RIO GRANDE VALLEY – There are at least 13 players who previously played for The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) men's basketball team that have played, currently play, or will play professional basketball in 2023-24. Here is an update on how some of them are doing, courtesy of
Eurobasket:
Former UTRGV players that are currently playing professional basketball:
Javon Levi (2017-21) enters his second season with KK Dubrovnik in the Croatian HT Premijer Liga. He scored 15 points with 11 rebounds, seven assists, and four steals in a 72-59 victory over Zabok. Last season, Levi helped KK Dubrovnik earn a promotion to the First Men's Basketball League. KK Durbrovnik sits in second place in the Premijer Lega Standings.
Lesley Varner II (2016-20) began his third year of professional basketball with SK Slavia Praha of the Czech Republic NBL by scoring 28 points with eight rebounds, and two blocks in a 115-112 victory over Sokol Pisek. Varner is averaging 22.2 points and 7.2 rebounds per game through three games.
Shaquille Hines (2012-16) is playing for Bambitious Nara in Japanese B2 League, for whom he scored 21 points in back-to-back games to open the season. Hines is averaging 21.0 points and 10.0 rebounds per game.
Janari Joesaar (2014-15) enters his second season with reigning FIBA Europe Cup champion Anwil Wloclawek of the Polish EBL and was efficient in the first game of the season, scoring 11 points with three assists while shooting 57% from the field in 14 minutes to defeat Trefl 91-83.
Paul Stoll (2006-08) returns to Fuerza Regia de Monterrey in the Mexican LNBP for the 2023-24 season. Stoll leads Fuerza Regia with 5.0 assists per game. Stoll recently led Team Mexico in the 2023 FIBA World Cup, where he averaged 7.2 assists per game, tied for sixth among all players in the tournament.
Luis Valera (2008-10) entered the new season with Guadalajara in the Spain-EBA Division B-A by recording a double-double with 22 points and 10 rebounds. Valera is averaging 20.0 points and 7.0 rebounds per game through two games.
Other former UTRGV players, who have played professional basketball recently:
Johnny Crnogorac (2017-19) played for Sydney City Comets in Australian NBL One in the spring of 2023.
Jordan Jackson (2017-20) played for Antranik in the Lebanon-LBL in the spring of 2023, averaging a team-high 26.3 points and 4.6 assists per game. Jackson played for JUCO Products in The Basketball Tournament over the summer.
Justin Johnson (2021-23) was part of the Houston Rockets NBA 2K24 Summer League team in 2023.
Perry Petty (2010-11) signed with Ahly Benghazi in Libyan D1. In the spring of 2023, started for Shahrdari Gorgan in the WASL and averaged a team-high 21.6 points and 4.2 assists per game. Perry also finished second on the team with 6.3 rebounds per game.
Marek Nelson (2019-22) played for Team Phoenix in the Eurobasket Summer League in 2023.
Lew Stallworth (2015-18) played for Team Trouble in the ABA in the spring of 2023.
Note:
The list above includes only some of the alumni currently playing in pro basketball. For the full list, click here.
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