Courtesy of Eurobasket LLC Every week we bring you a list of the top former Hoosiers players who continue their career in pro basketball.
Especially interesting is good performance of O.G. Anunoby (33 points), Justin Smith (12 points), and Race Thompson (9 points).
#1. British O.G. Anunoby, a 6'7'' forward who graduated from Indiana University in 2017 and currently plays professionally in the NBA, delivered a standout performance in Wednesday night's game. He played a crucial role in the New York Knicks' narrow 107-106 victory over the San Antonio Spurs, the team with an impressive 62-21 record. Anunoby's remarkable display on the court included scoring an impressive 33 points, along with 4 rebounds, and 1 assist in 42 minutes of play. This significant contribution from Anunoby helped the New York Knicks secure their fifth consecutive victory, despite their relatively weak 54-29 record for the season. His stellar performance not only boosted the team's morale but also showcased his skills as a true champion. Throughout the season, Anunoby has maintained high statistics, averaging 17.5 points, 5.5 rebounds, 2.1 assists, and 1.5 steals per game in the 85 games he has played so far. His consistent performance and leadership qualities make him a valuable asset to his team, highlighting his potential as a finalist.
#2. Justin Smith, a 6'7'' forward and 27-year-old Razorbacks alumni from 2021, previously playing in Indiana between 2017 and 2020, showcased his skills while representing Hapoel Bank Yahav Jerusalem in their recent game. Despite his commendable performance, the third-placed team, H. Jerusalem (18-8), was unable to secure a victory, falling 84-88 to the second-ranked Hapoel Tel-Aviv on the road in the Places 1-8 group matchup. Smith contributed 12 points during his 26 minutes on the court, displaying his scoring prowess and determination to help his team succeed. In the face of tough competition from Hapoel Tel-Aviv, Justin Smith continued to shine by scoring 12 points and securing 2 rebounds. His individual effort and solid performance were evident, although it was not enough to lead his team to a win on this occasion. Despite the outcome of the game, Smith's consistent contributions throughout the season have been notable, with an average of 13.9 points per game and 5.0 rebounds per game across 24 appearances. His dedication and skills make him a valuable asset for Hapoel Bank Yahav Jerusalem as they strive for success in their league campaign.
#3. Race Thompson, the 27-year-old forward standing at 6'8'' who graduated from Indiana in 2023 and currently plays professionally in Poland, made a significant impact in the recent Polish Orlen Basket Liga game. He played a key role in his team's commanding 79-63 victory over the eighth-ranked Zastal, scoring 9 points, grabbing 4 rebounds, and providing 1 assist in just 19 minutes on the court. This victory marked Legia Warszawa's seventh consecutive win, solidifying their position at the top of the league standings. Thompson's impressive performance against Zastal not only showcased his skills as a champion but also contributed to his team's success in securing the win. Throughout the season, he has maintained solid statistics, averaging 11.6 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 1.1 assists per game in 32 appearances. Thompson's consistent contributions and standout performances have undoubtedly established him as a formidable player in the league, demonstrating his potential as a finalist.
#4. Robert Phinisee, a 6'1'' guard and 26-year-old Bearcats alum from 2023, showcased his skills in the recent game for the 4 Bears Roar (23-1) against the Potawatomi Fire. Despite the team's disappointing 120-100 loss at home, Phinisee stood out as the top scorer with an impressive 25 points. Additionally, he contributed 7 assists and 3 steals during his 42 minutes on the court, highlighting his talent and versatility. This remarkable performance in only his third season of professional basketball solidifies his status as a true champion. Throughout the season, Phinisee has maintained high statistics, averaging 17.2 points, 5.3 rebounds, 4.5 assists, and 1.4 steals per game over 17 games. His consistent performance and contribution to the team's efforts make him a valuable asset and a standout finalist in the league.
