By: Jay Yeomans

Published: December 6, 2024

The Cougars have had a long lull in producing NBA talent but have seen a consistent number of former players who have taken their talents to Europe and Asia to continue their basketball careers. While some are just starting out in their pro careers, others, like Brandon Davies and Elijah Bryant have been playing in Europe’s top level for years.

Here is a look at how all the former Cougars are playing around the globe including some surprising results from some of our favorite former Cougs.

Alex Barcello, Heidelberg, Germany

Barcello has been a solid contributor for one of the top teams in Germany this season. He has scored in double figures in six of his eight appearances, including a 24-point performance where he connected on 6 of 7 shots from behind the arc in just 20 minutes.

In German League play, Barcello is putting up 11.9 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 3.7 assists in 23.4 minutes.

Frank Bartley IV, PAOK, Greece

Bartley has bounced all over the globe playing the game we all love thanks to his ability to score the ball. This year is no different in Greece where he is averaging in double figures across all competitions. He has been at his best in Greek League play where he has put up six games of at least 15 points, including two games of 20 or more. One of his best showings came in tough win in Europe Cup when he managed 18 points, 11 rebounds, and assists in 31 minutes.

In 17 games, Bartley is averaging 14.2 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 4.3 assists in 29.5 minutes.

Elijah Bryant, Anadolu Efes, Turkey, EuroLeague

Bryant is having a fantastic season for one of the top teams in all of European basketball. In fact, he is the top scorer and rebounder for his team in EuroLeague play. His best showing of the season came in a tough loss to Zalgiris when he totaled a game-high 23 points to go along with six rebounds, four assists, and two steals.

Through 13 EuroLeague games, Bryant is averaging 13 points, 4.8 rebounds, 3.9 assists, and 1.2 steals in 26.7 minutes.

Yoeli Childs, Saga Ballooners, Japan

Childs is having another strong season for the Ballooners in Japan’s top league. He has scored in double figures in all but two games while managing three 20-point nights. He also has six games with double-digit rebounds and four double-doubles. One of his best nights came in a big win over Nagasaki when he recorded a season-high 28 points to go along with nine boards and two assists.

In 16 games, Childs is averaging 15.7 points, 8.9 rebounds, and 2.1 assists in 32 minutes.

Brandon Davies, Partizan, Serbia, EuroLeague

Davies is in another season playing in Europe’s top competition, the EuroLeague, where he plays on a team loaded with former NBA players. His best showing of the season came in a tough loss to Milano when he totaled 17 points on 5 of 7 shooting from the field and perfect 7 of 7 from the foul line in 25 minutes.

Through 14 EuroLeague games, Davies is averaging 7.9 points on 50 percent shooting from inside the arc and 47.6 percent from 3-point land. He also chipping in with 2.9 rebounds, and 1.9 assists in 18 minutes.

Matt Haarms, Kagoshima, Japan

Haarms is having easily his most productive season as a pro. He has been an efficient scorer from inside and out, done great work on the backboards, and been a remarkably consistent rim protector. He has scored in double figures in 17 of 19 games, recorded a pair of double-doubles and blocked at least three shots on seven occasions.

On the season, Haarms is averaging 14.5 points, 7.8 rebounds, 2.6 blocks, and 1.1 assists in 27 minutes.

Spencer Johnson, Leicester Riders, United Kingdom

Johnson has started out his pro career as a 3-point specialist for the Riders. Through his first 11 games, he has hit multiple threes on eight occasions. One of his best outings came in an 88-86 win over Cheshire when he totaled 12 points on 3-for-8 shooting from distance to go along with six rebounds and a block.

On the season, Johnson is averaging 8.0 points on 40 percent shooting from three with 3.7 rebounds and an assist in 21 minutes.

Seneca Knight, Newcastle Eagles, United Kingdom

Knight has been playing good basketball across all competitions for one of the top teams in the United Kingdom. He has scored in double figures in 16 of 18 games, including 12 games of 15 or more. His best performance of the young season came in a 79-70 win over Dziki when he put up a double-double with 20 points and 10 boards.

On the season, Knight is averaging 14.6 points, 5.9 rebounds, 2.0 assists and a steal.

Zac Seljaas, Wuerzburg, Germany-BBL

Seljaas has steadily worked his way up through the European leagues and is now a huge piece of one of the top teams in Germany and a contender in the Basketball Champions League. While he has been a solid contributor in BBL games, he has been at his best in Champions League where he is 4th in the entire competition in scoring with 21.4 points a game on the strength of 71.4 percent shooting from inside the arc. He has also been stuffing the stat sheet with 6.8 rebounds, 1.6 assists, and 1.6 steals in 35 minutes a night.

Rudi Williams, Egis Kormend, Hungary

Williams has been on an absolute tear the entire season for Kormend. He has scored at least 19 points in every game including eight games of 20-plus. Even more impressive is how efficient he has been while putting up such big numbers connecting on 58 percent of his shots from two, 45.7 percent from 3-point land, and 89.1 percent from the charity stripe.

Through 10 games, Williams is averaging a league-leading 24.2 a game to go along with 6.7 rebounds, 5.3 assists, and 1.8 steals in 34.1 minutes.