Courtesy of Eurobasket LLC Every week we bring you a list of the top former Cougars players who continue their career in pro basketball.
Especially interesting is good performance of Andrej Jakimovski (13 points), Mael Hamon-Crespin (21 points), and Adria Rodriguez (0 points).
#1. In a thrilling match on Tuesday night, North Macedonian champion, Andrej Jakimovski, a 6'8'' forward at 25 years old, showcased his talent leading Dolomiti Energia Trentino to a hard-fought victory against the league finalist, Virtus Bologna, with a score of 87-84 in the Italian Serie A. Despite the tough competition, Jakimovski managed to contribute 13 crucial points in just 29 minutes of play. Having graduated from Colorado in 2025, Jakimovski previously played for WSU between 2021 and 2024 before making his mark in the professional league in Italy. This season marks his debut with Dolomiti Energia Trentino, where his impact has been significant. Currently, the team is positioned ninth in the league standings with a record of 12-16. Against the formidable Virtus Bologna, Jakimovski's performance was outstanding, as he not only scored 13 points but also secured 1 rebound and provided 2 assists. His contributions were instrumental in securing the victory and establishing his team as the champion of the game. Throughout the season, Jakimovski has maintained an impressive average of 8.9 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 1.1 assists per game in the 32 games he has played so far. It is noteworthy that Jakimovski possesses dual citizenship, being both American and North Macedonian, allowing him to play in North Macedonia as a domestic player, showcasing his versatility and international appeal.
#2. French Mael Hamon-Crespin, a 21-year-old former Cougars alumnus from 2023 who currently plays professionally in France, recently showcased his skills on the court for Champagne. In their recent game against the second-ranked Pau-Lacq-Orthez, Hamon-Crespin delivered an impressive performance, scoring 21 points and contributing 2 blocks in just 24 minutes of play. This solid performance highlighted his potential as a champion player. Despite his notable contributions, Champagne narrowly lost the game 89-87 on the road. Hamon-Crespin's performance in the game reflects his growth in his third season in professional basketball. Throughout the season, he has maintained relatively good stats, averaging 12.0 points per game and 3.7 rebounds per game in 41 appearances. His consistent performance and contributions have solidified his position as a finalist in the league, showcasing his talent and determination on the court.
#3. Spanish champion Adria Rodriguez, a 6'4'' guard who is 23 years old and graduated from WSU in 2026, currently plays professionally in Spain. In a recent match, he was unable to lead Hiopos Forca Lleida (12-21) to victory against MoraBanc Andorra (10-23) in the Spanish Liga Endesa. Despite his solid performance of scoring 5 points, grabbing 4 rebounds, and blocking 2 shots in 18 minutes, his team suffered a crushing 116-88 defeat in Andorra by the lower-ranked (#16) MoraBanc. With only one more game left in the Regular Season, Rodriguez and his team face a critical match ahead. Despite his impressive contributions during the game against Andorra, where he also added 2 assists to his stats, Hiopos Forca Lleida was unable to secure a win. Throughout this season, Rodriguez has been averaging 3.6 points, 1.9 rebounds, and 1.6 assists per game in the eight games played so far. Despite the challenges faced by his team, Rodriguez continues to showcase his skills and determination as a professional basketball player in Spain.
#4. Charles Callison, a 6'1'' point guard and 30-year-old alumnus of the Cougars from 2017, currently plays professionally in Israel. In a recent match, Callison was unable to lead Urban Latti Kiryat Ata (8-16) to victory against Ramat Gan (9-16) in the Israeli Winner League, with his team ultimately losing 83-90. Despite his solid performance of 6 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 assists in 26 minutes of play, Urban Latti Kiryat Ata fell short against the higher-ranked Ramat Gan (#9). As the regular season nears its end, every game becomes crucial for the teams. Callison has been performing well this year, averaging 10.0 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 5.5 assists per game over the course of two games. His standout effort against Ramat Gan showcased his skills, but unfortunately, it was not enough to secure a victory for his team.
