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14 Seton Hall men's basketball alums are active professionally across the top international leagues
Jan. 13, 2016
Whether it is at the high school, collegiate or professional level, the heart of basketball season has arrived and the Pirates that currently reside in South Orange are far from the only ones heating up the hardwood this winter.
With the new year underway, 14 Seton Hall men's basketball alums who were active at the professional level this season -- a group that spans 12 different countries and three different continents. Of the former Pirates currently plying their trade across the globe, 11 played at least one season under head coach Kevin Willard.
From Rimas Kaukenas who continues to thrive despite over a decade as one of the premier players on the international scene to all-time Class of 2015 member Brandon Mobley who recently starred in his professional debut, these Pirates continue to play at a level that honors the program's rich tradition while strengthening its presence around the world.
Patrik Auda, F -- 2010-14Current Team: AZS Koszalin (Poland)
Years Pro: 2
Moving over to AZS Koszalin in Poland for his second professional season after starring for league rival Polfarmex Kutno last year, Auda has cemented himself among his new squad's starting five. Through 16 appearances, the Czech-born former Pirate leads the team with 6.9 rebounds per game and has knocked down the most field goals on the squad (63-123, .512) to rank second with 13.1 ppg. Only two other AZS Koszalin players are averaging in double-figures, both of whom are American imports.
ANDRE BARRETT, G -- 2000-04Current Team: Toros (Venezuela)
Years Pro: 12
Seton Hall Athletics Hall of Famer Andre Barrett is still displaying the same form that catipulted him into a place among the program's elite players. After stewarding the Westchester Knicks through their inaugural NBA D-League season last year, Barrett is now at the helm for Toros de Aragua of the top league in Venezuela. Though the season is still in its early stages, Barrett stands second on the team with 14.6 ppg and ranks third league-wide with an average of 4.8 assists per contest.
Fuquan Edwin, F -- 2010-14Current Team: Ironi-Nes Ziona (Israel)
Years Pro: 2
A brief stop in Venezuela followed an outstanding stint in the NBA D-League with the Miami HEAT affiliate Sioux Falls Skyforce for Edwin who has now made his way to play in Israel in one of the most respected professional leagues in the world. Since signing on with Ironi-Nes Ziona, the former BIG EAST Defensive Player of the Year has played in all 15 league games, shooting 67.6 percent from the floor (50-74) and ranking second on the team with 15.4 ppg. The Pirates' all-time leader in steals, Edwin is still up to his old tricks, leading the team and ranking fourth in the Winner League with 2.3 spg.
Aaron Geramipoor, C -- 2010-14Last Team: Soles (Mexico)
Years Pro: 2
Geramipoor began his professional career by splitting time between the Spanish third and second division last year and at just 23 years old, he is currently continuing his development as a member of Soles of the Mexican LNBP. Geramipoor has appeared in 17 games for the LNBP leaders, helping Soles race out to a 26-2 record by averaging 9.5 ppg and 5.6 rpg in just over 17 minutes of action. Geramipoor has hit 63-of-93 field goals on the year and was an integral part of a 24-game winning streak that has Soles atop the league standings with 12 games to play.
Jeremy Hazell, G -- 2007-11Current Team: Chalon (France)
Years Pro: 5
Jeremy Hazell is a scorer and that is something French basketball fans have been introduced to this season as the former Pirates star signed on with Chalon of the ProA league. Hazell came to Chalon after starring for Granarolo Bologna in Italy last season and his team-best average of 16.3 ppg ranks fifth in the league which recently earned him a trip to the All-Star game. Chalon sits at 10-6 in fifth place out of 18 ProA teams and the squads also holds the top spot in Group R of the FIBA Europe Cup standings with three wins in its first three games in the competition.
Haralds Karlis, G/F -- 2011-15Current Team: Valmeira (Latvia)
Years Pro: 1
One of two Pirates who suited up for The Hall last season who has since turned pro, Karlis returned to his native Latvia where he has earned a vital role in the rotation for third-place Valmeira. Karlis is averaging 9.7 ppg and 2.6 apg, good enough for third on the team, in 15 league appearances and also ranks fourth on the squad with 9.9 ppg in Baltic League competition, starring against the top teams in the region and helping Valmeira to seven wins in nine games.
RIMAS KAUKENAS, G -- 1996-2000Current Team: Pallacanestro Reggiana (Italy)
Years Pro: 16
Some 16 years after helping lead The Hall to the "Sweet 16" as a senior, Rimas Kaukenas remains one of Europe's best and most recognizable players. This season with Pallacanestro Reggiana, Kaukenas has led his team to first place in the Serie A standings with an 11-4 record. The native Lithuanian and two-time Olympian ranks second on the team with 11.7 ppg and third with 2.4 apg in league play while also scoring 11.2 ppg in six appearances in the Eurocup - the most prestigious club competition in European basketball.
