LAS CRUCES, N.M. - New Mexico State men's basketball has 18 former players who are currently playing professional basketball around the world. The list is highlighted by 2016 NBA first-rounder Pascal Siakam and undrafted NBA two-way players Jabari Rice and Trevelin Queen. Another former player, Jonathan Gibson, joined Siakam in the NBA in 2016-17 after earning a multi-year deal with the Dallas Mavericks with his strong play in the NBA Summer League in 2016 before ending the 2017-19 regular-seasons with the Boston Celtics. Meanwhile, Sim Bhullar signed with the Sacramento Kings in August 2014, becoming the first player of Indian descent to sign with an NBA team.
See below for a complete list of former Aggies in professional basketball.
For updates on the Aggies, follow NM State Men's Basketball on Twitter,
@NMStateMBB.
Jabari Rice | NM State (2017-22) | San Antonio Spurs (NBA)
Upon playing for four years at NM State and one season at Texas, Rice went undrafted before earning a two-way contract with the San Antonio Spurs. Rice’s first experience with the franchise came in the Las Vegas Summer League on July 14 when he scored 11 points in a loss to the Detroit Pistons.
Two days later he would be the Spurs’ only bench player to reach double figures as he posted 13 points on 5-of-12 shooting from the field to help the Spurs to a 98-94 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder. In the two games with the Spurs, Rice also averaged an impressive 3.5 steals per game.
The Houston native contributed heavily to the success of the Aggies for four seasons following a redshirt year in 2017-18. In his final year with the NM State program, Rice played a vital role in helping lead the Aggies to their first NCAA Tournament win since 1993 as they knocked off fifth-seeded UConn in the first round. Following a hall-of-fame-worthy career with the Aggies, Rice transferred to The University of Texas at Austin where he was part of a Longhorn team that reached the Elite Eight in the 2023 NCAA Tournament.
Rice Pro File
2023-Present | San Antonio Spurs/Austin Spurs (NBA/G League)
Johnny McCants | NM State (2016-22) | Wichita SkyKings (TBL)
After closing out his career as one of the most decorated Aggies in the history of the program, McCants joined the Aggie coaching staff as a Men’s Basketball Analyst. Midway through his first season removed from his playing days, McCants got a call from the Wichita Sky Kings, an expansion team for The Basketball League that is based in Wichita, Kan. McCants officially signed with the SkyKings on Jan. 29, 2023, and made his debut with the team on March 3 when he helped lead the SkyKings to a 114-99 win over the Oklahoma Panthers in the franchise’s first game. Through his first 20 games at the professional level, McCants has helped the SkyKings to a 16-4 record and ranks second on the team in rebounds per game at 8.0 – trailing only fellow former Aggie Teddy Allen. The Las Cruces native is also averaging 8.8 points, 1.4 blocks and 1.8 assists per game. In total, McCants has scored in double figures six times this season, including a season-high 21 points on May 5, 2023, against the Pearland Texas Warriors. His 21-point night also represented his fourth double-double of the season as he pulled down 10 boards. McCants’ ability to rebound has transferred to the professional level and was on full display during a three-game stretch in which he tallied 49 rebounds, including a season-high 18 rebounds on April 22, 2023, against the Potawatomi Fire.
As an Aggie, McCants earned All-WAC honors three times – one all-defensive team selection, one All-WAC Second Team selection and one All-WAC Honorable Mention. After six seasons with the program, McCants concluded his Aggie career as the program’s all-time leader in wins (135) and games played. He also currently ranks among the top-ten players in program history in career rebounds and blocked shots. Across five seasons of play, he averaged 7.4 points, 5.3 rebounds and 0.9 blocks per game and capped off his illustrious career by helping lead the Aggies to its first win in the NCAA Tournament since 1993.
McCants Pro File
2023-Present | Wichita SkyKings (TBL)
Teddy Allen | NM State (2021-22) | Winnipeg Sea Bears (CEBL)
The man known as “Teddy Buckets” earned the opportunity to prove his ability to score at the professional level when he was invited to participate in the 2022 NBA Summer League with the Denver Nuggets. In the summer league, Allen appeared in two games and averaged 13.9 minutes, 3.5 points, 3.0 rebounds and 0.5 assists. From there, the prolific scorer signed his first contract on July 18, 2022, with the Scarborough Shooting Stars of the Canadian Elite Basketball League. With the Shooting Stars, Allen averaged 11.6 points, five rebounds, two assists and two steals per game while appearing in four games. Allen’s next opportunity came in The Basketball League alongside Aggies Johnny McCants and Terrell Brown with the Wichita SkyKings. The SkyKings signed the Phoenix native on Jan. 29, 2023, and Allen would go on to play in nine games during his short stint in the Midwest. With the SkyKings, Allen nearly averaged a double-double as he paced the team in both points (27.9) and rebounds (9.3) per game. The 6-7 guard also averaged 2.8 assists and 1.0 steals per contest. Allen’s TBL career was short-lived but impactful as he scored 20-plus points in eight of the nine games he appeared in and turned in a season-high 37 points in a high-scoring affair against the Potawatomi Fire. After exploding in the TBL, Allen received his second shot in the CEBL as the Winnipeg Sea Bears announced they had signed the former Aggie on May 4, 2023, ahead of the team’s inaugural season.
Although Allen played only one year for the Crimson and White, he left his mark on the Las Cruces community and its beloved program as he racked up a slew of awards following his breakout season in 2021-22. Allen claimed WAC Player of the Year, WAC Newcomer of the Year, All-WAC First Team, WAC All-Newcomer Team, WAC Tournament MVP and NABC All-District Six First Team honors after leading NM State to a 27-7 overall record. On March 17, 2022, Allen became a household name across the nation when he poured in 37 points to help the Aggies win their first NCAA Tournament game since 1993 as Allen and crew defeated fifth-seeded UConn 70-63 in Buffalo, N.Y. In his lone season with the program, Allen averaged a league-best 19.6 points per game while also posting 6.8 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 1.2 steals in 33.3 minutes per game. In 2021-22, Allen paced the Aggies in scoring, rebounding, steals, field goals made, field goal attempts, three-point field goals made, three-point field goal attempts, free throws made and free throw attempts.
