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 three games last week, in which the Cavaliers went 1-2. Merrill currently ranks 15th 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 played in one of Boston's three games last week, scoring a career-best 19 points on 7-8 shooting and collecting a career-high 18 rebounds and two blocks in a 119-115 loss to Minnesota on Nov. 29. Queta ranks sixth in the league with a .645 field goal percentage, 10th in offensive rebounds with 60 and 14th in blocks with 25.
Darius Brown II, G, Cleveland Charge — Brown is in his second professional season, both with the Charge. Brown averaged 11.0 points, 10.0 assists, 6.5 rebounds and 3.0 steals per game as Cleveland split two road games against the Windy City Bulls last week. Brown leads the G-League with 96 assists and ranks tied for third in steals with 21.
Taylor Funk, F, San Diego Clippers — Funk is in his third professional season and first with the Clippers. Funk started twice and averaged 22.0 points, 8.0 rebounds and 2.0 assists while shooting 60.6 percent from the field in San Diego's two wins over the South Bay Lakers last week. Funk is shooting 53.8 percent from beyond the arc this season, leading the G-League.
Dexter Akanno, SF, VET-CONCEPT Gladiators Trier — Akanno is in his first professional season with the Gladiators of the German BBL. Akanno has averaged 2.4 points and 0.9 rebounds per game in all competitions this season, helping Trier to an 8-3 overall record. The Gladiators are off until Dec. 6, when they will return to action against Ludwigsburg.
Dan Akin, PF/C, Kolossos BC — Akin is in his third professional season and first with the Greek Basketball League's Kolossos. Akin, representing the United Kingdom in FIBA World Cup qualifying, averaged 6.0 points and 3.5 rebounds as his team lost to Lithuania 89-88 and beat Iceland 90-84.
Justin Bean, F, Alba Berlin — Bean is in his fourth professional season and third with Alba Berlin of the German BBL. Bean has averaged 10.5 points and 5.9 rebounds per game in all competitions this season, helping Alba to a 10-3 overall record. Alba Berlin is off until Dec. 7, when they will return to action against Frankfurt.
Diogo Brito, G, Monbus Obradoiro — Brito is in his fifth professional season and first with Monbus Obradoiro of Spain's LEB Gold. Brito, representing Portugal in FIBA World Cup qualifying, averaged 9.5 points, 3.5 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 2.0 steals as Portugal beat Montenegro 83-62 and fell to Greece, 76-68.
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 are off until Dec. 14, when they will next face off against the UCC Demons.
Aubin Gateretse, C, Limburg United — Gateretse is in his first professional season with Limburg United of Belgium's BNXT League. Gateretse is averaging 5.1 points and 4.1 rebounds per game so far this season, helping Limburg to a 4-5 record. Limburg United is off until Dec. 5, when they will next play against Kortrijk.
Brandon Horvath, C, BC Gargzdai-SC — Horvath is in his fourth professional season and first with BC Gargzdai-SC of the Lithuanian Basketball League. Horvath is averaging 7.1 points and 3.4 rebounds in 10 games for Gargzdu, who is 4-6 on the season.
Ian Martinez, G, Elitzur Yavne — Martinez is in his first professional season with Elitzur Yavne of the Israeli National League. Martinez scored six points and collected 11 rebounds and four assists in Yavne's 82-76 win over Maccabi Ma'ale Adumim.
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.
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