Previously at Gator Country we took a look at where former Gators were playing in the NBA, but now it’s time to check in on the players below that level. Sure, casual fans might just want to know where the best Gators are playing, the ones that were talented enough to go to the NBA. But, if you’re a real diehard who wants to know where the next tier of players are continuing their pro careers you’ve come to the right spot.
This won’t be an exhaustive list, but it should encapsulate most names.
Scottie Wilbekin
Fenerbahce (Turkey)
It was a frustrating year for Wilbekin battling injuries, but it was another year spent in Turkey for one of the top clubs in the world outside of the NBA. Wilbekin has had one of the best possible basketball careers that people wouldn’t know about playing at the top levels in Europe making excellent money.
Nick Calathes
PAOK (Greece)
Calathes is also in the camp of outstanding pro career. This was Calathes’ first year in some time out of the Euroleague, the top level of European basketball, but it’s still very good basketball in Greece and he is still playing great at a high level.
Wil Yeguete
Le Mans (France)
Yeguete has spent a number of years with his hometown club who was able to play in the Basketball Champions League this year, elevating their level in Europe.
Egor Koulechov
Hapoel Shlomo Tel-Aviv (Israel)
Samson Ruzhentsev
CSKA (Russia)
Kenny Boynton
Zhejiang Guangsha Lions (China)
Boynton has continued his long pro career, now in China where there is great money for guards who can score.
John Egbunu
Hyundai Mobis Phoebus (Korea)
Egbunu finds himself in Korea where imports are almost always big men, and he has had a great pro career after there was thought his career could be over following the knee injury while at Florida.
Devin Robinson
Zasademont Zaragoza (Spain)
Robinson has spent a number of years in Spain, the best domestic league in Europe, and has put together a fantastic professional career.
Chis Chiozza
Cantu (Italy)
If you follow Chris Chiozza’s social media you’ll know he has found himself playing in some of the most beautiful places in the world, now in Italy where he is extremely productive.
Kyle Lofton
EWE Oldenburg (Germany)
Phlandrous Fleming
SLUC Nancy (France)
Kerry Blackshear
Gunma Crane Thunders (Japan)
The average basketball fan might not know this, but the Japanese League is one of the best paying leagues in the world outside the NBA, at least for big men, and Blackshear has been posted up there for a number of years where he has been a star.
Casey Prather
Brisbane Bullets (Australia)
Prather has been in Australia for most of his career, though it was just announced that he likely wouldn’t resign with Brisbane who is one of the historical powers in the league. Where he goes next, we will see.
KeVaughn Allen
BBC Bayreuth (Germany)
Brandon McKissic
SCM Steaua București (Romania)
Myreon Jones
VFL Sparkassen Stars Bochum (Germany)
Anthuny Duruji
Saint Chamond (France)
Scottie Lewis
Johor Tigers (Malaysia)
Jason Jitoboh
Heroes (Venezuela)
Chris Walker
Osceola Magic (NBA G League)
Alex Tyus
Bordo (Turkey)
Alex Tyus just keeps on moving. He has been at the top divisions of the sport for his lengthy pro career and finally took a step back to the Turkish second division, but it’s inspiring to see him mostly playing for the love of the game at this point since he has banked a lot of quality salaries in Europe.
Michael Frazier
Taipei Taishin Mars (Taiwan)
Jalen Hudson
Hefei (China)
Gorjok Gak
Sichuan Blue Whales (China)