Allen Pro File
2022 NBA Summer League (Denver Nuggets)
2022-22 | Scarborough Shooting Stars (CEBL)
2023-23 | Wichita SkyKings (TBL)
2023-Present | Winnipeg Sea Bears (CEBL)
Terrell Brown | NM State (2018-20) | Wichita SkyKings (TBL)
Brown earned a contract with the Wichita SkyKings to create a three-headed Aggie monster in The Basketball League alongside Teddy Allen and Johnny McCants. Brown made his professional debut on March 3, 2023, when he helped lead the SkyKings to the franchise’s first-ever victory. In the season-opening win, Brown finished as one of five SkyKings in double figures, posting 17 points. Thus far, Brown has appeared in 19 games and has averaged 11.9 points, 3.6 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 1.1 steals per game while helping lead the SkyKings to a 17-4 record. Brown’s first season at the next level was highlighted by a 29-point outburst against the Little Rock Lightning on March 26, 2023, when he finished with five made threes and went 11-of-22 from the field. This also came on the heels of a 27-point scoring effort against the St. Louis Griffins on March 24, 2023.
Prior to his graduation to the professional ranks, Brown played two seasons with NM State and developed a reputation as one of the WAC’s premier three-point shooters. In total, Brown played in 61 games for the Aggies and helped lead the program to its 22
nd NCAA Tournament appearance after averaging a team-high 11.3 points per game during the 2018-19 season. Across two years with the Aggies, Brown picked up WAC All-Defensive Team, First Team All-WAC, WAC All-Tournament Team and NABC First-Team All-District honors.
Brown Pro File
2023-Present | Wichita SkyKings (TBL)
Ivan Aurrecoechea | NM State 2018-20 | Albacete Basket (Liga Española de Baloncesto)
Aurrecoechea is currently in his first season with Albacete Basket – a Spanish team in the country’s second division. Through 33 games this season, he leads the team in rebounds (7.4) and field goal percentage (48.9%) and ranks second in points (11.8). In a win over San Pablo Burgos, he poured in a season-high 28 points to go along with 13 rebounds – one of his nine double-doubles on the year. In 2021 he played for Grindavík in the second tier of the Icelandic Basketball Federation, playing in 21 games and averaging 18.8 points and 11 rebounds per game. The Spaniard had one of his more impressive outings in a 100-84 win over Breiðablik as he racked up 28 points to go along with seven rebounds and three steals.
Following a two-year career with the Aggies, Aurrecoechea inked a professional deal with Icelandic club Þór Akureyri. In 20 games with the team, he led in both points (21) and rebounds (11.9), helping them to the Express League Play-Offs for the first time since 2016.
An All-WAC First Team and an NABC All-District Six Second Team selection in 2019-20, Aurrecoechea starred as one of the premier front court players in the region – averaging 11.4 and 5.6 rebounds on an NM State team that was 25-6 before the COVID-19 pandemic cut their season short. In the 2018-19 campaign, Aurrecoechea managed 9.6 points and 5.3 rebounds per contest, helping the Aggies to a near-upset of Final Four participant Auburn in the NCAA Tournament.
Aurrecoechea Pro File
2020-21 | Þór Akureyri (Deild Karla)
2022-22 | Grindavík (Deild Karla)
2022-Present | Albacete Basket (LEB Oro)
Trevelin Queen | NM State 2018-20 | Fort Wayne Mad Ants (NBA G League)
Though undrafted in the 2020 NBA Draft, the Glen Burnie, Md., product was picked up by the Houston Rockets, signing him to an undrafted free agent contract. Queen appeared in two preseason games for the Rockets, averaging 2.5 points, 2.5 rebounds, 0.5 assists and 1.0 blocked shot per game before being waived on Wednesday, Dec. 16, 2020.
One of the most exciting players to ever suit up for the Aggies, Queen helped NM State go 55-11 (.833) during his two-year stint in Las Cruces. That record included an incredible 31-1 (.969) mark in Western Athletic Conference (WAC) regular season games and as a result the Aggies picked up a pair of WAC regular season titles and the only available WAC Tournament crown during that stretch.
Individually, Queen submitted averages of 13.2 points, 5.2 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 1.7 steals per game while putting up shooting splits of .471/.387/.814 during the 2019-20 campaign. That allowed Queen to earn All-WAC Second Team, NABC District Six Second Team and USBWA All-District VIII Team laurels at the conclusion of the campaign.
Beginning his career as a spark plug off of the bench for the Aggies in 2018-19, Queen's path toward NM State stardom began in the 2019 WAC Tournament title bout with third-seeded Grand Canyon. Queen caught fire, erupting for an NM State career-best 27 points to help the Aggies rip the Lopes – and was named the WAC Tournament's Most Valuable Player.
Queen Pro File
2021-22 | Houston Rockets/Rio Grande Valley Vipers (NBA/G League)
2022-23 | Indiana Pacers/Fort Wayne Mad Ants (NBA/G League)
Jemerrio Jones | NM State 2016-18 | Osceola Magic (NBA G League)
A stint with the Lakeland (now Osceola) Magic began the 2022-23 season, suiting up in eight games before.
Splitting the 2021-22 season between a pair of his former G League homes, Jones played in a combined 31 games for the South Bay Lakers and the Wisconsin Herd, averaging 6.2 points and 7.7 rebounds while shooting 56.7% from the field in 21.5 minutes per game. In the season finale against the Sioux Falls Skyforce, he put up nine points, seven rebounds and nine assists, adding in a steal and block to preserve a three-point win. A rebounding machine, the 6-foot-6 forward recorded double-digit rebounds 14 times, and recorded more rebounds than points 24 times, adding in five double-doubles.
Chosen in the second round of the NBA G League Draft by the Delaware Blue Coats, affiliate of the Philadelphia 76ers in the 2021 NBA G League Draft, he became a fixture in the Blue Coats' lineup during their abbreviated 2021 season, Jones averaged 6.1 points, 8.2 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 1.3 steals in 25.9 minutes per game. After the Blue Coats' 12-game regular season, the squad made a run to the NBA G League Finals where they lost to the Lakeland Magic. During the team's playoff run, Jones put up averages of 5.3 points, 8.7 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 1.3 steals in 26.1 minutes per game.
During the abbreviated 2019-20 NBA G League season, Jones led the G League in total rebounds and carved out a spot for himself on the All-NBA G League Third Team in the process. Averaging 10.8 points, 12.1 rebounds and 4.5 assists in 42 games (40 starts) with the Wisconsin Herd (affiliate of the Milwaukee Bucks).
