LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – Isaiah Palermo and Josh Hagins led a handful of former Trojans in the professional ranks around the world in the past week as the Little Rock products continue to impress on the court worldwide.
Nikola Maric (6-10/F-1998, played 2018-22, plays pro in Bosnia) managed to help BC Igokea Mtel Aleksandrovac to win against the seventh-ranked Zadar (10-13) 68-67 in the ABA League on Friday night. He scored only three points in six minutes on the court. BC Igokea Mtel Aleksandrovac (8-14) is placed 11th in the ABA League. It was his team's third consecutive victory in a row. There are only four games left until the end of the ABA League regular season, so now every game will be critical. It's Maric's first season with the team. This year Maric averages 4.2 ppg and 2.1 rpg.
Josh Hagins (6-2/G-1994, played 2012-16, plays in Greece) contributed to an easy victory against one of league's weakest teams Ionikos (4-16) crushing them 103-64 in the Greek GBL in Saturday night's game. He scored only three points and added three assists. Aris Thessaloniki (10-10) is placed seventh in the GBL. It was his team's first victory after three consecutive losses. There are only two games left until the end of the regular season. This year Hagins averages 8.5 ppg, 2.2 rpg, 5.4 apg and 1.7 spg in 15 games played so far.
Isaiah Palermo (6-5/G-2000, played 2019-23, currently in Puerto Rico) contributed to a Cangrejeros de Santurce's victory against the fifth-ranked Mets (1-3) 108-103 in the Puerto Rican BSN last Tuesday. Palermo recorded only four points and grabbed four rebounds in 10 minutes. Cangrejeros de Santurce (2-2) is placed fourth in Group B but this is still an early stage of the season and anything could happen. This year Palermo averages 3.0 ppg and 1.8 rpg.
Experienced Michael Hinestroza (6-11/C-1990, played 2009-13, plays pro in El Salvador) led San Salvador to an easy victory against the league outsider Chalchuapa (0-8) crushing them 146-88 in the Salvadorean Liga MB on Monday night. He scored 15 points, had six rebounds and dished three assists. San Salvador BC (7-0) is placed first in the Liga MB. So far, his team won all seven games in the regular season. This year Hinestroza averages 7.0 ppg, 11.7 rpg and 1.1 apg in seven games. He has also Colombian nationality.
Dani Koljanin (6-8/F-1996, played 2018-19, plays in Belgium) was the major contributor in Kortrijk's victory against the eighth-ranked Guco Lier (1-5) crushing them 87-54 in the Belgian Top Division I in Sunday night's game. Koljanin scored 15 points and grabbed four rebounds in 28 minutes. Kortrijk Spurs (2-2) is placed eighth in Play-Ups group. His team will play only one more game in the Second Stage and that game is quite important. This season Koljanin averages 9.5 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 1.5 apg and 1.1 spg.
Other former Little Rock players, who play in pro basketball:
- Rayjon Tucker (6-3/G-1997, played in 2017) plays for Melbourne United in Australian NBL
- Ruot Monyyong (6-11/F-1998, played in 2019-21) plays for Kwara Falcons in Nigerian DStv PBL
- Will Neighbour (6-10/F/C-1990, played in 2011-14) plays for Cheshire Phoenix in British BBL
- Jalen Jackson (6-6/G/F-1994, played in 2014-17) plays for Korihait in Finnish Korisliiga
- Marko Andric (6-2/G-2002, played in 2020-22) plays for Zitko Basket in Serbian 2MLS
- Admir Besovic (6-11/C-1997, played in 2019-22) plays for Igman Burch in Bosnia and Herzegovina A1 Liga
- Kemy Osse (6-1/PG-1993, played in 2012-14) plays for Brampton Honey Badgers in CEBL
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