The men’s college basketball season came to an end on Monday, but professional basketball is still being played all around the globe. Several former Oregon basketball standouts are still playing pro ball — with varying degrees of success. Here’s a quick glance at a few of those familiar faces.
Aaron Brooks — Phoenix Suns (NBA)
One of two former Ducks in the NBA, Brooks was recently traded from the Houston Rockets to the Phoenix Suns, where he’s the primary backup to star point guard Steve Nash. This season, Brooks is averaging 11 points and 3.8 assists per game.
Luke Ridnour — Minnesota Timberwolves (NBA)
A seven-year NBA veteran, Ridnour is having the one of the best seasons of his NBA career with a struggling Minnesota team. Ridnour is averaging career-high marks in scoring (11.9 points per game) and three-point shooting percentage (45 percent). He also chips in 5.3 assists and 2.6 rebounds per contest.
Luke Jackson — Idaho Stampede (NBA Development League)
Although he’s failed to live up to the high expectations placed on him when he was a high first-round pick of the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2004, Jackson has been able to continue his professional career on American soil. The past several years, he’s bounced back and forth between the NBA and the Development League. This season, Jackson has been one of the more productive players for the Idaho Stampede of the D-League. Jackson averages 14.8 points and 5.1 rebounds per game.
Fred Jones — Guangdong Southern Tigers (Chinese Basketball Association)
A seven-year NBA veteran, Jones took his talents to Guangdong earlier this year to play for one of the best teams in the talent-filled Chinese Basketball Association. However, after a productive 14-game stint with the Tigers in which he averaged 12.5 points and 5.7 rebounds per game, Jones was cut by Guangdong. His current status is unknown.
Tajuan Porter — Entente Orleanaise (French A-League)
After an unremarkable 12-game stint with the Halifax Rainmen of the Premier Basketball League (Canada), Porter recently inked a contract with French club Entente Orleanaise. Over six games, Porter is averaging 9.5 points and is shooting 41.4 percent from the field.
Malik Hairston — Montepaschi Siena (Euroleague)
After spending parts of his first two professional seasons with the San Antonio Spurs (NBA) and Austin Toros (NBA Development League), Hairston signed with Italian club Montepaschi Siena before the start of the current Euroleague season. In 14 games with Montepaschi Siena, Hairson is averaging 8.6 points and 3.3 rebounds per game.
Michael Dunigan — BC Kalev/Cramo (Baltic Basketball League/VTB United League/ Korvpalli Meistriliiga)
Dunigan, who surprised many by leaving Oregon after his sophomore year to pursue a pro career, made two stops in 2010-11. After playing one game for Hapoel Migdal Jerusalem in Israel, Dunigan left for BC Kalev/Cramo. Dunigan has played well for the Estonian club, averaging 12.5 points and eight rebounds per game while shooting 58.6 percent from the field.
Maarty Leunen — Bennet Cantu (Lega Basket Serie A Italy)
A late second-round draft pick of the Houston Rockets in the 2008 NBA Draft, Leunen has spent the majority of his professional career overseas. Unable to find a place in the NBA, Leunen initially signed with a Turkish league club for his first season as a professional. Leunen has spent the past two seasons with Bennet Cantu of the Italian League, where he averages 11.2 points and 6.4 rebounds in 33.5 minutes per game.
Bryce Taylor — Alba Berlin (German League/Euroleague)
Since leaving Eugene after the 2007-08 year, Taylor has spent the majority of his three professional seasons overseas. He spent the first year of his career with Italian club Premiata Montegranaro before signing with German club Telekom Baskets Bonn last season. Currently, Taylor is averaging 6.1 points per game with Alba Berlin in a reserve role.
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