After a great rookie season with the South Bay Lakers, the NBA G League affiliate for the Los Angeles Lakers, Jemerrio Jones was rewarded with a call-up to the storied franchise. Hours after signing his reported two-year contact with a team option in 2019-20, Jones was on hand and made his NBA debut with the Lakers at New Orleans on March 31, 2019. The ferocious rebounder picked up an offensive rebound just 28 seconds into the game before getting a steal and lay-up in his first game in the Purple & Gold.
Taken by the Santa Cruz Warriors with the 18
th overall pick in the 2018 NBA G League draft, he was traded alongside a 2019 G League first round pick to the South Bay Lakers in exchange for the rights to Alen Smailagic, the number four overall pick. The Memphis, Tenn., product saw action in 47 games while starting in six, averaging 9.4 points, a team-best 9.6 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 1.4 steals and 1.0 blocks. Like his days at New Mexico State, Jones recorded double-digit rebounds in 21 games with 15 double-doubles. He scored a career-high 21 points against Stockton and pulled a career-high 18 rebounds twice.
Jones left New Mexico State after two seasons as one of the best to ever don the Crimson & White. The forward left the Aggies ranked third all-time in rebounds per game (10.8) and tied for eighth in total rebounds (737). He is also second in the single season record books in rebounds (450) and tied for third in rebounds per game (13.2). Jones also became the first player this century to record 20-plus rebounds in three-consecutive games according to ESPN Stats & Info and Stats LLC (since 1997).
His senior campaign culminated in a bevy of postseason awards – Associated Press All-American Honorable Mention, WAC Player of the Year, WAC Tournament MVP, NABC First-Team All-District and the USBWA All-District VIII team after averaging 11.3 points and 14.1 rebounds.
Jones Pro File
2018-19 | South Bay Lakers (NBA G-League)
2018-19 | Los Angeles Lakers (NBA)
2019-20 | Wisconsin Herd (NBA G-League)
2020-21 | Delaware Blue Coats (NBA G-League)
2021-22 | Wisconsin Herd (NBA G-League)
2021-22 | South Bay Lakers (NBA G-League)
2021-22 | Los Angeles Lakers (NBA)
2022-23 | Lakeland Magic (NBA G-League)
Zach Lofton | NM State 2017-18 | Dynamo Lebanon (Lebanon - LBL)
Lofton just recently completed his season with Dynamo Lebanon, a first division team in the Lebanese Basketball League. Named Guard of the Year, All-Import Team and a First-Team LBL selection he put up 22.8 points, 4.5 rebounds and 4.5 assists, while shooting 48% from the field and 36% from three-point range. His efforts helped lead the team to the LBL Championship, where they ultimately fell in five games. In the last game of the series, Lofton left it all out of the court – pouring in 37 points, grabbing down a season-high 13 rebounds while snagging five steals.
Prior to his time in Lebanon, he played for Kazma SC of Kuwait. In a matchup with Al Kuwait, Lofton exploded for 55 points, though his team was unable to come away with a win.
In early 2020, he headed overseas to Germany, joining up with the Rostock Seawolves - a team in the German ProA league. In six games for the Seawolves, Lofton averaged 27.7 points, 4.7 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 1.0 steals per game.
In 2019, Lofton procured a stint with the Milwaukee Bucks in the NBA Summer League. Lofton signed a two-way contract with the Detroit Pistons ahead of the 2018-19 NBA season, and made his NBA debut on opening-night against the Brooklyn Nets. Lofton played the majority of his two-way contract with Detroit's G League affiliate the Grand Rapids Drive, averaging 13.3 points, 3.1 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.2 steals with a .407 shooting clip.
While with New Mexico State, Lofton thrived on the court. He finished his lone season in the Crimson & White averaging a team-high 20.1 points to go along with 5.0 rebounds per game en route to First-Team All-WAC, WAC All-Newcomer, NABC First-Team (District 6) and USBWA All-District VIII Team honors.
Lofton Pro File
2018-19 | Detroit Pistons (NBA)
2018-19 | Grand Rapids Drive (NBA G-League)
2019-20 | Milwaukee Bucks (NBA Summer League)
2019-20 | Rostock Seawolves (ProA)
2021-22 | Kazma (Kuwait – D1)
2022-23 | Dynamo Lebanon (LBL)
Jonathan Wilkins | NM State 2014-18 | Stade Malien (Mali - Ligue 1)
Wilkins enter his second season with Stade Marseillas UC in his native country of France for the 2019-20 season after graduating from New Mexico State.
While in the Crimson & White, Wilkins helped lead the team to three WAC Tournament Titles and three NCAA Tournament appearances. The 6-10 forward started in 101-of-132 games as an Aggie and averaged 5.2 points, 3.0 rebounds with 136 assists and 75 blocks on top of a .533 shooting clip.
Pascal Siakam | NM State 2013-16 | Toronto Raptors (NBA)
The Doula, Cameroon, native was selected in the first round by the Toronto Raptors as the 27th overall pick in the 2016 NBA Draft. Siakam recently finished up his seventh season with the Toronto Raptors, recording career highs in points (24.2) and assists (5.8), while adding in 7.8 rebounds, shooting 48% from the field and 32.4% from the three-point line. He also made his second All-Star game appearance, breaking a tie with Sam Lacey to hold sole possession of most selections by a former Aggie. On December 21
st 2022, Siakam joined LeBron James, Stephen Curry and James Harden as the only active NBA players to score 50 or more points at Madison Square Garden – pouring in 52 points, nine rebounds and seven assists in a 113-106 win.
During his sixth NBA season Siakam averaged 22.8 points, 8.5 rebounds and 5.3 assists per game, earning himself an All-NBA Third Team selection. This marks the second All-NBA nod of his career (2019-20) and tied Demar Derozan for most All-NBA selections by a Toronto Raptor.
Siakam was thrust into the national spotlight with a 2019-2020 season that saw the forward average 22.9 points, 7.3 rebounds and 3.5 assists – securing a spot on the All-NBA Second Team at the conclusion of the season. This makes him the first Aggie to ever earn the distinction. This was also his first selection to the NBA All-Star game, making him the second Aggie to ever accomplish the feat. That year, he also helped the defending league champion Raptors move on to the Eastern Conference Semifinals where they dropped a seven-game series to the Boston Celtics.
