Courtesy of Eurobasket LLC Every week we bring you a list of the top former Aztecs players who continue their career in pro basketball.
#1. Malachi Flynn, a 6'1'' point guard who is currently 28 years old, graduated from San Diego State University (SDSU) in 2020. During his collegiate career, he earned the prestigious All-Mountain West Conference (MWC) Player of the Year award in his final year, highlighting his exceptional talent and impact on the court. Flynn has since transitioned to professional basketball and is now playing in Turkey for Bahcesehir Koleji Istanbul. In a recent BKT Eurocup game on Tuesday night, Flynn played a pivotal role in leading Bahcesehir Koleji Istanbul to an impressive 96-82 victory over the fifth-ranked team, ratiopharm Ulm, who held a 3-3 record at the time. Flynn contributed 12 points over 25 minutes of play, demonstrating his scoring ability and efficiency. Additionally, he grabbed one rebound and dished out two assists, showcasing his versatility and importance to the team's overall performance. Bahcesehir Koleji Istanbul currently boasts a strong 5-1 record, which places them at the top of their league standings. Flynn’s consistent performance this season is reflected in his solid statistics, averaging 15.0 points per game (ppg), 2.0 rebounds per game (rpg), 3.3 assists per game (apg), and 1.7 steals per game (spg), underscoring his all-around contributions on both ends of the floor. Moreover, it is noteworthy that Flynn holds dual citizenship, possessing both American and Turkish passports. This unique status allows him to compete in Turkey as a domestic player, giving his team a valuable roster advantage and enhancing his professional opportunities within the Turkish basketball league.
#2. Jaedon LeDee, a 6'9" forward and 27-year-old Aztecs alumnus from the 2024 class, who was honored as a Jersey Mike's Naismith Player of the Year Semifinalist that same year, is currently playing professionally in Japan. Despite his impressive individual performance last Saturday, he was unable to help his team, the Kawasaki Brave Thunders, secure a victory. The Brave Thunders, who hold a 4-9 record and are positioned 11th in the Eastern Conference, were defeated 75-65 on the road by the higher-ranked B-Corsairs, who sit at 7th place. In that game, LeDee delivered a standout double-double, scoring 19 points and pulling down 11 rebounds, while also contributing 3 assists in 30 minutes of play. Although his efforts were commendable, the team as a whole could not overcome their opponents. It is important to note that this is still an early stage of the season, and the dynamics can change as the season progresses. This season marks LeDee’s first year with the Kawasaki Brave Thunders, and he has already made a significant impact. His impressive showing against Yokohama BC, where he recorded 19 points, 11 rebounds, and 3 assists, was a testament to his skill and determination. His all-around performance earned him the prestigious Triple-Double Badge from eurobasket.com, recognizing his substantial contribution across multiple facets of the game. Individually, LeDee is having a very strong season, consistently putting up high statistics. He currently averages 17.4 points per game (ppg), 7.8 rebounds per game (rpg), and 1.8 assists per game (apg), showcasing his versatility and importance to the team’s efforts moving forward.
#3. Matt Mitchell, a 6'7" forward and 27-year-old professional basketball player who graduated from San Diego State University (SDSU) in 2021, where he earned the prestigious All-MWC All-Tournament MVP award that same year, is currently playing professionally in Turkey. Despite his solid individual performance, Mitchell was unable to help his team, Glint Korfez Basket Kocaeli, improve their record in their recent game last Saturday. Glint Korfez, holding a 2-4 record, faced a tough challenge on the road against the much higher-ranked Trabzonspor team, which is positioned at #6 in the standings. In that game, Mitchell delivered an impressive showing by scoring 10 points, grabbing 3 rebounds, and dishing out 4 assists over the course of 25 minutes on the court. His efforts were notable and demonstrated his skill and determination; however, despite his contributions, Glint Korfez was defeated 94-86 by Trabzonspor. Throughout the current season, Mitchell has been averaging solid numbers, with 9.0 points per game (ppg), 1.7 rebounds per game (rpg), 2.5 assists per game (apg), and 1.7 steals per game (spg), showcasing his all-around impact on the court even as his team continues to face challenges.