#5. Miller Kopp, a 6'7'' forward who graduated from Indiana in 2023, has been showcasing his talent in professional basketball in Canada. Recently, he couldn't propel the Vancouver Bandits to victory in their last game against the Toronto Shooting Stars, where they were narrowly defeated 108-105. Despite Kopp's commendable performance of scoring 20 points and making 3 steals in 36 minutes, the Vancouver team fell short. In his third season in professional basketball, Kopp has been making significant strides. He recently displayed an impressive performance against Scarborough, contributing 20 points, 2 rebounds, and 1 assist. However, even with Kopp's contributions, his team couldn't secure a win in that game. Individually, Kopp has been having a standout year, boasting impressive stats with an average of 15.3 points, 5.4 rebounds, 1.4 assists, and 1.6 steals per game in the 10 games he has played. His dedication and skill on the court are setting him apart as a true champion in the making.
#6. Anthony Walker, a 6'9'' forward and 25-year-old Hoosiers alumni from 2024, showcased his talent in a recent game in the Canadian Elite Basketball League. In a match against Miller Kopp, Walker played a crucial role in the Scarborough Shooting Stars' 108-105 victory over the Bandits. He contributed 9 points and 3 rebounds in 21 minutes of play, helping his team secure the win. Walker's impressive performance on the court highlighted his skills as a finalist. Throughout the season, he has been averaging 5.0 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 1.5 assists per game in the four games played so far. Walker's consistent contributions demonstrate his potential to excel as a champion in the league.
Other former Indiana University players, who play in pro basketball:
Juwan Morgan (6'8''-F-1997, played in 2015-19) plays for Buducnost in Montenegrin Erste Liga
Yogi Ferrell (6'0''-PG-1993, played in 2012-16) plays for Buducnost in Montenegrin Erste Liga
Noah Vonleh (6'10''-F/C-1995, played in 2013-14) plays for Zenit in Russian VTB United League
Trayce Jackson-Davis (6'9''-F-2000, played in 2024-26) plays for Toronto Raptors in the NBA
Thomas Bryant (6'10''-F/C-1997, played in 2015-17) plays for Cleveland Cavaliers in the NBA
Eric Gordon (6'4''-G-1988, played in 2007-08) plays for Philadelphia 76ers in the NBA
Cody Zeller (7'0''-F-1992, played in 2011-13) played for Atlanta Hawks in the NBA few monts ago
Kel'el Ware (7'0''-C-2004, played in 2023-24) plays for Miami Heat in the NBA
Aljami Durham (6'4''-G-1998, played in 2017-21) plays for Cremona in Italian Serie A
Troy Williams (6'7''-SF-1994, played in 2013-16) plays for Venados de Mazatlan in Mexican CIBACOPA
Trey Galloway (6'5''-G-2001, played in 2020-25) plays for Santa Cruz Warriors in the NBA G League
Luke Goode (6'7''-F-2002, played in 2024-25) plays for South Bay Lakers in the NBA G League
Xavier Johnson (6'3''-G-1999, played in 2021-24) played for Sioux Falls Skyforce in the NBA G League last year
James Blackmon Jr. (6'4''-G-1995, played in 2014-18) plays for Stella Artois Leuven Bears in Belgian Pro Basketball League
Devonte Green (6'3''-G-1997, played in 2016-20) plays for Neftci in Azerbaijani ABL
Langdon Hatton (7'0''-C, played in 2024-25) plays for NTD in Azerbaijani ABL
Guy-Marc Michel (6'11''-C-1988, played in 2010-10) played for Castelnau Bsk in French NM3 last year
Victor Oladipo (6'4''-G-1992, played in 2010-13) plays for Wisconsin Herd in the NBA G League
Freddie McSwain Jr. (6'7''-SF-1994, played in 2017-18) played for FG Guasave in Mexican CIBAPac last year
Jordan Hulls (5'11''-SG-1990, played in 2009-13) played for Assembly Ball - Indiana Alumni in the The Basketball Tournament last year
Oumar Ballo (7'0''-C-2002, played in 2024-25) plays for Tigers in Rwandan RBL
Jalen Hood-Schifino (6'6''-G-2003, played in 2023-25) played for Philadelphia 76ers in the NBA Summer League last year
Josh Newkirk (6'1''-PG-1994, played in 2015-18) played for Dinamo Vladivostok in Russian Superleague last year
Notice: The list above includes only some of alumni playing currently in pro basketball. Check complete list of Indiana University basketball alumni.
|
|
|
Ex-Players
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
