After GIA: A Look At Former Cowboys In Professional Basketball

STILLWATER – Several Oklahoma State basketball players have continued their success from inside Gallagher-Iba Arena to courts across the world. Whether they're in the NBA, or overseas in Italy, numerous former Cowboys are enjoying success in professional basketball.

Here's what a few have done recently in the NBA and D-League regular seasons and various overseas leagues. Check back with okstate.com throughout the spring for more weekly updates on your favorite former Oklahoma State Cowboys.

Cade Cunningham – The former first overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft, and recent addition to the NBA Rising Stars Challenge, Cade Cunningham started right where he left off in Stillwater and has been showing out with the Detroit Pistons. After waiting a little longer than expected to start his rookie campaign following a sprained ankle in the preseason, Cunningham has lived up to the hype on the big stage. Thus far he's averaged 16 points, along with 5.5 rebounds and 5.1 assist per game. With those numbers, it was a no-brainer that he got selected to the NBA Rising Stars Challenge. In the Rising Stars game, Cunningham was named the MVP of the challenge after leading his team to victory over All-Star Weekend.

Marcus Smart – Known as a player who can do-it-all, the former sixth pick in the 2014 NBA Draft has stayed consistent in his eighth season in the league. So far, he's posted 11.7 points-per-game, 3.9 rebounds-per-contest and 5.4 assist-per-game and is a key reason in why the Boston Celtics are in the sixth spot in the Eastern Conference with a 36-27 record. In addition to his offensive output, the two-time All-Defensive Team selection has played a major role in the stifling defense the Celtics have been playing lately, which has contributed to a 17-6 record in their last 23 games.

Lindy Waters III – After putting in great performances with the Oklahoma City Blue, where he was averaging 11.3 points and 4.2 rebounds per game for OKC's G-League affiliate, Waters earned his NBA chance and was signed to the Oklahoma City Thunder on a two-way contract on Feb. 10. Since making his jump to the big leagues, Waters has been a key role player coming off the bench for the Thunder, averaging 5.9 points per game in 17 minutes of game time. Waters posted a career-high 16 points on March 8 against the Milwaukee Bucks with the help of drilling four three-pointers.

Cameron McGriff – The former Oklahoma State standout has impressed in the NBA G-League this year. In 21 games for the Greensboro Swarm, McGriff has averaged 12.7 points, 5.5 rebounds and 1.6 assists per game while averaging 24 minutes of play per game. After posting those impressive numbers for the Swarm, McGriff earned a 10-day contract with the Portland Trail Blazers earlier this season. In the three NBA games he played, McGriff averaged 4.7 points and 5 rebounds in 15.3 minutes of action. After entering the NBA's Health and Safety Protocols, McGriff has returned to the Swarm in hopes of continuing his standout performances until his next call-up to the NBA.

Kendall Smith – Kendall Smith has been putting in the work for the Santa Cruz Warriors, the NBA G-League affiliate for the Golden State Warriors. Averaging 26 minutes per game, Smith is scoring 9.5 points per game while also grabbing 4.5 rebounds per game. Smith also plays a big role in why the Warriors are second in the G-League in assists per game as he averages 7.1 assists per game.

Yankuba Sima – The former Oklahoma State big man has made a name for himself in the Spanish pro-league, playing for Baxi Manresa. In 23 games played, Sima has helped lead Manresa to a 15-8 record while logging 7.6 points per game and four rebounds per game.

Markel Brown – The man who has traveled the world playing basketball, Brown is now playing his game for the Antwerp Giants in the Belgian League. Early in the season, Brown has impressed, having scored 12.4 points per game while picking up 3.1 rebounds per game. His contributions to the Giants have led them to an 8-5 record in the young season.

Michael Cobbins – The OSU alumnus has traveled all over to showcase his basketball skills, with his most recent stop in the Italian Pro League playing for Germani Bruscia. Cobbins has been putting in solid numbers for the Italian team, averaging 9.6 points and 5.1 rebounds per game. His contributions have helped lead the team to a 14-7 record on the year.

Tavarius Shine – Tavarius Shine has been shining in the European professional leagues since he graduated from OSU in 2018. After going to the Swedish Pro League right out of college, he returned to the same team that gave him a chance following graduation, Lulea. Shine has put the league on notice, dropping an average of 15.9 points per game while snagging 4.3 rebounds per game. With Shine's stellar performances scoring, he's helped his team achieve an impressive 18-10 record.

Leyton Hammonds – After showing out in Stillwater from 2013-2017, Hammonds has traveled overseas to continue his professional career, most recently in Japan. After competing in the Russian Pro League last year, he took his talents to Japan to compete for the Yokohama-B-Corsairs. In 36 games, Hammonds averaged 13.1 points per game to go along with 5.1 boards per game as well.

Le'Bryan Nash – Le'Bryan Nash has been one simple thing since graduating from OSU: cash. Nash has been on fire in the Japanese Pro League second division this past year, playing with the Sendai 89ers. Helping lead his team to an 18-13 record, Nash chipped in with a staggering 19.2 points per game while getting 6.3 rebounds per game as well.

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After GIA: A Look At Former Cowboys In Professional Basketball

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