Former Flyers To Start Professional Seasons All Over The World

Michael Crouchley
Sports Editor

For basketball fans, it’s been a long summer. While the FIBA World Cup has done a serviceable job providing some much needed basketball to watch during the offseason, the NBA and NCAA seasons can’t come soon enough.

We’re reaching the end of that waiting period, not just for the NBA and NCAA, but the professional leagues all around the world will be starting their seasons within the next couple months. With basketball coming back, several Dayton alumni will be back in action. Here is where you can keep up with all of your favorite former Flyers this basketball season.

Kostas Antetokounmpo (2017-2018) – Los Angeles Lakers (NBA)

Antetokounmpo, who’s probably better known for his superstar brother Giannis than his playing career up to this point, is the only former Dayton player in the NBA. Antetokounmpo is on a two-way contract with the Lakers, meaning he will split time between the big league club and the South Bay Lakers, their G-League counterpart. Antetokounmpo will be looking to cement himself as an NBA player in his sophomore season after failing to make an impact in Dallas last season.

Josh Cunningham (2016-2019) – ZZ Leiden (Netherlands)

Cunningham’s redshirt-senior season was a bit inconsistent, but he proved to be an invaluable member of the team in both of his final two seasons at Dayton. He’s also one of the most efficient players in UD’s history, shooting 63.9 percent from the field in his career. Cunningham will be looking to start his professional career on the right foot in the Dutch top division.

Charles Cooke III (2015-2017) – Universo De’Longhi Treviso (Italy)

The 2017 graduate was a key player in his two seasons as a Flyer, showing off impressive shooting ability and defense on the wing. Cooke played 13 games in the NBA two seasons ago but has struggled to break onto a roster, playing in the G-League since. Cooke is now headed overseas, where he could elevate his game.

Kyle Davis (2013-2017) – Comunicaciones Mercedes (Argentina)

Davis was a teammate of Cooke’s, also graduating in 2017. He was known for his defensive grit during his time in Dayton. The 2019 season will be Davis’ second season for Comunicaciones Mercedes, and he cemented himself as an important player for the team last season, scoring almost 10 points-per-game.

Dyshawn Pierre (2012-2016) – Banco di Sardegna Sassari (Italy)

Pierre graduated in 2016, and was a key player for the Flyers all four years that he was on the team, including the 2014 team that made a run to the NCAA Tournament Elite Eight. This season will be Pierre’s third in Italy. He had one previous stop, playing in Germany for a season.

Alex Gavrilovic (2011-2014) – Tsmoki-Minsk (Belarus)

The French big man could never really find a consistent role at Dayton, transferring to Towson after three years in front of the Flyer Faithful. Gavrilovic has been a bit of a journeyman in professional basketball, finding himself in Belarus after playing in France and Bulgaria.

Devin Oliver (2010-2014) – JSF Nanterre (France)

The forward was one of the stars for the Dayton alumni team that competed in The Basketball Tournament this summer. Impressive performances became the norm for Oliver since leaving Dayton, as he was twice named the Slovenian League MVP. He’ll be looking to carry that impressive form to France.

Vee Sanford (2012-2014) – CSP Ligomes (France)

Sanford, another important player on the 2014 Elite Eight team, will be spending his third straight season in France. It will also be his third different team in the French league. He has put up impressive numbers in France, averaging about 15 points-per-game in both of the last two seasons.

Kevin Dillard (2011-2013) – Demir Insaat Buyukcekmece (Turkey)

Dillard, the former Dayton point guard, has barely had time to unpack his bags since leaving college. He’s played for 13 different teams in his professional career.

Chris Johnson (2008-2012) – JL Bourg-en-Bresse (France)

Known as a shooter during his college career, Johnson managed to carve out a solid NBA career as a role player for a few years. Johnson never had much success shooting the ball in the NBA, but he played in 147 games over four seasons. Since moving overseas, Johnson has been a regular starter in France and Israel, and will look to continue his production this season back in France.

Devin Searcy (2007-2011) – BCM U Pitesti (Romania)

Searcy was never a prolific scorer in college, but the big man earned minutes doing the dirty work and ended with 130 total games played at Dayton. Searcy has mostly been a role player in his professional career, but seems to have found a niche as a scorer in less competitive international leagues in the last couple seasons.

Robert Lowery (2008-2010) – ASP Promitheas Patras (Greece)

Lowery was mostly a backup in his two years at Dayton, but he has been mostly a starter playing all over the world. ASP Promitheas Patras will be his 11th different team.

While that encompasses the list of Dayton alumni currently on professional rosters, there are a few more that could sign a contract before the start of the season. Here a few more former Flyers that were playing professionally last season, and are likely to find a team in the coming weeks.

Darrell Davis (2014-2018)

Scoochie Smith (2013-2017)

Kendall Pollard (2013-2017)

Jordan Sibert (2013-2015)

Chris Wright (2007-2011)

Brian Roberts (2004-2008)

There are several players repping the University of Dayton all over the world, and now you know where to look if you want to keep up to date on their careers. 

As far as the current Flyers, fans will get their first taste of Dayton basketball this season on Nov. 2 when Dayton takes on Cedarville at UD Arena in an exhibition game.