Courtesy of Eurobasket LLC We bring you last week's top former Chaparrals players who are currently playing in pro basketball.
Notice impressive performance of Steven Richardson (11 points), Malith Machar (23 points), and Daniel Poelsma (0 points).
#1. Steven Richardson, a 6'7'' guard who graduated from MSUB in 2024 after playing for Midland CC from 2019 to 2022, is currently showcasing his skills as a pro player in Australia. In a recent game, despite his commendable efforts, he couldn't steer the struggling Townsville Heat (3-7) to victory against the Seahawks, who are ranked lower at #11 in the North group. Richardson displayed his versatility on the court by achieving a double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds, along with contributing 8 assists during his 36 minutes of play. Despite his stellar performance, Townsville Heat fell short and lost 90-87 in a closely contested game against the Seahawks. Throughout the season, Richardson has consistently delivered exceptional performances, maintaining impressive averages of 17.9 points, 7.5 rebounds, 3.9 assists, and 1.5 steals per game in the 10 games he has played so far. Despite the challenges faced by his team, Richardson continues to shine individually as a standout player in the league.
#2. South Sudanese athlete Malith Machar, a towering 6'8'' forward at 27 years old, and a Chaparrals alum from 2020, currently showcases his skills playing professionally in Australia. In a recent game, Machar, representing the ninth-placed Sandringham Sabres with a 7-7 record, faced a tough matchup against the higher-ranked Thunder (#6) in the South group. Despite his exceptional performance, where he emerged as the top scorer with 23 points during his 34 minutes on the court, Sandringham Sabres unfortunately fell short, losing 78-87 on the road. In a standout game against Keilor T, Machar displayed his prowess by scoring 23 points, in addition to securing 2 rebounds and providing 1 assist. Despite Machar's stellar contributions, his team was unable to secure the victory. Throughout the season, Machar has consistently delivered strong performances, maintaining an impressive average of 20.6 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 1.4 assists per game across 11 appearances. Noteworthy is Machar's dual citizenship, holding American and South Sudanese nationality, which allows him to compete in South Sudan as a domestic player.
#3. Australian Daniel Poelsma, a 22-year-old forward standing at an impressive 6'8'', recently graduated from Midland CC in 2026 and is currently making waves in the professional basketball scene in Australia. Playing for a team in the Australian NBL One's second division, Poelsma showcased his talent in a recent game where the Diamond Valley Eagles emerged victorious against the 15th-ranked Falcons with a score of 100-85 on Monday night. Despite it being his first season in professional basketball, Poelsma proved to be a major contributor to his team's success, scoring 14 points in just 12 minutes of play. This remarkable performance highlighted his potential and skill on the court. The Diamond Valley Eagles, currently placed 14th in the South group, greatly benefited from Poelsma's abilities against the Falcons. In a notable game against Waverley F, Poelsma once again demonstrated his prowess by scoring 14 points, securing 2 rebounds, and providing 1 assist, ultimately leading his team to victory. With an average of 11.5 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 1.1 assist per game in 15 appearances, Poelsma has been consistently delivering solid performances throughout the season. Poelsma's exceptional talent, evident in his impressive stats and impactful contributions to his team's success, solidifies his position as a true champion in the making.
#4. In a thrilling match in the Belizean Belize Elite Basketball League, the Cayo Western Ballers, led by standout point guard Glency Lopez, emerged victorious against the Running Rebels with a score of 70-66. Lopez, a 28-year-old player standing at 5'11'' and an alum of Chaparrals from 2020, showcased his skills on the court, contributing 12 points and making 3 steals during his impressive 39 minutes of play. This game was highly anticipated as it featured a clash between two top 4 ranked teams in the league. The Cayo Western Ballers, currently positioned third in the league with a record of 7-4, secured a crucial win thanks to Lopez's stellar performance. This victory was particularly significant for the team as it marked their first win after suffering three consecutive losses. Lopez's impact on the game was undeniable, as he not only scored 12 points but also grabbed 3 rebounds and provided 1 assist against a tough opponent in the Running Rebels. His exceptional play was instrumental in leading his team to victory, further establishing his reputation as a true champion on the court. Individually, Glency Lopez has been having an outstanding year, showcasing impressive statistics across various categories. With averages of 15.2 points per game, 3.5 rebounds per game, 4.7 assists per game (ranking third in the league), and 2.7 steals per game (leading the league), Lopez has been a standout player in the Belize Elite Basketball League, consistently demonstrating his prowess and contributing significantly to his team's success as a finalist.
#5. Lithuanian Norbertas Giga, a 6'10'' forward/center who is 31 years old, graduated from Jax State in 2018. He honed his skills at Midland CC between 2015 and 2016, earning an All-WJCAC Honorable Mention award that year. Currently playing professionally in Paraguay, Giga showcased his talent for Colonias (10-4) in a recent match against the formidable Olimpia Kings (12-2) in the Paraguayan LNB. Despite his commendable effort, Giga's team fell short, losing 80-90 to the second-ranked Olimpia Kings in a closely contested derby game. During the game, Giga exhibited his prowess by contributing 9 points, securing 7 rebounds, and providing 2 assists in 31 minutes of play. Notably, he displayed accuracy from the free-throw line, making all five of his attempts. Despite Giga's impressive performance, Colonias could not secure the victory. Throughout the season, Giga has maintained solid statistics, averaging 11.8 points per game, 10.2 rebounds per game (ranking third in the league), 3.4 assists per game, and 1.5 steals per game over the course of 13 games. His consistent contributions on the court have been instrumental in bolstering Colonias' performance this season.