Siakam's success in his third season with the Raptors has been widely documented and culminated with the former Aggie helping guide Toronto to an NBA Championship. Meanwhile, Siakam was also named the NBA’s Most Improved Player after averaging 16.9 points and 6.9 rebounds in 2018-19 after averaging just 7.3 points and 4.5 boards in 2017-18. His 16.9 points average during the banner year for Toronto was only second to NBA veteran and all-star Kawhi Leonard (26.6 ppg).
In his second season with the Raptors, Siakam saw action in 81 games while starting in five and averaged 7.3 points, 4.5 rebounds and 2.0 assists. He got his first taste of the NBA Playoffs in 2018, seeing action in 10 games while guarding one of the NBA’s greatest players ever – Lebron James – in the Eastern Conference Semifinals.
He split time between the Raptors and their then-D-League affiliate Raptors 905 in his first professional season. Siakam averaged 4.2 points and 3.4 rebounds in 55 NBA games and also shined with the Raptors 905 – Siakam was named the NBA Development League Finals MVP after averaging 23 points and nine rebounds while leading his team to a D-League Championship. The former Aggie star played in five regular season games and seven postseason games with the Raptors 905.
He is just the third player in NM State history and the first player in the last 46 years to be selected in the first round of the NBA Draft since Sam Lacey (fifth overall) and Jimmy Collins (11th) in 1970. Siakam is also the first NM State basketball player drafted in the NBA since Randy Brown, who was the fourth pick in the second round of the 1991 NBA Draft.
The 6-9 forward had a breakout season in 2015-16, averaging 20.3 points and 11.6 rebounds and earned AP All-America Honorable Mention honors. He also racked up Western Athletic Conference Player of the Year, NABC First-Team All-District, USBWA All-District and Lou Henson All-America honors.
He led the nation with a whopping 27 double-doubles as a redshirt sophomore and finished in the top 40 in several statistical categories, averaging 20.3 points (26th), 11.6 rebounds (eighth) and 2.4 blocks (32nd). Of the 22 players in 2015-16 that averaged a double-double, Siakam was the only player to score 20-plus points per game.
In just two seasons in Las Cruces, Siakam recorded 1,126 points - which ranks 21st in the program's all-time scoring list. His two-year total in points is also the fourth-best in NM State history while his 658 career rebounds rank him 15th all-time.
Siakam Pro File
2016-17 | Raptors 905 (NBA G-League)
2016-Present | Toronto Raptors (NBA)
Daniel Mullings | NM State 2011-15 | Scarborough Shooting Stars (CEBL)
A well-traveled professional Aggie, Mullings recently signed with the Scarborough Shooting Stars of the Canadian Elite Basketball League, the third team he’s played for in the CEBL. The Toronto native most recently played for the Brampton Honey Badgers during their games in the Basketball Champions League America games, the “most important men’s basketball league in the continent”, with the winner of the BCLA earning a spot in the FIBA Intercontinental Cup 2024.
During the 2021-22 season he split time between the Niagara River Lions (17 games, 8.8 points, 6.1 rebounds and 2.0 steals per game) of the CEBL and the Klosterneuburg Dukes of the Australian Basketball Bundesliga (10 games, 11.8 points per game).
His 2020-21 consisted of playing for three different teams: Opening the year with Limburg United of Belgium’s BXNT (seven games, 8.3 points per game), Elitzur Yavne of Liga Lemuit, the second division of professional basketball in Israel (six games, 14.5 points, 10.2 rebounds per game), and the Niagara River Lions (six games, 6.9 points, 3.9 rebounds per game).
The 2019-20 season consisted of Mullings’ first stints with the Niagara River Lions and Elitzur Yavne. In 17 games with the Israeli club, he recorded averages of 20.4 points, 7.4 rebounds and 3.6 steals per game, helping the team to a 13-4 record when he played. Against Hapoel Haifa, he poured in 32 points on 66% shooting while also grabbing 13 rebounds.
Mullings’ longest stint with a team was his three seasons with Kataja BC of the Korisliiga, the top-tier professional basketball league in Finland. Suiting up 57 times from 2016-2019, he averaged 14.4 points, 7.3 rebounds and 2.2 steals per game.
Mullings spent 2016 in China with the Jianghuai Lightning. The Canada native averaged 33 points, 10.9 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 4.6 steals per game in a breakout pro season – leading the NBL in steals per game.
Mullings started his professional basketball career in Germany and played for Medi Bayreuth in the Basketball Bundesliga, which is the highest level of professional basketball in Germany. In 15.3 minutes per game, he averaged 5.2 points and 1.9 rebounds. Against Basketball Löwen Braunschweig, the guard scored a season-high 16 points while making five three-pointers.
He also had NBA workouts with the Miami Heat and Phoenix Suns the summer before signing in Germany.
A two time First-Team All-WAC selection and a three time All-WAC Defensive Team honoree, he finished his Aggie career with 1,677 points – fourth in program history, and is the program's all-time leader in career steals with 249. The Toronto native was named Western Athletic Conference Player of the Year for 2013-14 during his junior season, when he averaged 16.8 points, 3.5 assists, 4.9 rebounds and 1.9 steals – a season that ended in a near-upset, overtime loss to San Diego State in the NCAA Tournament. Mullings is the only NM State player in program history to play in four NCAA Tournaments.
He also represented Canada in the 2013 World University Games, helping Canada reach the semifinals and was named an All-University Games first-teamer.
Mullings Pro File
2015-16 | Medi Bayreuth (BBL)
2016 | JiangHuai Lightning (NBL)
2016-19 | Kataja BC (Korisliiga)
2019-20 | Elitzur Yavne (INL)
2019-20 | Niagara River Lions (CEBL)
2020-21 | Limburg United (BNXT/PBL)
2020-21 | Elitzur Yavne (INL)
2021-22 | Niagara River Lions (CEBL)
2021-22 | Klosterneuburg Dukes (ABB)
2021-22 | Niagara River Lions (CEBL)
2022-23 | Brampton Honey Badgers (CEBL/BCLA)
2023-Present | Scarborough Shooting Stars (CEBL)
Tshilidzi Nephawe | NM State 2010-15 | Kyoto Hannaryz (Japan-B1 League)
Nephawe, a Johannesburg, South Africa native, has spent his entire professional career in Japan and most recently played for the Kyoto Hannaryz of Japan’s B1 League. The 2021-22 season saw him suit up for the Niigata Albirex, averaging 10.5 points, 7.4 rebounds on shooting 54% from the field in 51 games.
