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 was not active due to injury during Cleveland's four games last week, in which the Cavaliers went 2-2. Merrill currently ranks 17th in the league with a 3-point percentage of .444.
Neemias Queta, C, Boston Celtics — Queta is in his fifth season in the NBA and third with the Celtics. Queta averaged 9.3 points, 7.0 rebounds, 1.7 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 17 games this season, ranks seventh in the league with a .628 field goal percentage, 11th in offensive rebounds with 52 and 13th in blocks with 23.
Darius Brown II, G, Cleveland Charge — Brown is in his second professional season, both with the Charge. Brown averaged 7.7 points, 8.3 assists and 2.7 rebounds per game during Cleveland's three games last week, helping the Charge to a 2-1 record. Brown ranks fourth in the G-League with 9.5 assists per game.
Taylor Funk, F, San Diego Clippers — Funk is in his third professional season and first with the Clippers. Funk started and scored 22 points on 8-13 shooting, including 6-9 from beyond the arc, and added six rebounds and three assists in San Diego's 129-118 win over the Rip City Remix on Nov. 23.
Dexter Akanno, SF, VET-CONCEPT Gladiators Trier — Akanno is in his first professional season with the Gladiators of the German BBL. Akanno scored two points and grabbed one rebound in four minutes in Trier's 95-94 loss to Jena on Nov. 19.
Dan Akin, PF/C, Kolossos BC — Akin is in his third professional season and first with the Greek Basketball League's Kolossos. Akin scored six points and collected two rebounds in Kolossos' 80-72 loss to Peristeri on Nov. 22.
Justin Bean, F, Alba Berlin — Bean is in his fourth professional season and third with Alba Berlin of the German BBL. Bean scored 11 points and snagged nine rebounds in an 89-85 win over Chemnitz.
Diogo Brito, G, Monbus Obradoiro — Brito is in his fifth professional season and first with Monbus Obradoiro of Spain's LEB Gold. Brito scored 14 points and collected five rebounds in Obradoiro's 99-89 win over Palma Fibwi on Nov. 23.
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 averaged 2.0 points, 1.3 assists and 1.2 rebounds in 9.2 minutes per game for Nakhchivan, who compiled a 5-2 record.
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 lost 94-77 to Ballincollig on Nov. 22.
Aubin Gateretse, C, Limburg United — Gateretse is in his first professional season with Limburg United of Belgium's BNXT League. Gateretse scored 11 points and grabbed nine rebounds in Limburg's 85-81 loss to Mechelen on Nov. 22.
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 Siauliai 94-83 on Nov. 22, with Horvath scoring two points and collecting three assists and two steals.
Ian Martinez, G, Elitzur Yavne — Martinez is in his first professional season with Elitzur Yavne of the Israeli National League. Martinez scored 21 points and added eight rebounds and three assists in Yavne's 104-103 loss to Hapoel Haifa.
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 has averaged 19.3 points, 3.9 rebounds and 3.3 assists in 18 games for Hiroshima, who are 11-7. The Dragonflies are off until Dec. 6, when they will return to action against Ryukyu GK.
-USU-
