LOGAN, Utah — There are currently 15 former Utah State men's basketball players on professional rosters worldwide, including two in the NBA. See how each of them have performed so far this season.
Sam Merrill, G, Cleveland Cavaliers — Merrill is in his sixth season in the NBA and fourth with the Cavaliers. Merrill averaged 12.5 points, 2.8 rebounds and 1.8 assists as he started each of Cleveland's four games last week, in which the Cavaliers went 3-1. Merrill currently ranks 11th in the league with 44 made 3-pointers.
Neemias Queta, C, Boston Celtics — Queta is in his fifth season in the NBA and third with the Celtics. Queta averaged 11.7 points, 9.0 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.3 blocks per game last week to help Boston to a 2-1 record. Queta, who has started each of Boston's 14 games, ranks eighth in offensive rebounds with 44 and 13th in the league in blocks with 19.
Darius Brown II, G, Cleveland Charge — Brown is in his second professional season, both with the Charge. Brown averaged 10.3 points, 9.3 assists and 3.7 rebounds per game during Cleveland's three games last week, helping the Charge to a 2-1 record. Brown ranks fifth in the G-League with 10.2 assists per game.
Taylor Funk, F, San Diego Clippers — Funk is in his third professional season and first with the Clippers. Funk averaged 16.5 points and 2.0 rebounds per game last week, helping San Diego to a 1-1 record. Funk scored 22 points on 6-12 shooting from beyond the arc in the Clippers' 113-106 win over the Salt Lake Stars on Nov. 14.
Dexter Akanno, SF, VET-CONCEPT Gladiators Trier — Akanno is in his first professional season and first with the Gladiators of the German BBL. Akanno scored two points and grabbed two rebounds in three minutes in Trier's 96-80 loss to Bayern München on Nov. 15.
Dan Akin, PF/C, Kolossos BC — Akin is in his third professional season and first with the Greek Basketball League's Kolossos. Akin scored two points and collected three rebounds and a steal in Kolossos' 86-71 loss to Iraklis on Nov. 16.
Justin Bean, F, Alba Berlin — Bean is in his fourth professional season and third with Alba Berlin of the German BBL. Bean averaged 11.5 points and 7.5 rebounds in Alba Berlin's two victories last week, including an 11-point, 10-rebound double-double in a 91-78 win over Jena.
Diogo Brito, G, Monbus Obradoiro — Brito is in his fifth professional season and first with Monbus Obradoiro of Spain's LEB Gold. Brito scored 16 points and snagged two steals in Obradoiro's 94-68 win over Cartagena on Nov. 15.
Kris Clark, G, Nakhchivan — Clark, who has been playing professional basketball since 2008, is in his first season with Nakhchivan in the Azerbaijani Basketball League. Clark played three minutes in Nakhchivan's 116-99 win over Sumqayit on Nov. 14.
RJ Eytle-Rock, G, EJ Sligo All-Stars — Eytle-Rock is in his third professional season and first as a player-coach with the Irish Men's Super League's EJ Sligo All-Stars. The All-Stars went 2-0 last week with wins over Killorglin and Tralee.
Aubin Gateretse, C, Limburg United — Gateretse is in his first professional season and first with Limburg United of Belgium's BNXT League. Gateretse scored four points and grabbed three rebounds in Limburg's 82-79 loss to Groningen on Nov. 14.
Brandon Horvath, C, BC Gargzdai-SC — Horvath is in his fourth professional season and first with BC Gargzdai-SC of the Lithuanian Basketball League. Gargzdai beat Nevezis 86-79 on Nov. 16, with Horvath scoring five points and collecting four rebounds.
Ian Martinez, G, Elitzur Yavne — Martinez is in his first professional season and first with Elitzur Yavne of the Israeli National League. Martinez scored 26 points, including a perfect 8-8 from the free throw line, and added three rebounds and two assists in Yavne's 96-82 loss to Otef Darom.
Shane Rector, G, Al Shamal Doha — Rector is in his ninth professional season and his first with Al Shamal Doha of the Qatari QBL. Rector has averaged 30.4 points, 7.2 assists and 5.8 rebounds per game so far this season, leading Al Shamal to a 3-2 record. Al Shamal is off until Dec. 6, when they will return to action against Qatar Club.
Chris Smith, G, Hiroshima Dragonflies — Smith is in his 10th professional season and his first with Hiroshima of the Japanese B1 League. Smith averaged 14.7 points, 5.0 rebounds and 3.3 assists per game during the Dragonflies' three games last week, where they went 2-1.
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