He closed out the 2020-21 season with the Hiroshima Dragonflies after spending the majority of his past two seasons with the Fukushima Firebonds in Japan’s B2 League, playing in 55 games. His best season with the team saw him produce 18.2 points, 12.9 rebounds and 1.9 blocks in 33 minutes per game.
In his second season abroad Nephawe played for the Sendai 89ers – playing in 60 games, averaging 10.9 points and 8.5 rebounds. He also took part in the Inaugural B. League All-Star Slam Dunk Contest. The former Aggie star big man signed his first professional contract to play for the Kumamoto Vorters back in July 2015.
Affectionately known as ‘Chili’ during his time in Las Cruces, Nephawe brought a toughness and tenacity that helped the Aggies thrive during his tenure, making
scored 1,087 points during his Aggie career. The Johannesburg native averaged 10.4 points and 7.6 rebounds in 22 games as a senior (2014-15). Nephawe was the 2015 Western Athletic Conference Tournament MVP and a two-time All-WAC Second-Team selection.
Nephawe Pro File
2015-16 | Kumamoto Vorters (B1 League)
2016-17 | Sendai 86ers (B1 League)
2019-21 | Fukushima Firebonds (B2 League)
2020-21 | Hiroshima Dragonflies (B1 League)
2021-22 | Niigata Albirex (B1 League)
2022-Present | Kyoto Hannaryz (B1 League)
Sim Bhullar | NM State 2012-14 | Tainan TSG GhostHawks (Taiwan-T1 League)
Former New Mexico State center Sim Bhullar is currently playing with the Tainan TSG GhostHawks of Taiwan’s T1 League, averaging 18.7 points, 12.6 rebounds and 1.7 blocks across 29 games. A six game stint with the Hsinchu JKO Lioneers opened his 2022-23 season (18.3 points, 15.0 rebounds, 1.5 blocks per game).
On December 16
th, his first game with the GhostHawks, Bhullar matched up with former NBA Champion Dwight Howard in Howard’s third game playing for the Taoyuan Leopards. The 7-foot-5 Toronto native gave the 6-foot-10 Howard fits throughout the game with his size, quoted after the 87-78 win saying “For me, I don’t really care who I play against. It is what it is, which is basketball. I never back down from anybody on the court. It’s just another matchup for me.”
Prior to signing with the GhostHawks, Bhullar spent the majority of two seasons in the P. League+, based in Taiwan. He has been a mainstay in Taiwan since the 2016 season, playing for three different teams in the Super Basketball League, a semi-pro league in the country. In 2017 he had a brief stay with the Guangxi Rhinos, competing in the NBL out of China.
Bhullar suited up for his second D-League team, the Raptor 905 during their 2015-16 campaign, appearing in 39 games (27 starts) and averaging 9.6 points, 6.9 rebounds and 1.3 blocks. He led the league in field goal percentage (65.8%) for the second straight season.
On April 2
nd, 2015, Bhullar signed a ten day contract with the Sacramento Kings, making his NBA debut on April 7
th against the Minnesota Timberwolves. His entry into the game made him the first player of Indian descent to play in the NBA. The following day, he scored his first basket and recorded his first rebound against the Utah Jazz and tallied his first block against the Oklahoma City Thunder. Bhullar also played on Canada's 2015 Pan American Games team, winning a silver medal.
Bhullar was named a 2015 NBA D-League All-Rookie Third Team and D-League All-Defensive Second Team selection while playing with the Reno Bighorns, the G-League affiliate of the Sacramento Kings. In 39 games with the team, he averaged 10.3 points, 8.8 rebounds and 3.9 blocks per game. He led the D-League in total blocks (151), blocks per game and field goal percentage (72.1%).
Bhullar was a two-time WAC Tournament MVP, helping the Aggies to two WAC Tournament titles and two NCAA Tournament appearances in 2013 and 2014. The 7-foot-5 Bhullar played at NM State for two seasons from 2012-14 and holds the school record for blocks in a season with 101 in 2013-14. Bhullar is also second in program history with 85 blocks during the 2012-13 campaign.
Bhullar Pro File
2014-15 | Reno Bighorns (NBA D-League)
2015 | Sacramento Kings (NBA)
2015-16 | Raptors 905 (NBA D-League)
2017 | Guangxi Rhinos (NBL)
2016-18 | Dacin Tigers (SBL)
2019-20 | Taipei Fubon Braves (SBL)
2019-20 | Yulon Luxgen Dinos (SBL)
2021-23 | Hsinchu JKO Lioneers (P. League+)
2022-Present | Tainan TSG GhostHawks (T1 League)
Renaldo Dixon | NM State 2010-14 | Shinagawa City BC (Japan – B3 League)
Dixon most recently completed a season with Shinagawa City BC of Japan’s B3 League, averaging 12.3 points and 5.6 rebounds across 52 games. Against the Yokohama Excellence, he tallied 27 points on a season-high six three-pointers.
The 2021-22 season saw the 6-foot-9 big man play for the Aomori Watts in Japan’s B2 League, putting up 11.5 points and 6.8 rebounds in 52 games. Against Earth Friends Tokyo Z, Dixon put up 21 points, adding in eight rebounds, four assists and a career high five steals in an 89-65 victory.
He suited up for four seasons in Canada’s NBL, spending his first three years with the Halifax Hurricanes before moving over to the Saint John Riptide. In 113 games, he averaged 6.3 points and 3.3 rebounds. Add a standout game.
He began his professional career in Germany, signing with the Itzehoe Eagles in the ProB League. In 13 games, Dixon put up 14.3 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 3.0 ‘stocks’ (blocks and steals) in 28 minutes a night. Add a standout game.
Dixon was a part-time starter in his final two seasons with the Aggies. He finished his three-year career at NM State with 524 points (6.1 per game). He was a 52-percent shooter in his career and averaged 4.3 rebounds. He helped NM State to a pair of NCAA Tournament games, and recorded eight rebounds with three steals in the Aggie’s 2013 First Round Game against Saint Louis.
