Courtesy of Eurobasket LLC Here is the weekly review of the top performing Bulldogs alumni, who are currently playing in pro basketball.
#1. Tyson Carter, a 28-year-old guard standing 6'4'', graduated from Mississippi State University (MSU) in 2020, where he earned the prestigious All-SEC Sixth Man of the Year award in his final collegiate season. Currently playing professionally in Serbia, Carter has been making a significant impact with his team, Crvena zvezda Meridianbet Beograd. Last Tuesday, Carter led Crvena zvezda to an impressive and commanding victory over the 18th-ranked Maccabi Tel-Aviv in a Euroleague matchup, decisively defeating them 100-78. His outstanding performance earned him the MVP of the game honors. In just 23 minutes on the court, Carter showcased his scoring ability by putting up 24 points, while also contributing 5 rebounds and 3 assists, playing a pivotal role in securing the win for his team. KK Crvena zvezda Meridianbet Beograd currently holds a strong position in the Euroleague standings, sitting third with a 6-3 record. However, it is important to note that the season is still in its early stages, and much can change as the competition progresses. Throughout this season, Carter has been a consistent contributor for Crvena zvezda, averaging 8.8 points per game, 2.2 rebounds per game, and 2.0 assists per game over the nine games he has played so far. His combination of scoring, playmaking, and rebounding continues to be invaluable for his team's success.
#2. D.J. Stewart Jr., a 6'6'' small forward and a 27-year-old Bulldogs alumnus from the class of 2021, has made significant strides in his professional basketball career since helping his college team clinch the California Classic NBA Summer League Champion title in Sacramento that same year. Currently playing professionally in Spain, Stewart Jr. has emerged as a key player for Cazoo Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz in the competitive Spanish Liga Endesa. In a recent standout performance last Sunday, Stewart Jr. was the major contributor to Cazoo Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz's decisive 106-83 victory over the league outsider Manresa, who had yet to secure a win this season with a 0-6 record. During the game, Stewart Jr. showcased his versatility and skill by scoring an impressive 17 points, grabbing 4 rebounds, and dishing out 3 assists over 26 minutes of play. His contributions were instrumental in crushing Manresa and securing the win for his team. Currently in his first season with Cazoo Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz, Stewart Jr. has helped the team achieve a solid 4-2 record, placing them seventh in the league standings. Over the course of six games this season, he has maintained relatively strong statistics, averaging 10.7 points per game (ppg), 2.3 rebounds per game (rpg), 1.2 assists per game (apg), and 1.3 steals per game (spg), demonstrating his all-around impact on the court. Additionally, Stewart Jr. is a naturalized American, further reflecting his diverse background and international experience in professional basketball.
#3. Quinndary Weatherspoon, a 6'3'' guard and 30-year-old professional basketball player, graduated from Mississippi State University (MSU) in 2019, where he earned the prestigious USBWA All-District IV Team award that same year. Currently playing professionally in China, Weatherspoon recently led the Qingdao Eagles to a thrilling 3-point victory over the closely-ranked Guangdong Tigers, defeating them 112-109 in a highly competitive Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) matchup last Monday. Weatherspoon was named the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the game, delivering an extraordinary performance by scoring an impressive 45 points. In addition to his scoring prowess, he contributed 8 assists and 4 steals, all within just 29 minutes of play. His remarkable display of skill and leadership was instrumental in securing the win for the Qingdao Eagles, who currently hold a 3-5 record and are placed 14th in the league standings. Beyond this standout game, Weatherspoon also added 3 rebounds, showcasing his versatility on the court. His exceptional performance not only secured the victory but also earned him the prestigious Elite Badge from eurobasket.com, an honor that recognizes his outstanding skills and significant impact during the contest. Individually, Weatherspoon is having an excellent season, boasting impressive statistics that highlight his all-around abilities. Over seven games, he is averaging 25.6 points per game (leading the league), along with 4.9 rebounds, 6.0 assists, and 1.6 steals per game. These numbers underscore his status as one of the top performers in the league and reflect his consistent contributions to the Qingdao Eagles' efforts this season.
#4. Reggie Perry, a 6'10'' forward and 26-year-old Bulldogs alumnus from the class of 2020, who earned the prestigious USBWA All-District IV Team award that same year, is currently playing professional basketball in Bosnia. Recently, he led his team, Bosna from Bosnia and Herzegovina, to an impressive victory over the closely-ranked Roma Basket, which held a 2-3 record, with a final score of 85-80 in the BKT Eurocup last Tuesday. Perry was named the MVP of the game, showcasing his dominance on the court by scoring an impressive 25 points, grabbing 6 rebounds, and making 3 blocks in just 23 minutes of play. His outstanding performance was instrumental in securing the win for KK Bosna BH Telecom Sarajevo, who currently hold a 2-3 record and are placed sixth in the league standings. In that critical game against Roma Basket, Perry not only scored 25 points but also contributed 6 rebounds and 1 assist, playing a crucial role in leading his team to victory and ultimately making Bosna the champion of the game. His individual performance continues to stand out this season, as he has been putting up very strong numbers. Over five games, Perry is averaging 16.4 points per game (ppg) and 7.6 rebounds per game (rpg), which is the second-best rebound average in the entire league. Overall, Reggie Perry’s consistent high-level play and leadership on the court have been key factors in his team’s success this season.
