Courtesy of Eurobasket LLC We bring you last week's top former Commodores players who are currently playing in pro basketball.
Notice impressive performance of Wade Baldwin IV (10 points), Ezra Manjon (12 points), and Clevon Brown (18 points).
#1. Wade Baldwin IV, a 6'4'' point guard who graduated from Vanderbilt in 2016 and received the All-SEC Second Team award, currently plays professionally in Turkey. In a recent game, he was unable to help Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul (24-14) as they suffered a decisive 79-61 defeat at the hands of Olympiacos. Despite Baldwin IV's solid performance of 10 points, 5 rebounds, and 6 assists in 31 minutes of play, Fenerbahce was unable to secure a victory, marking their fifth consecutive loss. Throughout the season, Baldwin IV has maintained impressive statistics, averaging 14.0 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 5.5 assists per game in the 42 games he has played so far. His contributions on the court have been notable, showcasing his skills and value to the team, even in the face of challenging circumstances such as the recent loss to Olympiacos.
#2. Ezra Manjon, a 6'0'' point guard and 25-year-old alumnus of Commodores from 2024, currently playing professionally in Italy, showcased his skills as a champion by leading Tortona to a decisive 89-71 victory over the closely-ranked Umana Venezia in a recent Italian Serie A game. In the matchup, Manjon displayed his prowess with 12 points, 4 rebounds, and 5 assists in just 26 minutes of play. This standout performance helped Bertram Yachts Derthona Tortona, currently holding the fifth spot in the league with a record of 17-11, secure the win. Notably, this is Manjon's debut season with the team, and he has been making significant contributions on the court. Manjon's exceptional performance against Venezia highlights his skills and determination as a finalist, as he played a pivotal role in guiding his team to victory. Throughout the season, he has been maintaining an average of 6.9 points, 1.4 rebounds, and 2.5 assists per game over 22 appearances, further solidifying his position as a key player for Tortona. His consistent contributions and standout plays reflect his potential as a champion in the league.
#3. In the recent game, Clevon Brown, a 6'8'' forward who graduated from FIU in 2022 and previously played for Vanderbilt from 2016 to 2021, showcased his skills for Opava. Despite his remarkable performance, Opava, currently in fifth place with an 18-18 record, suffered a tough 95-67 defeat at home against the leading team, Nymburk, in the Places 1-8 group. Brown stood out as the top scorer with 18 points, along with contributing 8 rebounds and 2 blocks in just 23 minutes of play. Despite his impressive display on the court, his team could not secure the victory against the formidable opponent. Throughout the season, Brown has maintained solid statistics, averaging 11.9 points, 7.2 rebounds, 1.1 assists, and 1.5 blocks per game, which ranks him as the second-best shot blocker in the league. His consistent performance highlights his valuable contributions to the team, even in challenging matchups against top-tier opponents like Nymburk.
#4. Canadian Simi Shittu, a 26-year-old 6'10'' center and Vanderbilt University alumnus from the class of 2019, is currently playing professionally in Lebanon. In a recent match in the Lebanese Decathlon Lebanese Basketball League, Shittu proved to be a key player for Sagesse as they secured a decisive victory over the closely-ranked Al Markaziyyah with a commanding scoreline of 99-73. Scoring an impressive 25 points, grabbing 8 rebounds, and providing 1 assist in just 24 minutes of play, Shittu made a significant impact in his debut game for Sagesse this season. This particular game was a highly anticipated matchup between two top 4 ranked teams in the league, where Shittu's team currently holds the second position. The victory marked Sagesse's seventh consecutive win, further solidifying their position near the top of the standings. With only two games remaining in the Regular Season, each upcoming match will be crucial for the team's final placement. Having joined Sagesse for the first time this year, Shittu's stellar performance on the court exemplified his prowess as a champion player. His remarkable display of skill and contribution to the team's success truly highlighted his potential as a future finalist in the league.
