Courtesy of Eurobasket LLC Every week we bring you a list of the top former Blue Demons players who continue their career in pro basketball.
#1. Experienced Cleveland Melvin, a 6'8" forward who is 35 years old and graduated from DePaul University in 2014, currently plays professionally in Greece. In his first season with Iraklis, Melvin has been making a significant impact on the court. However, despite his strong individual efforts, he was unable to help Iraklis secure a win in their most recent game. Iraklis, holding a 2-2 record, faced a tough challenge on the road against the lower-ranked (#5) Tartu team. The game was extremely close, but Iraklis was narrowly edged out with a final score of 101-100. Melvin stood out as the second-best scorer on his team, putting up an impressive 21 points. In addition to his scoring, he contributed 4 rebounds, 3 assists, and 3 steals over 32 minutes of play, showcasing his all-around skills and versatility. Throughout the season so far, Melvin has maintained relatively strong statistics, averaging 14.5 points per game, 4.0 rebounds per game, 1.3 assists per game, and 1.5 steals per game across the four games he has played. His consistent performance demonstrates his value to the team as they continue to compete in the league. Despite the recent narrow loss, Melvin’s impressive play highlights his role as a key player for Iraklis this season.
#2. Javon Freeman-Liberty, a 6'3'' shooting guard and 27-year-old Blue Demons alumnus from the 2022 class who earned the All-Big East Second Team honors that year, is currently playing professional basketball in Turkey. Despite his commendable efforts, he was unable to help his team, Bursaspor Basketbol, which holds a 1-5 record, in their most recent game. In a tightly contested match held in Izmir, Bursaspor was narrowly defeated 86-83 by the significantly higher-ranked (#7) Pinar Karsiyaka. Freeman-Liberty was the standout player for Bursaspor, finishing as the top scorer with an impressive 26 points. In addition to his scoring, he contributed 6 rebounds over 33 minutes on the court, along with 2 assists, demonstrating his all-around impact during the game. This loss marked Bursaspor Basketbol's third consecutive defeat, highlighting some struggles for the team early in the season. However, as it is still the initial phase of the campaign, there remains plenty of time for the team to turn things around and improve their standing. This season represents Freeman-Liberty’s first year with Bursaspor Basketbol, and he has been delivering an outstanding individual performance despite the team’s challenges. He boasts strong statistical averages, putting up 18.8 points per game, 3.5 rebounds per game, 2.8 assists per game, and 1.2 steals per game across the six games he has played so far. His consistent high-level play underscores his role as a key contributor and a player to watch as the season progresses.
#3. Paul Reed Jr., a 6'9'' forward and 27-year-old professional basketball player who graduated from DePaul University in 2020 and earned the All-Big East Second Team award that same year, has been making significant contributions in the NBA. In Wednesday night's game, Reed Jr. was a major contributor to the Detroit Pistons' 97-89 victory over the Charlotte Hornets, who held a 3-5 record entering the matchup. Reed Jr. played an impressive 39 minutes, during which he scored 16 points and grabbed 4 rebounds, playing a vital role in securing the win for his team. This victory marked the Pistons' third consecutive triumph, improving their season record to a solid 6-1. Individually, Reed Jr. is having a standout year, posting strong statistics across the board. Over seven games, he is averaging 13.4 points per game (ppg), 6.7 rebounds per game (rpg), 2.1 assists per game (apg), and 1.3 steals per game (spg). His consistent performance and leadership on the court have been instrumental in his team's success, effectively making him the champion of the game and a key figure to watch as the season progresses.