#5. RJ Melendez, a 6'7'' forward and 23-year-old graduate of Michigan State University (class of 2025), is currently playing professional basketball in Italy. In their most recent game, Melendez was unable to help his team, Verona, secure a win. Despite his solid individual performance, Verona fell short at home, losing 88-99 to the higher-ranked Openjobmetis Varese, who are currently ranked #6. Melendez showcased his talent by scoring an impressive 14 points, grabbing 5 rebounds, dishing out 4 assists, and recording 6 steals in just 29 minutes on the court. This is particularly noteworthy given that this is only his second season as a professional player and his first year with Verona. His contributions were significant and demonstrated his potential as a rising player in the league. Throughout the season so far, Melendez has maintained relatively strong statistics, averaging 10.5 points per game, 4.2 rebounds, 1.2 assists, and 1.2 steals over six games. While his individual efforts have been commendable, Verona is still striving to translate these performances into team victories moving forward.
#6. Claudell Harris Jr., a 6'4" guard and 24-year-old Bulldogs alumnus from the class of 2025, currently plays professionally in Israel. Last Wednesday, he played a pivotal role in leading his Israeli team, Hapoel Holon, to an impressive victory over the closely-ranked Rasta Vechta, with a final score of 88-81 in the Basketball Champions League. During the game, Harris Jr. showcased his scoring ability by putting up 15 points, making all five of his free throw attempts, and contributing significantly in just 27 minutes on the court. In addition to his scoring, he grabbed 3 rebounds and dished out 1 assist, all of which were crucial factors in securing the win for his team. Throughout this season, Harris Jr. has maintained solid performance averages, scoring 9.0 points per game, grabbing 2.3 rebounds, providing 1.3 assists, and recording 1.7 steals per game over three contests. His consistent contributions continue to be a valuable asset for Hapoel Holon as they compete in the Basketball Champions League.
#7. Panamanian guard Iverson Molinar, standing at 6'4'' and aged 26, is a notable basketball talent who graduated from Michigan State University (MSU) in 2022. During his collegiate career, he earned the prestigious All-SEC First Team award in his final year, highlighting his exceptional skills and contributions on the court. Currently, Molinar is playing professionally in Montenegro, where he has continued to demonstrate his impressive abilities. Last Saturday, Molinar played a pivotal role in leading his Montenegrin team, Buducnost, to a commanding and decisive victory over the league leader Borac CA in the AdmiralBet ABA League. Buducnost crushed Borac CA with a resounding score of 105-72, showcasing a dominant performance. Molinar contributed significantly to this success by scoring an impressive 16 points, shooting a perfect 8-for-8 from the free throw line, and adding 3 assists in just 23 minutes of play. Additionally, he pulled down 2 rebounds, further contributing to his team's overall performance. His outstanding efforts on the court were instrumental in securing the win for Buducnost, solidifying his reputation as a key player. Throughout the current season, Molinar has maintained relatively strong statistics, averaging 13.3 points per game (ppg), 1.8 rebounds per game (rpg), and 3.8 assists per game (apg) across four games. His consistent production continues to make him a valuable asset for his team in the league.
#8. Jimmy Bell Jr., a 6'10'' center and 26-year-old Bulldogs alumnus from the class of 2024, currently plays professionally in Georgia. Last Sunday, he played a pivotal role in leading Tkibuli Orbi to a narrow 1-point victory over the league outsider Black Fortress, with the final score being 82-81 in the Georgian Superleague. Bell Jr. demonstrated his skill and dominance on the court by recording a double-double, scoring 14 points and securing 10 rebounds in 31 minutes of play. In addition to his scoring and rebounding, he also contributed 1 assist, showcasing his all-around game and importance to his team's success in this tightly contested match. Throughout the season, Bell Jr. has maintained solid performance statistics, averaging 11.3 points per game, 11.0 rebounds per game, and 1.3 blocks per game over four games. His consistent contributions on both ends of the floor have been instrumental for Tkibuli Orbi as they compete in the league.