#5. Viont'e Daniels, a 6'2'' guard who graduated from WSU in 2019 and currently plays professionally in Hungary, recently guided Veszprem to a decisive 103-88 victory over the closely-ranked Ujbuda MAFC in the Hungarian Nemzeti Bajnoksag I/B Piros (second division) during Thursday night's game. In a stellar display, Daniels was named the MVP of the game after scoring 23 points, securing 3 rebounds, and distributing 6 assists in 38 minutes on the court. Veszprem Kosarlabda Klub, with a record of 14-12, holds the sixth position in the league standings, thanks in part to Daniels' exceptional contributions. This win marked the team's fourth consecutive victory, showcasing their strong form. Notably, this is Daniels' first season with the team, and he has made a significant impact since joining. Against Ujbuda MAFC, Daniels exhibited outstanding skills, demonstrating why he is a champion player, with his impressive performance leading his team to victory. His remarkable season statistics further underscore his prowess, averaging 23.4 points per game (the second best in the league), along with 5.8 rebounds, 5.0 assists, and 1.8 steals per game across 18 appearances. Daniels' consistent excellence on the court has undoubtedly been instrumental in his team's success as they strive for further achievements in the league.
#6. German champion Simon Hildebrandt, a 6'9'' forward who is 23 years old and an alumnus of the Cougars class of 2026, showcased his professional skills in Canada by leading his team to an impressive victory over the River Lions, with a final score of 97-71 in the Canadian Elite Basketball League during Friday night's game. Hildebrandt played a key role in the match, scoring 7 points, grabbing 6 rebounds, and providing 2 assists in just 24 minutes on the court. His standout performance was instrumental in securing the champion title for his team against the River Lions. Throughout the season, Hildebrandt has been consistent, averaging 5.0 points per game and 2.6 rebounds per game over five games. Notably, he holds dual citizenship in both the United States and Germany, giving him the opportunity to play as a domestic player in Germany as well.
Other former Washington State University players, who play in pro basketball:
Michael Flowers (6'1''-G-1999, played in 2021-22) plays for Aliaga Petkimspor Izmir in Turkish BSL
Jaylen Wells (6'7''-F-2003, played in 2023-24) plays for Memphis Grizzlies in the NBA
Klay Thompson (6'6''-G-1990, played in 2008-11) plays for Dallas Mavericks in the NBA
Isaac Jones (6'9''-F-2000, played in 2023-24) plays for Detroit Pistons in the NBA
Cedric Coward (6'6''-F-2003, played in 2025-25) plays for Memphis Grizzlies in the NBA
Mouhamed Gueye (6'10''-F-2002) plays for Atlanta Hawks in the NBA
Ethan Price (6'10''-F-2001, played in 2024-25) plays for London Lions in British SLB
Ike Iroegbu (6'2''-PG-1995, played in 2013-17) plays for Itelyum Varese in Italian Serie A
Brock Motum (6'10''-F-1990, played in 2009-13) plays for Toyama Grouses in Japanese B1 League
CJ Elleby (6'6''-F-2000, played in 2018-20) plays for Hapoel Altshuler Shaham Beer Sheva in Israeli Winner League
DJ Rodman (6'6''-F-2001, played in 2019-23) plays for Greensboro Swarm in the NBA G League
Efemina Abogidi (6'10''-C-2001, played in 2018-22) plays for Rio Grande Valley Vipers in the NBA G League
Justin Powell (6'6''-G-2001, played in 2022-23) played for Texas Legends in the NBA G League few monts ago
Dane Erikstrup (6'10''-F-2003, played in 2024-25) plays for Groningen in Dutch DBL
Robert Franks (6'9''-F-1996, played in 2015-19) plays for Cyberdyne Ibaraki Robots in Japanese B1 League
Josh Hawkinson (6'10''-F-1995, played in 2013-17) plays for Sunrockers Shibuya in Japanese B1 League
Jervae Robinson (6'2''-G-1998, played in 2018-20) plays for Al Shams in Egyptian Superleague
Tyrell Roberts (5'11''-PG-1999, played in 2017-22) plays for Zamora in Spanish Primera FEB
Notice: The list above includes only some of alumni playing currently in pro basketball. Check complete list of Washington State University basketball alumni.
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Ex-Players
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