998, played in 2019-21) played for Long Beach Blue Waves in the TBL last year
Notice: The list above includes only some of alumni playing currently in pro basketball. Check complete list of Chicago State University basketball alumni.
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