#5. Luke Kornet, a 30-year-old professional basketball player standing at 7'2'' and with a background as a graduate of Vanderbilt University in 2017, has been making waves in the NBA. Recently, he played a key role in his team's dominant 103-82 victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder, contributing 6 points, 7 rebounds, and 2 blocks in just 14 minutes of play. This stellar performance helped secure the team's third consecutive win, highlighting Kornet's impact as a valuable asset on the court. Despite the San Antonio Spurs holding a somewhat lackluster 62-21 record this season, Kornet's arrival has injected new energy into the team. In his first year with the Spurs, he has been showcasing his talent and determination, embodying the spirit of a true champion. His consistent contributions have been reflected in his season averages of 6.4 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 1.7 assists per game across 84 games. With his impressive display against the OKC Thunder, Kornet has proven himself as a reliable player capable of rising to the occasion when it matters most. As he continues to make his mark in the league, he is undoubtedly on the path to further success as a finalist in the making.
#6. Experienced Swedish champion Jeffery Taylor, standing at 6'7'' and 37 years old, is a former Commodores alumnus from 2012 who played a pivotal role in helping them win the SEC Tournament that year. Currently playing professionally in Romania, Taylor showcased his skills for U-Banca Transilvania Cluj Napoca as they triumphed over the fourth-ranked Craiova with a resounding 103-83 victory in the Romanian Liga Nationala Baschet de Masculin during Wednesday night's game. Despite scoring just 4 points and providing 4 assists in 16 minutes of play, Taylor's impact on the court was undeniable. His stellar performance against Craiova included 4 points, 2 rebounds, and 4 assists, proving instrumental in securing the victory for his team. Taylor's consistent contributions were crucial in helping his team emerge as the finalist. In the current season, Taylor maintains an average of 4.8 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 2.4 assists per game over five matches. Notably, Taylor is a naturalized Swedish player, bringing a wealth of experience and talent to the court.
#7. Evan Taylor, a 24-year-old guard/forward standing at 6'6'' who graduated from Vanderbilt in 2024 and currently plays professionally in Holland, made a significant impact in his debut game for Donar Groningen. In a decisive victory over ZZ Leiden with a final score of 91-68 in the Dutch Basketball League, Taylor contributed 3 points and 1 assist during his 6 minutes on the court. Despite his modest individual statistics, his presence and performance were crucial in guiding his team to success, highlighting his abilities as a true champion.
Other former Vanderbilt University players, who play in pro basketball:
Saben Lee (6'2''-G-1999, played in 2017-23) plays for Anadolu Efes Istanbul in Turkish BSL
Jeff Roberson (6'6''-PF-1996, played in 2014-18) played for SIG Strasbourg in French Betclic ELITE ProA few monts ago
Jordan Wright (6'6''-G/F-2000, played in 2019-23) plays for Hapoel Holon in Israeli Winner League
Aaron Nesmith (6'6''-G/F-1999, played in 2018-20) plays for Indiana Pacers in the NBA
Scotty Pippen Jr. (6'1''-G-2000, played in 2019-22) plays for Memphis Grizzlies in the NBA
Chris Manon (6'5''-G-2001, played in 2024-25) plays for Los Angeles Lakers in the NBA
Darius Garland (6'2''-G-2000, played in 2018-19) plays for Los Angeles Clippers in the NBA
Quentin Millora-Brown (6'10''-F-2000, played in 2019-23) plays for Chiba Jets in Japanese B1 League
John Jenkins (6'4''-G-1991, played in 2009-12) plays for Adelaide 36ers in Australian NBL
Tasos Kamateros (6'8''-F-2000, played in 2023-24) plays for Lavrio in Greek Elite League
Damian Jones (6'11''-C-1995, played in 2013-16) plays for Zhejiang Golden Bulls in Chinese CBA
A.J. Hoggard (6'4''-G-2000, played in 2024-25) plays for Raptors 905 Mississauga in the NBA G League
Rodney Chatman (6'3''-G-1998, played in 2021-22) plays for B.Braun Sheffield Sharks in British SLB
Tyrin Lawrence (6'4''-G, played in 2020-24) plays for Surrey 89ers in British SLB
Liam Robbins (7'0''-F-1999) plays for Rip City Remix in the NBA G League
Notice: The list above includes only some of alumni playing currently in pro basketball. Check complete list of Vanderbilt University basketball alumni.
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