Courtesy of Eurobasket LLC Here is the weekly review of the top performing Apaches alumni, who are currently playing in pro basketball.
#1. Naje Smith (6'8''-F-2000, played in 2018-20, plays pro in Slovakia) managed to help BC Prievidza in a victory against the closely-ranked Slovan (5-3) 84-75 in the Slovakian Tipos SBL last Saturday. He scored only 2 points, grabbed 12 boards, handed out 3 passes and blocked 2 shots in 28 minutes. It was the game of the round between two top 4 ranked teams. BC Prievidza (5-2) is placed third in the Tipos SBL. It was his team's fifth consecutive victory in a row. But this is still an early stage of the season and everything may happen. It's Smith's first year with the team. This season Smith averages 6.4ppg, 8.0rpg, 2.6apg and 1.4bpg in five games he played so far.
#2. Milan Szabo (6'9''-C-1998, played in 2018-20, plays in Slovakia) faced previously mentioned Naje Smith in the Slovakian Tipos SBL last game. Szabo could not help one of league's weakest teams Slovan (5-3) in their last game on Saturday. Despite his good performance Slovan was defeated 84-75 at home by the higher-ranked Prievidza (#3). Szabo scored 11 points and grabbed 6 rebounds (was perfect 5-for-5 from the free throw line). But the season just started, so everything may happen. This year Szabo averages 9.6ppg, 4.4rpg and 1.3bpg.
#3. Dakota Gillespie (6'4''-G-2000, played in 2020-22, currently in Switzerland) led Riviera to a victory over the closely-ranked CNBS (3-3) 97-87 in the Swiss NLB (second division) in Friday night's game. He was MVP of the game. Gillespie recorded 35 points (!!!) and grabbed 7 rebounds in 40 minutes; quite an impressive performance considering it's only his first season in pro basketball. VRB/URLB Riviera 1952 (4-3) is placed seventh in the NLB. Gillespie has individually a very good year with high stats. He averages 21.6ppg, 5.6rpg, 3.3apg and 2.3spg in seven games.
#4. Experienced Nathan Sobey (6'3''-G-1990, played in 2010-11, plays pro in Australia) was the main contributor in a 1-point South East Melbourne Phoenix's victory against the seventh-ranked JackJumpers (5-8) 103-102 in the Australian NBL last Thursday. He was MVP of the game. Sobey scored 28 points (!!!), made 4 passes and 3 steals. South East Melbourne Phoenix (8-3) is placed third in the NBL. But the season is still in its first stage and everything can happen. It's Sobey's first year with the team. This season he has very high stats. Sobey averages 21.7ppg, 3.7rpg, 3.9apg and 1.8spg.
#5. Emanual Shepherd (6'8''-F/C-1995, played in 2014-16, plays in Argentina) was not able to help Pergamino in their game against Lanus (2-1) in the Argentinian La Liga Argentina (second division), despite his very good performance last Sunday. He had a double-double by scoring 21 points and getting 11 rebounds in 31 minutes. It was his first game for Pergamino this season. But the fourth-placed Pergamino (1-2) was crushed90-66 on their home court in Pergamino by the lower-ranked (#5) Lanus in the Conferencia Sur. It was Pergamino's fifth consecutive loss in a row. But the season is still in its first stage and everything can happen. It's Shepherd's first year with the team.
Other former Cochise College players, who play in pro basketball:
Brayon Blake (6'7''-G/F-1995, played in 2014-15) plays for Knox Raiders in Australian NBL One
Jamaure Gregg (6'7''-F-1999, played in 2017-19) played for Ordu in Azerbaijani ABL
Justin Jones (6'6''-G-1995, played in 2014-16) plays for Bakersfield Majestics in the TBL
Notice: The list above includes only some of alumni playing currently in pro basketball. Check complete list of Cochise College basketball alumni.
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