Dixon Pro File
2014-15 | Itzehoe Eagles (ProB)
2015-18 | Halifax Hurricanes (NBLC)
2018-19 | Saint John Riptide (NBLC)
2019-20 | Pueblo Nuevo (Santiago League)
2021-22 | Aomori Watts (B2 League)
2022-Present | Shinagawa City BC (B3 League)
Bandja Sy | NM State 2009-13 | Boulogne-Levallois (France – LNB Pro A)
Sy recently finished his second season with the French club Boulogne-Levallois, more commonly known as Metropolitans 92. The 6-foot-8 big man shared the court with much hyped prospect and presumed number one pick in the 2023 NBA Draft Victor Wembanyama for 35 games, averaging 6.6 points and 3.4 rebounds while shooting 52.9% from the field and 40.7% from three-point range in 20 minutes a night. Sy’s team played a pair of exhibition matches against the NBA’s G-League Ignite, a team featuring the second-best prospect in the 2023 NBA Draft (Scoot Henderson) and projected first-rounder Leonard Miller. The former Aggie recorded 10 points and four rebounds in a 122-115 loss, and 12 points and four rebounds in a 112-106 win.
Prior to his French return, he suited up for two season with Andorra BC of Spain’s LEB Oro, averaging 6.2 points and 3.9 rebounds on 48.7% shooting across 76 games, including the playoffs and Eurocup competition. Against AS Monaco of the LNB Pro A League, Sy put up 16 points and seven rebounds in 24 minutes.
Sy spent two seasons with KK Partizan, a Serbian team that competes in the KLS alongside the ABA, a regional domestic league featuring squads from the former Yugoslavia. In both seasons with the squad, he won the Radivoj Korać Cup, given to the best team in Serbia. Across 56 games, he averaged 10.6 points and 3.8 rebounds. In a game against KK Dynamic, the Paris-native put up 19 points on 6-for-6 shooting, including a pair of three-pointers.
On September 15
th, 2017, he signed with AEK Athens, a Greek club that competes in the GBL – where two-time NBA MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo began his career. He played ten games with the team before signing with KK Partizan for the remainder of the 2017-18 season.
In Sy’s first four seasons out of the Crimson & White, he played for three different French squads in the LNB Pro A – ASVEL Basket, SLUC Nancy Basket and Élan Béarnais, where he signed his first professional contract. The best campaign of his young professional career came in the 2015-16 season finale against Nanterre 92; scoring 26 points on 10-of-13 shooting in a 121-120 thriller.
In his final season with NM State in 2012-13, Sy was a First-Team All-WAC honoree. He led the Aggies in rebounding with 7.3 boards and was second on the squad in scoring with 11.9 points per game. Sy was the only Aggie to start in all 35 games in 2012-13. At the conclusion of his career, he ranked 10th on NM State's games played list with 119.
Sy Pro File
2013-14 | Élan Béarnais (LNB Pro A)
2014-16 | SLUC Nancy Basket (LNB Pro A)
2016-17 | ASVEL Basket (LNB Pro A)
2017-18 | AEK Athens (GBL)
2017-19 | KK Partizan (ABA/KLS)
2019-21 | BC Andorra (LEB Oro)
2021-Present | Boulogne-Levallois (LNB Pro A)
Troy Gillenwater | NM State 2008-12 | Shandong Hi-Speed Kirin (China-CBA)
Gillenwater has suited up across the globe since leaving NM State, making stops in Cyprus, Israel, Russia, Turkey, South Korea, Puerto Rico, Venezuela, Japan, the Philippines and China. The 6-foot-8 forward has spent the past three seasons with Shandong Hi-Speed Kirin of the CBA in China. In 83 games with the squad, he’s averaged 20.7 points and 6.8 rebounds. Against Shanxi he tallied 45 points, going 9-of-13 from the field and making six three-pointers, a career-best.
The 2019-20 campaign saw him suit up for the Incheon Elephants in the KBL, the top professional league in South Korea. Taking part in 24 games, he averaged a team-high 16.6 points, while adding in 4.8 rebounds in 17.4 minutes a night. His .843 shooting clip from the free throw line also led the team. For his efforts he was named an All-KBL 2
nd Team member.
He spent the majority of the 2016-17 season with Alvark Tokyo of Japan’s B1 League, appearing in 26 games and averaging 17.2 points before closing out the year with a three-game stint for Eskişehir Basket in Turkey.
The 2015-16 season saw Gillenwater play for a pair of teams – suiting up for the Changwon LG Sakers in the KBL and the La Guaira Bucaneros in the SPB, the top level of professional basketball in Venezuela. Appearing in 51 games for the Sakers, he was second in the league with 26.2 points per contest, and fifth in the KBL with 9.0 rebounds a night in 31.9 minutes of action. In two games of action for the Bucaneros, the 6-foot-9 big man produced ten points, seven rebounds and a pair of steals.
Gillenwater began the 2014-15 season with Goyang Orions of South Korea’s KBL. Playing in 58 games (four starts), he led his team to a 30-24 record while putting up 19.9 points a night, the second-best mark in the league. Despite losing in the quarterfinals of the KBL play-offs, he played well in his role, averaging 22.2 points and 5.8 rebounds in 20.2 minutes a night. In game two of a five-game series against the LG Sakers, the former Aggie erupted for a season-high 37 points, shooting 80% from the field and 3-for-3 from long range – also adding in nine rebounds in just 25 minutes.
He appeared in 26 games for Konyaspor, a team playing in Turkey’s top professional basketball league (BSL). His 17.2 points per game ranked third in the league, while also adding 5.2 rebounds. Gillenwater scored 20+ points 11 times. In a one-point win over Gaziantep, he erupted for 22 points on 7-of-15 shooting, collecting six rebounds as well.
In 2012-13, the 6-foot-8 big man joined BC Spartak of the SL-1, the second-tier of basketball in Russia. In 14 games with the squad, he averaged 15.1 points and 5.4 rebounds, shooting 47.6% from the field – scoring in double-digits for all but three games. In a win over BC UNICS, he produced a season high 23 points while adding seven rebounds.
The former Aggie split his first professional season between Apollon Limmasol in Cyprus (12 games played, 17.3 points and 7.0 rebounds per game) and BC Habrikaa of Israel’s Ligat HaAl, the top level of competition in the country.