14 Seton Hall men's basketball alums are active professionally across the top international leagues
Jan. 13, 2016
Whether it is at the high school, collegiate or professional level, the heart of basketball season has arrived and the Pirates that currently reside in South Orange are far from the only ones heating up the hardwood this winter.
With the new year underway, 14 Seton Hall men's basketball alums who were active at the professional level this season -- a group that spans 12 different countries and three different continents. Of the former Pirates currently plying their trade across the globe, 11 played at least one season under head coach Kevin Willard.
From Rimas Kaukenas who continues to thrive despite over a decade as one of the premier players on the international scene to all-time Class of 2015 member Brandon Mobley who recently starred in his professional debut, these Pirates continue to play at a level that honors the program's rich tradition while strengthening its presence around the world.
Patrik Auda, F -- 2010-14Current Team: AZS Koszalin (Poland)
Years Pro: 2
Moving over to AZS Koszalin in Poland for his second professional season after starring for league rival Polfarmex Kutno last year, Auda has cemented himself among his new squad's starting five. Through 16 appearances, the Czech-born former Pirate leads the team with 6.9 rebounds per game and has knocked down the most field goals on the squad (63-123, .512) to rank second with 13.1 ppg. Only two other AZS Koszalin players are averaging in double-figures, both of whom are American imports.
ANDRE BARRETT, G -- 2000-04Current Team: Toros (Venezuela)
Years Pro: 12
Seton Hall Athletics Hall of Famer Andre Barrett is still displaying the same form that catipulted him into a place among the program's elite players. After stewarding the Westchester Knicks through their inaugural NBA D-League season last year, Barrett is now at the helm for Toros de Aragua of the top league in Venezuela. Though the season is still in its early stages, Barrett stands second on the team with 14.6 ppg and ranks third league-wide with an average of 4.8 assists per contest.
Fuquan Edwin, F -- 2010-14Current Team: Ironi-Nes Ziona (Israel)
Years Pro: 2
A brief stop in Venezuela followed an outstanding stint in the NBA D-League with the Miami HEAT affiliate Sioux Falls Skyforce for Edwin who has now made his way to play in Israel in one of the most respected professional leagues in the world. Since signing on with Ironi-Nes Ziona, the former BIG EAST Defensive Player of the Year has played in all 15 league games, shooting 67.6 percent from the floor (50-74) and ranking second on the team with 15.4 ppg. The Pirates' all-time leader in steals, Edwin is still up to his old tricks, leading the team and ranking fourth in the Winner League with 2.3 spg.
Aaron Geramipoor, C -- 2010-14Last Team: Soles (Mexico)
Years Pro: 2
Geramipoor began his professional career by splitting time between the Spanish third and second division last year and at just 23 years old, he is currently continuing his development as a member of Soles of the Mexican LNBP. Geramipoor has appeared in 17 games for the LNBP leaders, helping Soles race out to a 26-2 record by averaging 9.5 ppg and 5.6 rpg in just over 17 minutes of action. Geramipoor has hit 63-of-93 field goals on the year and was an integral part of a 24-game winning streak that has Soles atop the league standings with 12 games to play.
Jeremy Hazell, G -- 2007-11Current Team: Chalon (France)
Years Pro: 5
Jeremy Hazell is a scorer and that is something French basketball fans have been introduced to this season as the former Pirates star signed on with Chalon of the ProA league. Hazell came to Chalon after starring for Granarolo Bologna in Italy last season and his team-best average of 16.3 ppg ranks fifth in the league which recently earned him a trip to the All-Star game. Chalon sits at 10-6 in fifth place out of 18 ProA teams and the squads also holds the top spot in Group R of the FIBA Europe Cup standings with three wins in its first three games in the competition.
Haralds Karlis, G/F -- 2011-15Current Team: Valmeira (Latvia)
Years Pro: 1
One of two Pirates who suited up for The Hall last season who has since turned pro, Karlis returned to his native Latvia where he has earned a vital role in the rotation for third-place Valmeira. Karlis is averaging 9.7 ppg and 2.6 apg, good enough for third on the team, in 15 league appearances and also ranks fourth on the squad with 9.9 ppg in Baltic League competition, starring against the top teams in the region and helping Valmeira to seven wins in nine games.
RIMAS KAUKENAS, G -- 1996-2000Current Team: Pallacanestro Reggiana (Italy)
Years Pro: 16
Some 16 years after helping lead The Hall to the "Sweet 16" as a senior, Rimas Kaukenas remains one of Europe's best and most recognizable players. This season with Pallacanestro Reggiana, Kaukenas has led his team to first place in the Serie A standings with an 11-4 record. The native Lithuanian and two-time Olympian ranks second on the team with 11.7 ppg and third with 2.4 apg in league play while also scoring 11.2 ppg in six appearances in the Eurocup - the most prestigious club competition in European basketball.