#4. Max Strus, a 6'6'' guard and 30-year-old Blue Demons alumnus from the class of 2019, notably helped his college team reach the CBI Championship Finalist that year. Currently playing professionally in the NBA, Strus recently made his debut for the Los Angeles Clippers in their latest game. Despite his strong individual performance, he was unable to help the Clippers avoid a defeat, as they fell 118-125 to the Toronto Raptors. In this game, Strus scored an impressive 11 points, grabbed 4 rebounds, and dished out 6 assists over 24 minutes of play. This marked his first appearance for the Clippers this season, and although his contributions were significant—boosting the team’s offense, supporting defensively by securing rebounds, and facilitating scoring opportunities for his teammates—the Clippers suffered their sixth consecutive loss, dropping their record to 1-6. This season represents Strus' first year with the Los Angeles Clippers, and while his performance showed promise, the team has yet to find a winning formula.
#5. Canadian champion Nick Ongenda, a 6'11'' center and 26-year-old graduate of DePaul University in 2023, is currently playing professionally in Spain. Ongenda, who is in his first season with the league outsider Kids&Us Manresa, recently competed in a challenging match against Baskonia in the Spanish Liga Endesa. Despite his strong individual performance—scoring 8 points and grabbing 8 rebounds in just 16 minutes—he was unable to help his team overcome Baskonia. The bottom-ranked Kids&Us Manresa, which has lost all six of its regular-season games so far, suffered a heavy defeat, losing 106-83 in Vitoria to the much higher-ranked (#7) Baskonia. Ongenda’s contributions on the court were notable, as he continues to maintain relatively solid statistics this season, averaging 10.5 points per game, 4.7 rebounds per game, and 1.5 blocks per game across six games. Despite the team’s struggles, Ongenda’s individual efforts highlight his potential as a key player moving forward.
#6. Swiss player Brendan Favre, a 6'5'' guard/forward and 27-year-old Blue Demons alumnus from the class of 2023, currently playing professionally in Switzerland, was the major contributor in Pully's impressive 91-73 victory over the eighth-ranked Lugano in Saturday night's Swiss Basketball League game. Favre showcased his skill and versatility by recording 14 points, grabbing 4 rebounds, and dishing out 1 assist over 33 minutes of play. His performance was instrumental in securing the win for his team against a highly ranked opponent. Over the course of the season, Favre has had an outstanding individual year, maintaining strong statistics with an average of 16.0 points per game and 4.0 rebounds per game across seven contests. His consistent high-level play continues to make him a key asset for Pully in the league.
#7. British Virgin Islands' Eral Penn, a 6'7'' forward and 28-year-old professional basketball player, graduated from DePaul University in 2023 and currently competes professionally in Montenegro. In a recent matchup, Penn was unable to help the league outsider Derby secure a victory against Ilirija. During the game, he played 29 minutes and scored 7 points, contributing an impressive performance that also included 2 rebounds and 1 assist. Despite his valuable efforts on the court, Derby was narrowly defeated with a final score of 84-82. This season, Penn is averaging 3.6 points per game and 1.4 rebounds per game over the course of five games. Notably, he is a naturalized Virgin Islander, adding to his diverse background and international experience.
#8. Isaiah Stone Rivera, a 6'5'' guard and a 25-year-old Blue Demons alumnus from the class of 2025, currently plays professional basketball in Spain. On Saturday night, he played a pivotal role in Zamora's surprising and thrilling 90-89 victory over the eighth-ranked Albacete in the Spanish Primera FEB, the country's second division league. During the game, Stone Rivera showcased his skills by scoring an impressive 10 points, grabbing 4 rebounds, and providing 2 assists over 27 minutes of play. His contributions were instrumental in helping Zamora secure the narrow win. Throughout this season, Stone Rivera has maintained solid performance statistics, averaging 12.5 points per game, 3.2 rebounds, 1.5 assists, and 1.5 steals per game across six contests. In addition to his athletic talents, Stone Rivera is a naturalized Dominican, adding an international dimension to his basketball career. His consistent play and versatility continue to make him a valuable asset to his team in the competitive Spanish league.