As a junior Gillenwater led the Aggies in scoring (18.9 points, 39
th in the NCAA) and rebounding (6.3 rebounds), and was named First-Team All-WAC, along with an NABC selection. In his sophomore campaign, Gillenwater averaged 14.6 points, good for third on the team. That season the Aggies made it to the NCAA Tournament to matchup with Michigan State, featuring the 2009 Big Ten Player of the Year Kalin Lucas and future NBA Champion Draymond Green. In his first season with the Aggies, Gillenwater started the first eight games of the season and played in 30 games while averaging 12.1 points and 4.3 rebounds.
Gillenwater Pro File
2011-12 | Apollon Limmasol (OPAP)
2011-12 | Habrikaa BC (IPL)
2012-13 | BC Spartak Primorye (SL-1)
2013-14 | Konyaspor (BSL)
2014-15 | Goyang Orions (KBL)
2014-15 | Quebradillas Pirates (BSN)
2015-16 | Changwon LG Sakers (KBL)
2015-16 | Bucaneros de La Guaira (SPB)
2016-17 | Alvark Tokyo (B1 League)
2016-17 | Eskişehir Basket (BSL)
2017-18 | San Miguel Beermen (PBA)
2019-20 | Incheon Elephants (KBL)
2021-Present | Shandong Hi-Speed Kirin (CBA)
Jonathan Gibson | NM State 2006-10 | Beijing Ducks (China-CBA)
Gibson has spent a majority of his professional career in China, with stints in Turkey, Italy, Iran and Israel along the way, including a pair of stops in the NBA with the Boston Celtics and Dallas Mavericks. He has spent the past three seasons with the Beijing Ducks, putting up 20.7 points across 78 games.
He spent his 2019-20 season with the Jiangsu Dragons of China’s CBA, averaging 31.2 points and shooting 40.7% from three-point range across 18 games. In a 114-113 victory over the Tianjin Pioneers, Gibson exploded for a season-high 46 points on 13-for-22 shooting, including 7-10 from the three – one of eight games he made five or more threes.
He played his 2018-19 campaign with the Qingdao Eagles recording 33.7 points, 6.8 rebounds and 4.7 assists in 38.6 minutes a night. This would be his third go around with the squad, playing in the 2017-18 and 2015-16 seasons with the team. His 33.7 points per game ranked fourth in the CBA while his 3.9 threes per game ranked sixth.
The 6-foot-2 guard played out the 2017-18 CBA season with the Qingdao Eagles – putting up 33.7 points, 6.8 rebounds and 4.7 assists in 38.6 minutes a night, before heading to the NBA for a four-game stint with the Boston Celtics. In his second go around with the C’s, he suited up for four games, averaging 8.5 points a contest. In the last game of the season, Gibson played 24 minutes, putting up 18 points on 61.5% shooting in a 110-97 win over the Brooklyn Nets.
Gibson signed a three-deal year with the Dallas Mavericks in July of 2016 following a strong showing for the Mavericks in the NBA Summer League, where he averaged 17 points. During the 2016-17 NBA season, Gibson appeared in 17 games with the Mavericks, averaging 6.2 points per game. In just his second game with the Mavs, he scored 26 points on 8-16 shooting against the Orlando Magic, including five three pointers – the most points the West Covina, California native has scored in the NBA.
During his first stint with the Qingdao Eagles in the 2015-16 season, he paced the CBA in scoring with an astounding 42 points a night, earning himself an All-CBA Third-Team Selection. Against the Guangzhou Long Lions, Gibson put together a 50-point, seven rebound, nine assist performance to secure a 151-148 victory.
He made a journey to the Middle East for the 2014-15 season, joining Petrochimi out of Iran on a one-month deal. Over eight games with the team, Gibson averaged 30.9 points, 4.5 rebounds and 1.8 steals per game – including a 41-point performance in the decisive game five to win the Iranian Super League title; he was also named Finals MVP and All-Iranian Super League Guard of the Year.
The 2013-14 season marked Gibson’s first playing in China, signing with the Zhejiang Lions. In 33 games, he put up 31.7 points, 4.5 rebounds and 6.2 assists per night – leading the CBA in scoring en route to a All-CBA Second-Team Selection alongside former NBA star Stephon Marbury. He took his game to another level in the playoffs, averaging a blistering 39 points per game.
Playing his first full season with Italian squad New Basket Brindisi in the 2012-13 season, he put up 18.3 points per game and was named an LBA All-Star. Against Pallacanestro Varese, he tallied 34 points, five rebounds and three assists, going 14-18 from the free-throw line.
Joining Turkish squad Trabzonspor BK for the 2011-12 season, He led the Turkish League (BSL) in scoring with 19.9 points per game, and was named a BSL All-Star, while also winning the Three-Point Shootout. In a matchup with Bandırma B.I.K., Gibson put up a season-high 38 points, chipping in six assists. He joined New Basket Brindisi ahead of their playoff run, putting up 19 points, seven rebounds and seven assists in one regular season game. He shined in the playoffs, averaging 24.6 points and 3.0 assists on the way to winning the LeagueDue championship.
Gibson split his first season of professional basketball between Oyak Renault of Turkey and Ironi Ashkelon in Israel’s Liga Lemuit. He led the Turkish team with 18.1 points per game, and added in 8.5 points across 13 games for the Israeli squad.
Gibson played at NM State from 2006-10 and scored 1,541 career points at NM State, which is seventh in program history. He was part of two WAC Tournament championship teams in 2007 and 2010, earning a Second-Team All-WAC selection in his senior season. In a gut-wrenching lost against Michigan State in the 2010 NCAA Tournament, he scored 16 points, including four three-pointers.
Gibson Pro File
2010-11 | Oyak Renault (TBL)
2010-11 | Ironi Ashkelon (Liga Leumit)
2011-12 | Trabzonspor BK (BSL)
2011-13 | New Basket Brindisi (Serie A2/LBA)
2013-14 | Zhenjiang Lions (CBA)
2014-15 | Petrochimi (IBSL)
2015-16 | Qingdao Eagles (CBA)
2016-17 | Dallas Mavericks (NBA)
2017-18 | Qingdao Eagles (CBA)
2017-18 | Boston Celtics (NBA)
2018-19 | Qingdao Eagles (CBA)
2019-20 | Jiangsu Dragons (CBA)
2020-Present | Beijing Ducks (CBA)
Hatila Passos | NM State 2006-08 | Urunday Universitario (Uruguay-LUB)
Passos has spent the majority of his post-NM State career in Uruguay, playing ten seasons with five different teams in the Liga Uruguaya de Básquetbol – the top league in the country. Prior to playing in Uruguay, Passos played in Brazil, Switzerland, the Domincan Republic and Venezuela. He has made a name for himself in the country, earning three LUB championships, playing for the Uruguayan national team and performing in the country’s version of ‘The Masked Singer’, ‘¿Quién es la máscara?’.
