Courtesy of Eurobasket LLC Here is the weekly review of the top performing Redbirds alumni, who are currently playing in pro basketball.
#1. Paris Lee, a 31-year-old point guard standing at 6'1", graduated from Illinois State in 2017 and received the prestigious All-MVC Player of the Year award that same year. Currently playing professionally in Russia, Lee showcased his talent and leadership skills by guiding his team, UNICS, to a crucial victory over Zenit in a recent VTB United League match. In this highly anticipated game between closely-ranked teams, UNICS emerged triumphant with a 78-73 scoreline, thanks in large part to Lee's stellar performance. During the game, Lee demonstrated his versatility and impact on the court, scoring 14 points, dishing out 9 assists, and recording 3 steals in 33 minutes of play. This standout display highlighted his value to the team and underscored his ability to influence the outcome of important matches. Despite this being his first season with UNICS, Lee has quickly established himself as a key player for the team, contributing significantly to their success. With impressive season averages of 10.7 points, 1.7 rebounds, 5.4 assists, and 1.4 steals per game in the 26 games he has played so far, Lee has consistently delivered solid performances throughout the season. His naturalized American status adds to his unique background and enhances his global appeal as a basketball player. In summary, Paris Lee's skills, experience, and determination make him a formidable champion on the court and a vital asset to his team's quest for success in the league.
#2. Phil Fayne II, a 29-year-old center/forward standing at 6'9'' and an alumnus of Redbirds from 2019, currently plays professionally in Poland. Recently, he played a crucial role in Zastal BC Zielona Gora's narrow 85-83 victory over the closely-ranked Arka in the Polish Orlen Basket Liga. Despite only playing 16 minutes, Fayne II managed to contribute 8 points to the team's triumph. Zastal BC Zielona Gora, currently in eighth place in the league with a record of 16-14, is benefiting from Fayne II's skills in his debut season with the team. In the game against Arka, Fayne II showcased his abilities by scoring 8 points, grabbing 3 rebounds, and providing 1 assist, ultimately helping his team clinch the champion title. Throughout the season, Fayne II has maintained an average of 7.3 points per game and 3.8 rebounds per game across 37 appearances. It's worth noting that despite being a naturalized American, Fayne II has quickly made an impact in the Polish league and is proving to be a valuable asset for his team.
Other former Illinois State University players, who play in pro basketball:
Devaughn Akoon-Purcell (6'5''-G/F-1993, played in 2014-16) plays for Shandong Heroes in Chinese CBA
Jordan Davis (6'4''-G-2002, played in 2023-25) plays for Mega BG in Serbian KLS
Osiris Eldridge (6'3''-F/G-1988, played in 2006-10) played for US Monastir in Tunisian ProA few monts ago
Elijah Clarance (6'5''-G-1998, played in 2017-19) plays for Saint-Quentin Basket-Ball in French Betclic ELITE ProA
Dalton Banks (6'2''-G-2001, played in 2023-25) plays for Margveti in Georgian Superleague
Kendall Lewis (6'8''-F, played in 2021-24) plays for Pitesti in Romanian Liga Nationala
Mikyle McIntosh (6'7''-F-1994, played in 2013-17) plays for Oliveirense in Portuguese Liga Betclic
Daishon Knight (6'1''-PG-1991, played in 2013-15) plays for ES Sahel in Tunisian ProA
Jaycee Hillsman (6'7''-G-1996, played in 2018-18) plays for Earthfriends Tokyo Z in Japanese B3 League
Deontae Hawkins (6'8''-F-1993, played in 2014-17) plays for Ordu in Azerbaijani ABL
Zach Copeland (6'4''-G-1997, played in 2017-17) plays for Cento in Italian Serie A2
Seneca Knight (6'6''-G-2000, played in 2022-23) plays for Mestre in Italian Serie A2
Notice: The list above includes only some of alumni playing currently in pro basketball. Check complete list of Illinois State University basketball alumni.
Paris Lee is last week best Redbirds alumni, who plays professional basketball (Photo: @LDLCASVEL)
Ex-Players
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