#6. DR Congolese basketball player Elijah Lufile, a 6'7'' forward/center at 28 years old, has been making waves in the Canadian basketball scene. After attending Midland CC between 2018 and 2019, he went on to become a Golden Eagles alumnus in 2022. Currently playing professionally in Canada, Lufile recently showcased his skills in a game against the Alliance, helping his team secure a convincing 93-75 victory on a Saturday night. In that game, Lufile made a significant impact by scoring 8 points in just 16 minutes of play. His performance was particularly impressive during a match-up against Montreal, where he not only scored 8 points but also grabbed 2 rebounds and provided 1 assist, leading his team to another victory. His crucial contributions on the court were instrumental in securing the win and solidifying his status as a champion. Throughout this year, Lufile has been averaging 7.1 points per game and 3.8 rebounds per game across eight games, showcasing his consistency and skill on the court. Furthermore, it is noteworthy that Lufile holds dual citizenship in both the United States and DR Congo, allowing him to play in DR Congo as a domestic player, further expanding his versatility and opportunities in the world of basketball.
#7. Canadian Trent Johnson, a 6'6'' forward who graduated from HCU in 2026, previously played for Midland CC from 2021 to 2023, aiding them in clinching the NJCAA D1 Southwest District Champion title during his tenure. Currently plying his trade professionally in Canada, Johnson recently contributed to Montreal Alliance's triumph over the Honey Badgers with a scoreline of 105-92 in a Canadian Elite Basketball League match on Wednesday night. Despite only tallying 3 points in 11 minutes of play, Johnson's presence was felt on the court. In another game against Brampton, he managed to score 3 points and provide 1 assist, crucial in securing the victory and ultimately being crowned the champion. Throughout this season, Johnson has been averaging 3.8 points per game and 1.9 rebounds per game across 10 games played.
Other former Midland College players, who play in pro basketball:
Daeshon Francis (6'4''-G-1996, played in 2015-16) plays for Bnei Hertzeliya in Israeli Winner League
Kayo Manfio (6'8''-F-1999, played in 2016-18) plays for Clube de Regatas do Flamengo in Brazilian NBB
Torren Jones (6'9''-F/C-1994, played in 2014-15) plays for Caballeros de Culiacan in Mexican CIBACOPA
Aly Ahmed (6'9''-F-1992, played in 2012-13) plays for Al Ittihad Alexandria in Egyptian Superleague
Ilija Varajic (6'6''-F-2002, played in 2024-25) plays for Sutjeska in Montenegrin Erste Liga
Jordan Jackson (6'3''-G-1997, played in 2016-17) played for Windy City Bulls in the NBA G League few monts ago
Dontay Caruthers (6'1''-G-1995, played in 2014-15) plays for Bosna in Bosnia and Herzegovina Division I
Derrick Ogechi (6'3''-G-1998, played in 2018-20) plays for Thunder in Kenyan Premier League
Majok Majok (6'11''-F/C-1992, played in 2010-12) plays for Albury Wodonga Bandits in Australian NBL One
Thomas Miles (6'3''-G-1998, played in 2019-20) plays for P.Olimpas in Lithuanian NKL
Elias Poorman (6'4''-G-2000, played in 2019-20) plays for Reading Rockets in British BCB
Ben Tew (6'9''-F-1994, played in 2019-20) plays for Yorkshire Dragons in British BCB
Kevin Kangu (6'4''-G-1998, played in 2017-18) plays for Satya Wacana in Indonesian IBL
Kirk Smith (6'8''-F-2000, played in 2019-20) plays for EZ Investments Dream Ballers in Belizean BEBL
Daviin Davis (6'4''-G/F-1985, played in 2005-06) played for Dourges in French NM2 last year
Matteo Tersillo (6'6''-G/F-2001, played in 2023-24) played for Termoli AirBskt in Italian Serie B Interregionale last year
Jachai Simmons (6'7''-SF-1996, played in 2015-17) played for Fire Family in the The Basketball Tournament last year
Bryant Evans (6'2''-G) played for Texas Seraphim in the ABA last year
Erkam Kiris (6'8''-F-1998, played in 2017-18) played for Zuera in Spanish 1Div last year
Liam Davis (6'7''-F-1997, played in 2024-25) plays for Kissimmee Lambs in the TBL
Grant Weatherford (6'2''-G-1996, played in 2016-17) plays for Hamilton County Huskers in the TBL
Nyaduoth Lok (5'11''-G-2000, played in 2019-21) plays for Casey Cavaliers in Australian NBL One
Jamil Bowles (6'5''-G/F-2003, played in 2022-23) plays for Semedes in Costa Rican LSB
Jonathon Simmons (6'6''-G-1989, played in 2009-10) played for Boston Ball Hogs in the Big3 last year
Notice: The list above includes only some of alumni playing currently in pro basketball. Check complete list of Midland College basketball alumni.
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