Passos recently completed the 2022-23 campaign with Urunday in Uruguay, averaging 8.1 points and 11.8 rebounds (second-most in the LUB) in 25 games. Against Aguada, he put in ten points while pulling down a career-high 22 rebounds.
Taking his talents to Defensor Sporting (LUB) during the 2021-22 season, Passos recorded 12.4 points and 12.0 rebounds (1
st in the LUB) in 21 games. In a 105-97 first-round playoff win over Olimpia, he recorded 20 points and 14 rebounds.
The 6-foot-9 big man moved onto Biguá, sticking with the LUB for the 2020-21 season. There he earned his third LUB Championship, helping the team knock off Nacional in five games (10.8 points, 10.2 rebounds). He was also named the LUB Center of the Year, garnering a 1
st Team selection in the process.
The 2019-20 season saw him suit up for Nacional in the Uruguayan LUB. He was second in the league with 12.2 rebounds per game, while helping the team advance to the LUB semi-finals, falling to Aguada in five games – though Passos put up 10.5 points and 10.5 rebounds per contest.
From 2016-2019 he played with Club Malvín in Uruguay, helping the team to a league title in 2017, earning Finals MVP after averaging 12.4 points and 10.0 rebounds over the seven game series. He also earned three 2
nd Team All-LUB selections in his three seasons with the team. Passos was also a member of the Uruguayan national team in 2018 and 2019.
Following a short stay in the Dominican Republic’s LNB league with Huracanes del Atlántico in the LUB offseason, Passos remained with Hebraica Macabi for another two seasons, logging 10.9 points and 10.0 rebounds. He helped the squad earn their second LUB title in the 2015-16 season, earning 3
rd Team All-LUB in the process.
After a brief stint with Dominican Republic team Indios de San Francisco de Macorís, Passos reteamed with Hebraica Macabi, playing in 28 games and averaging 11.9 points to go along with 10.5 rebounds throughout the 2013-14 season. In a 90-88 win over Aguada, Passos recorded one of his 14 double-double games on the year, totaling 21 points and a season-high 17 rebounds.
Moving over to the SPB in Venezuela, Passos joined Trotamundos de Carabobo for the 2012-13 season. Playing in 11 games for the team, he averaged 6.5 points and 6.2 rebounds in 20.8 minutes a night.
Resigning with Hebraica for the 2012-13 season, he improved to a career best 15.1 points per game, while adding in 11.1 rebounds over 33 games, earning him a 2
nd Team All-LUB selection. After advancing out of the first round, his team had a rematch with 2011-12 LUB runner-up Malvín, falling in five games – Passos refused to go lightly, putting up 16.5 points and 13 rebounds a night in their five games series. He also put up a career-high 28 to go with 18 rebounds in a win over Nacional, and a career-high five blocks against Larre Borges (13 points, 13 rebounds).
Signing with Uruguayan team Hebraica Macabi for the 2011-12 season, he helped guide the team to their first ever LUB Championship, defeating Malvín in five games. In the decisive fifth game, Passos put up 14 points and grabbed 15 rebounds, including seven off the offensive glass. He averaged 14.4 points per game in 50 games, and his 11.4 rebounds per game ranked sixth in the league, taking home a 1
st Team All-LUB selection. In a 66-65 win over Olimpia, Passos recorded a career-high 10 blocks to go along with seven points and four rebounds in just 16 minutes.
Returning to the Marinos for the 2010 campaign, he helped the team reach the LPB championship, though they would fall to Cocodrilos de Caracas. At season’s end, the former Aggie big man would return to his home country of Brazil, suiting up for Unitri/Uberlândia of the NBB. In 34 games he averaged 8.9 points and 6.7 rebounds, helping the team to the NBB quarterfinals.
Passos started the 2009 season with Atlético Atenas in Uruguay, helping the team reach the LUB playoffs. Following the season’s end, he was signed by Marinos de Anzoátegui of Venezuela, where he helped the team win the LPB title. He closed out the year with a six-game stint playing for Lanús of the LNB, putting up 8.2 rebounds and 6.5 rebounds in 20.8 minutes a night.
The 6-foot-9 big man began his professional career with Sion Herens, a team in the second division of Switzerland basketball. Across nine games, he averaged 11.3 points and 10.8 rebounds in 30 minutes a night. In his first game with the club, he put up 15 points and 12 rebounds in a 96-54 win over SAM Basket Massagno. Against the Lugano Tigers, he recorded a career-high eight assists, adding in 21 points and 12 rebounds for a near triple-double.
Transferring in from JUCO Arkansas Fort-Smith ahead of his junior season, Passos set the NM State single-season field-goal percentage record with a .641 shooting clip (116-of-181) before Sim Bhullar broke it during the 2013-14 campaign. His marks of .641 and .631 in his two seasons stand at No. 2 and No. 3, respectively in the single-season list. Meanwhile, his .637 career shooting clip is best all-time for any Aggie player with 200 minimum field-goal attempts. In a 2007 NCAA Tournament matchup against Kevin Durant and the Texas Longhorns, Passos put in 15 points and added eight rebounds.
Passos Pro File
2008-09 | Sion Herens (SBL)
2009 | Atlético Atenas (LNB)
2009 | Marinos de Anzoátegui (LPB)
2009 | Atlético Lanús (LNB)
2010 | Marinos de Anzoátegui (LPB)
2010-11 | Unitri/Uberlândia (NBB)
2011-13 | Hebraica Macabi (LUB)
2013 | Trotamundos de Carabobo (SPB)
2013 | Indios de San Francisco de Macorís (LNB)
2013-14 | Hebraica Macabi (LUB)
2014 | Atlántico Huracanes (LNB)
2014-16 | Hebraica Macabi (LUB)
2016-19 | Club Malvín (LUB)
2019-20 | Club Nacional de Football (LUB)
2020-21 | Club Biguá de Villa Biarritz (LUB)
2021-22 | Defensor Sporting (LUB)
2022-Present | Urunday Universitario (LUB)