#4. New Zealand’s Yannick Wetzell, a 6'9" center and 30 years old, is an accomplished professional basketball player currently competing in Japan. An alumnus of the 2020 Aztecs team, Wetzell played a pivotal role in helping them secure the Mountain West Conference (MWC) Regular Season Champion title that year. Despite his proven track record and strong individual performances, Wetzell was unable to lead his current team, the Akita Northern Happinets, to victory in their recent game last Sunday. In that matchup, the Akita Northern Happinets, who hold a 4-9 record and are positioned 13th in the Eastern Conference standings, suffered a significant 102-83 loss on the road against the higher-ranked Chiba Altiri (#10). Wetzell, however, was the standout player of the game, finishing as the top scorer with an impressive 24 points. In addition to his scoring, he contributed 8 rebounds and 4 assists over 33 minutes of play, showcasing his all-around skills and leadership on the court. Despite Wetzell’s outstanding individual efforts, his team was unable to overcome Chiba Altiri, underscoring the challenges faced by the Akita Northern Happinets this season. Nevertheless, Wetzell continues to have a very productive season on a personal level, boasting strong statistics across multiple categories. He is currently averaging 16.8 points per game (ppg), 8.8 rebounds per game (rpg), 2.5 assists per game (apg), and 1.2 blocks per game (bpg), highlighting his consistent impact on both ends of the floor. In addition to his New Zealand nationality, Wetzell also holds German citizenship, further reflecting his diverse background and international experience. With his combination of size, skill, and experience as a former MWC Regular Season Champion, Yannick Wetzell remains a key player to watch in the Japanese professional basketball league.
#5. Darrion Trammell, a 5'10" point guard and 26-year-old alumnus of San Diego State University (SDSU), where he graduated in 2024, played a pivotal role in helping his college team reach the final of the Mountain West Conference (MWC) Tournament that same year. Currently, Trammell is showcasing his talents professionally in Hungary, where he recently contributed significantly to an impressive and decisive victory over the 11th-ranked Kormend team, who held a 2-5 record. His team, Falco-Vulcano Energia KC Szombathely, dominated the Hungarian Nemzeti Bajnoksag I/A on Wednesday night, crushing Kormend with a commanding score of 105-79. In that game, Trammell scored 6 points and distributed 6 assists over 23 minutes of play, demonstrating his effectiveness as a floor general. Additionally, he grabbed 3 rebounds, underscoring his all-around contribution on both ends of the court. His performance was instrumental in maintaining his team's undefeated streak, as Falco-Vulcano Energia KC Szombathely boasts a perfect 6-0 record in the Regular Season and currently holds the second position in the league standings. Throughout this season, Trammell has been consistently productive, averaging 7.3 points per game (ppg), 2.8 rebounds per game (rpg), 3.0 assists per game (apg), and an impressive 2.5 steals per game (spg), the latter ranking him as the second-best in the league. His combination of scoring, playmaking, and defensive prowess continues to make him a vital contributor to his team's success in the Hungarian league.
#6. Syrian Trey Kell III, a 6'4" guard and 30-year-old Aztecs alumnus from the class of 2018, who earned the prestigious All-MWC All-Tournament MVP award that same year, currently plays professional basketball in Japan. Despite his impressive skills and experience, Kell III was unable to lead his team, Link Tochigi Brex Utsunomiya, to victory against Alvark Tokyo in a recent matchup. In this game, he scored 7 points, grabbed 2 rebounds, and dished out 5 assists over the course of 16 minutes. Unfortunately, his commendable individual efforts were not enough to prevent his team from falling short, as they were defeated with a final score of 100-90. Throughout the season, Kell III has demonstrated outstanding performance and consistency, boasting impressive averages of 19.1 points per game, 7.3 rebounds per game, 4.5 assists per game, and 1.1 steals per game. As a naturalized American player, he continues to make a significant impact on the court, showcasing his talents and leadership in the Japanese professional basketball league.
#7. Skylar Spencer, a 6'10" forward/center and 32-year-old professional basketball player, graduated from San Diego State University (SDSU) in 2016. During his college career, he earned the prestigious All-Mountain West Conference (MWC) Defensive Player of the Year award in his final year. Currently playing professionally in Italy, Spencer recently contributed to Old Wild West Udine's victory over one of the league's weaker teams, Tortona, with a final score of 86-77 in the Italian Serie A on Sunday night. In that game, Spencer played 18 minutes, during which he scored 4 points, secured 8 rebounds, and provided 1 assist. Although his scoring was modest, his presence on the court and defensive efforts were instrumental in helping his team achieve the win. This season, Spencer is averaging 4.8 points per game (ppg) and 6.3 rebounds per game (rpg), continuing to demonstrate his value as a strong defensive and rebounding champion on the court.
#8. Jeremiah Oden, a 6'8'' forward and 24-year-old Aztecs alumnus from the 2026 class, played a pivotal role in leading his college team to the final of the MWC Tournament that year. Currently, he is competing professionally in Germany, where he contributes significantly to his team, Eisbaeren Bremerhaven, in the German BARMER 2. Basketball Bundesliga ProA (the second division). On Saturday night, Oden was instrumental in Eisbaeren Bremerhaven's hard-fought 82-75 victory over the closely-ranked Falcons. In that game, he posted solid numbers, recording 10 points and grabbing 6 rebounds over 26 minutes of play. His performance was particularly notable against Nuernberg, where he scored an impressive 10 points, secured 6 rebounds, and added 1 assist, playing a crucial role in securing the win for his team. Overall, Oden has maintained relatively strong statistics this season, averaging 11.0 points per game (ppg), 3.9 rebounds per game (rpg), and 1.7 assists per game (apg). His consistent contributions highlight his value as a key player for Eisbaeren Bremerhaven as they continue their campaign in the league.