#9. Tre McCallum, a 6'7'' forward and 31-year-old professional basketball player who graduated from DePaul University in 2018, delivered a stellar performance leading the Shizuoka Veltex to a significant victory over the second-ranked Tokyo United with a final score of 83-74 in Friday night's Japanese B.League game. McCallum was rightfully named the MVP of the game, as he dominated on both ends of the floor. He recorded an impressive double-double, scoring 27 points and pulling down 11 rebounds, while also contributing 3 assists and 2 blocks over 37 minutes of play. His outstanding efforts were instrumental in securing the win for Shizuoka Veltex, particularly against a highly ranked opponent like Tokyo United. In recognition of his exceptional all-around performance, McCallum was awarded the prestigious Triple-Double Badge by eurobasket.com, underscoring his versatility and impact throughout the game. This season, McCallum has continued to demonstrate his high-level play, averaging strong stats of 18.4 points per game, 7.8 rebounds per game, 2.2 assists per game, and 2.2 steals per game over the course of 13 games, marking him as a key player and consistent contributor for his team.
#10. Javan Johnson, a 6'6'' forward and 27-year-old Blue Demons alumnus from the class of 2023, currently plays professionally in Taiwan. In his most recent game, he was unable to lead the struggling Taoyuan Pilots, who hold a disappointing 0-2 record, to victory. Despite Johnson’s very good individual performance, the bottom-ranked Pilots suffered a heavy defeat, losing 115-94 on the road in Tainan against the league-leading Ghosthawks. Johnson stood out as the team's second-best scorer, putting up an impressive 21 points. Beyond his scoring prowess, he also contributed significantly on defense and the boards, pulling down 4 rebounds and recording 4 blocks during his 34 minutes on the court. Additionally, he facilitated his teammates by dishing out 2 assists, showcasing a well-rounded game. Despite Johnson’s strong individual showing and all-around effort, it was not enough to overcome the dominant Ghosthawks, and the Pilots were unable to secure a win in this matchup. Nevertheless, Johnson has been having a very good season individually, boasting strong statistics across the board. Over two games, he is averaging 18.5 points per game—ranking as the fourth-best scorer in the league—along with 3.5 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and 2.0 blocks per game, which also ranks him fourth in blocks in the league. His consistent high-level performance highlights his value as a key player for the Pilots as they look to improve their standings.
Other former De Paul University players, who play in pro basketball:
Umoja Gibson (6'1''-G-1998, played in 2023-24) signed for FC Barcelona Lassa in Spanish Liga Endesa
Chico Carter Jr. (6'3''-G-2000, played in 2023-24) signed for Treviso in Italian Serie A
N.J. Benson (6'8''-F-2003, played in 2024-26) signed for Kolossos in Greek GBL
Romeo Weems (6'7''-F-2001, played in 2019-21) signed for Detroit Pistons in the NBA
Brandon Young (6'4''-G-1991, played in 2010-14) signed for Sassari in Italian Serie A2
Devin Gage (6'2''-G-1997, played in 2016-20) plays for Venados de Mazatlan in Mexican CIBACOPA
Troy D'Amico (6'7''-F-2002, played in 2024-25) signed for Plzen in Czech Republic NBL
Aleksandar Marcius (6'10''-C-1990, played in 2013-14) played for Treviglio in Italian Serie B Nazionale
Myke Henry (6'6''-F-1992, played in 2013-16) plays for Heroes in Dominican Rep. LNB
Billy Garrett (6'6''-SG-1994, played in 2013-17) plays for Freseros Irapuato in Mexican LNBP
Yor Anei (6'10''-F-1999, played in 2021-23) plays for Brampton Honey Badgers in CEBL
Femi Olujobi (6'9''-C/F-1996, played in 2018-19) played for New Taipei Kings in Taiwanese TPBL
Marin Maric (6'11''-C-1994, played in 2017-18) signed for Taipei Taishin Mars in Taiwanese TPBL
Elijah Cain (6'6''-G-1996, played in 2015-19) played for San Diego Clippers in the NBA G League
Notice: The list above includes only some of alumni playing currently in pro basketball. Check complete list of De Paul University basketball alumni.
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Ex-Players
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