#9. Experienced Bulgarian guard Dee Bost, standing 6'3'' and playing the point guard position, is a seasoned professional currently competing in Iceland. At 37 years old, Bost boasts an impressive basketball pedigree, having graduated from Mississippi State University (MSU) in 2012, where he earned the prestigious All-SEC First Team award that same year. Despite his extensive experience and skill, he was unable to help his team, Tindastoll (3-1), secure a win in their most recent game. In a closely contested matchup on their home court in Sauoarkrokur, Tindastoll was narrowly edged out by the league-leading Alftanes, losing by a slim margin of 108-105. Bost delivered a very good individual performance, finishing as the team's second-best scorer with 18 points. In addition to his scoring, he contributed significantly with 7 assists and 3 steals over 33 minutes of play, demonstrating his all-around impact on the game. Throughout the contest, Bost showcased his versatility by not only scoring but also grabbing 3 rebounds and facilitating his teammates with his playmaking abilities. Despite his impressive efforts and leadership on the court, Tindastoll fell short of victory against the top-ranked Alftanes team. Looking at his season overall, Bost has maintained relatively strong statistics, averaging 13.0 points per game, 4.3 rebounds, 6.0 assists, and 2.3 steals across four games. His consistent performance underscores his value to the team and his ability to contribute in multiple facets of the game. Additionally, it is worth noting that Dee Bost is a naturalized American, adding an international dimension to his professional career. His experience and skill set continue to make him a key player for Tindastoll as they seek to improve their standing in the Icelandic league.
#10. Ja'Borri McGhee, a 6'2'' guard and a 22-year-old Bulldogs alumnus from the class of 2026, currently plays professionally in the Czech Republic. In their most recent game, McGhee was unable to lead his team, Usti nad Labem (which stands at 6-4), to victory. Despite McGhee’s impressive individual performance, Usti nad Labem narrowly lost 91-89 on their home court to the league-leading Slavia. During the game, McGhee showcased his skills by recording 14 points, grabbing 8 rebounds, and dishing out 3 assists over 32 minutes of play. His strong contributions on both ends of the floor were a significant factor, but unfortunately, they weren’t enough to secure a win for his team. Over the course of the season, McGhee has been having an outstanding year, posting impressive statistics. He is averaging 20.4 points per game, which ranks as the second-best in the league, along with 5.8 rebounds, 3.2 assists, and an impressive 2.8 steals per game, leading the league in that category after 10 games played. His consistent high-level performance marks him as one of the standout players in the league.
Other former Mississippi State University players, who play in pro basketball:
Tyler Stevenson (6'9''-PF-2002, played in 2022-23) signed for Kolossos in Greek GBL
Cameron Matthews (6'7''-F-2001, played in 2020-25) signed for Houston Rockets in the NBA
Tolu Smith (6'11''-F-2000, played in 2019-24) plays for Detroit Pistons in the NBA
Travis Daniels (6'8''-F-1992, played in 2014-16) plays for Univ.Concepcion in Chilean LNB
Dashawn Davis (6'2''-G-2000, played in 2022-24) played for Decin in Czech Republic NBL
D.J. Jeffries (6'7''-F-1999, played in 2021-24) signed for Vilpas in Finnish Korisliiga
Gavin Ware (6'9''-F/C-1993, played in 2012-16) plays for Limoges CSP Elite in French Betclic ELITE ProA
Robert Woodard II (6'7''-F-1999, played in 2018-20) played for Platense in Argentinian La Liga
Garrison Brooks (6'10''-C-1999, played in 2021-22) signed for Saitama Broncos in Japanese B.One League
Fred Thomas (6'5''-F-1993, played in 2012-16) signed for CAB Madeira in Portuguese Liga Betclic
Aric Holman (6'10''-F/C-1997, played in 2015-19) plays for Formosa Dreamers in Taiwanese TPBL
Quincy Ballard (7'0''-C-2001, played in 2025-26) signed for Sabah in Azerbaijani ABL
Shakeel Moore (6'1''-PG-2000, played in 2021-24) signed for Teodo in Montenegrin Erste Liga
Jalen Johnson (6'6''-F-1997, played in 2020-21) played for Marmande in French NM2
Eric Reed Jr. (6'4''-SG-2000, played in 2022-23) signed for Cremona in Italian Serie A2
Lamar Peters (6'0''-PG-1998, played in 2016-19) plays for The Mecca in the The Basketball Tournament
Roquez Johnson (6'7''-F/C-1992, played in 2011-15) plays for Toros Del Valle in Colombian LBP
Arnett Moultrie (6'10''-C-1990, played in 2008-10) plays for Olimpia Kings in Paraguayan LNB
Craig Sword (6'3''-SG-1994, played in 2012-16) signed for New Taipei Kings in Taiwanese TPBL
Piotr Stelmach (6'9''-PF-1984, played in 2003-07) signed for Valletta in Maltese BOV League D1
Notice: The list above includes only some of alumni playing currently in pro basketball. Check complete list of Mississippi State University basketball alumni.
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