#9. Jay Pal, a 6'9" forward and 26-year-old athlete who graduated from San Diego State University (SDSU) in 2024, played a pivotal role in leading his college team to the final of the Mountain West Conference (MWC) Tournament that same year. Currently, Pal competes professionally in North Macedonia, where he continues to demonstrate his impressive skills on the court. Most recently, Pal led Sokoli 1933 to a hard-fought victory over the fifth-ranked Strumica, with a final score of 87-81 in the North Macedonian MTEL Super Liga on Saturday night. In this crucial game, Pal showcased his all-around abilities by scoring 17 points, grabbing 5 rebounds, and making 2 blocks over 36 minutes of play. His performance was instrumental in securing the win for his team, highlighting his importance as a key contributor during critical moments. Throughout the current season, Pal has maintained solid statistics, averaging 14.5 points per game, 7.0 rebounds per game, 2.0 assists per game, and 1.8 blocks per game, ranking him as the fourth-best shot blocker in the league. Additionally, Pal is a naturalized South Sudanese, adding an international dimension to his professional career. His consistent contributions on both ends of the floor make him a valuable player for Sokoli 1933 and a notable figure in the North Macedonian basketball scene.
#10. Experienced DeShawn Stephens, a 6'8'' center and 37-year-old Aztecs alumnus from the class of 2013, currently playing professionally in Italy, played a key role in helping Dole Basket Rimini secure a victory against one of the league's weakest teams, Milano Urania, with a final score of 85-71 in the Italian Serie A2 (the second division) on Friday night. Although Stephens recorded only 2 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 assists in 20 minutes of play, his well-rounded contributions on both ends of the floor were instrumental in his team's success. His ability to contribute in multiple facets of the game, including defense and playmaking, helped Dole Basket Rimini maintain control and ultimately win the match. This season, Stephens has been averaging solid numbers with 8.9 points per game, 6.3 rebounds per game, 1.3 assists per game, and 1.1 steals per game, demonstrating his consistent value to the team.
Other former San Diego State University players, who play in pro basketball:
Trey Pulliam (6'3''-G-1998, played in 2019-22) played for Gargzdai in Lithuanian LKL
Jordan Schakel (6'6''-G-1998, played in 2017-23) played for NINERS Chemnitz in German BBL
Keshad Johnson (6'7''-F-2001, played in 2019-23) plays for Miami Heat in the NBA
Kawhi Leonard (6'7''-F-1991, played in 2009-11) signed for Toronto Raptors in the NBA
Reese Dixon-Waters (6'5''-G-2002, played in 2023-26) signed for Denver Nuggets in the NBA
Nathan Mensah (6'10''-C-1998, played in 2018-23) signed for Aliaga Petkimspor Izmir in Turkish BSL
Jamaal Franklin (6'5''-SG-1991, played in 2010-13) plays for Converge FiberXers in Filipino PBA
Jared Coleman-Jones (6'10''-F-2000, played in 2024-25) signed for Prievidza in Slovakian Tipos SBL
Demarshay Johnson Jr. (6'10''-F-2003, played in 2021-25) signed for Zlatorog in Slovenian Liga OTP banka
Jalen McDaniels (6'9''-PF-1998, played in 2016-16) signed for Kobe Storks in Japanese B.Premier League
Joshua Tomaic (6'10''-F-1998, played in 2020-22) played for Mataro UE in Spanish Tercera FEB
Lamont Butler Jr. (6'2''-G-2002, played in 2020-24) played for College Park SkyHawks in the NBA G League
Angelo Chol (6'9''-C-1993, played in 2013-13) signed for Akita Northern Happinets in Japanese B.Premier League
Wayne McKinney III (6'0''-PG-2002, played in 2024-25) signed for LU in Latvian LBL
J.J. O'Brien (6'7''-F-1992, played in 2012-15) played for Shinshu Brave Warriors Nagano in Japanese B.Premier League
Richard Williams Jr. (5'10''-PG-1987, played in 2005-09) played for SKN St. Poelten Basketball in Austrian BSL
Terrell Gomez (5'8''-PG-1998, played in 2020-21) played for Quimper UJAP in French ELITE 2
KJ Feagin (6'1''-PG-1997, played in 2019-20) plays for Gambusinos de Fresnillo in Mexican LNBP
Notice: The list above includes only some of alumni playing currently in pro basketball. Check complete list of San Diego State University basketball alumni.
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