Although the Arkansas-based entrant was eliminated in the third round, The Basketball Tournament is on the verge of a final between two teams featuring former Razorbacks.
Coty Clarke and Jacorey Williams have played key roles on their teams’ run to the semifinals of the event, which are scheduled for Wednesday night at the Daskalakis Athletic Center in Philadelphia.
Much like the NCAA Tournament, The Basketball Tournament – which simply goes by TBT – is a 64-team single-elimination tournament. With a prize of $1 million, it consistently attracts high-level talent, including former NBA players and college standouts, and is televised by the ESPN family of networks.
Now in its 10th year of existence, quite a few former Arkansas basketball players have participated in the event, most notably Joe Johnson in 2020.
This year, Hunter Mickelson, Dustin Thomas, Adrio Bailey and Sonny Weems suited up for Team Arkansas. That short-handed squad, which had to contend with the fairly sudden loss of JD Notae, Jimmy Whitt and Courtney Fortson, lost to the Aftershocks and fellow former Razorback Trey Wade in the third round.
The field has been whittled down to four teams and the first semifinal matchup features Williams and Herd That (affiliated with Marshall) facing Heartfire at 6 p.m. CT. That game is followed by Clarke and Friday Beers (based in Dayton and including a 5-foot-11 center on the roster) will square off against Bleed Green at 8 p.m. CT. Both games will air on ESPN.
Williams spent three years with Arkansas basketball from 2012-15, a time in which he is most remembered for tossing teammate Rashad Madden’s shoe back onto the court during an NCAA Tournament game. He transferred to Middle Tennessee State, where he earned C-USA Player of the Year honors, and has averaged 9.8 points and 5.3 rebounds for Herd That.
As at Arkansas, though, he is once again making headlines for extracurricular activities. In Herd That’s second-round upset over Best Virginia, Williams prompted an ESPN app alert when he was ejected for shoving an opponent:
Clarke, who was a teammate of Williams for two seasons with the Razorbacks from 2012-14, has averaged 10.5 points and 5.0 rebounds for the Friday Beers.
If they win their games Wednesday, the two former Arkansas basketball players will advance to the championship game set for 6 p.m. CT Thursday on ESPN.
This summer tournament is just one way the non-NBA Razorbacks are staying in the game, though. Many of them are still playing in other leagues, either the G League or overseas.
Best of Arkansas Sports tracked down a list of those players, which can be found below, complete with their teams and stat lines for 2022-23.
Former Arkansas Basketball Players – Eric Musselman Era
JD Notae — Aris B.C. (Greek League)
2022-23 STATS: 21 G, 28.7 minutes, 15.7 points (42.2% FG, 28.1% 3PT, 78.5% FT), 3.4 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 1.8 steals
JD Notae signed with Aris. B.C of the Greek League in August 2022 and has continued to score in bunches, much like he did with the Razorbacks. During the 2022-23 season, he eclipsed 20 points on four separate occasions, highlighted by a 37-point performance against Peristeri on March 5. Shooting 28.1% from beyond the arc, though, it appears that spotty 3-point shooting is still an issue.
Stanley Umude — Motor City Cruise (Detroit Pistons G League)
2022-23 STATS: 40 G, 27.5 minutes, 15.7 points (42.2% FG, 37.2% 3PT, 79.5% FT), 5.1 rebounds, 1.3 assists
Stanley Umude has been a scoring threat in the G League, scoring at least 20 points in 14 of 40 games – including two efforts of 30-plus, one of which was part of a double-double (35 points, 11 rebounds). He played well enough to get called up by the Pistons on a 10-day contract in February, but he was ultimately sent back down to the Cruise.
Au’Diese Toney — Lakeland Magic (Orlando Magic G League)
2022-23 STATS: 43 G, 21 minutes, 7.3 points (54.5% FG, 31% 3PT, 80.6% FT), 3.9 rebounds
Au’Diese Toney, known as a “dirty work” player from his tenure with the Razorbacks, continues to hold a firm grasp on a valuable role. This past season, he snagged five-plus rebounds in 17 games, including a double-double performance with 24 points and 10 boards.
Chris Lykes — Horsens IC (Basketligaen, Denmark’s premier basketball league)
2022-23 STATS: 26 G, 29.7 minutes, 22 points (46.5% FG, 38.3% 3PT, 82.4% FT), 3.1 rebounds, 4.8 assists, 1.3 steals
Chris Lykes has become a prolific scorer for Horsens IC, netting 20-plus points in 17 games, including three performances of 30-plus points – one of which was a 30-point, 10-rebound double-double. Maturing into a three-tool player, Lykes had five games with double-digit points, five-plus assists and five-plus rebounds.
Trey Wade — Arka Gdynia (PLK, Polish basketball league)
2022-23 STATS: 29 G, 28.3 minutes, 9.5 points (49.3% FG, 37% 3PT, 37.3% FT), 9.2 rebounds, 1.2 assists
Prior to playing with the Aftershocks in The Basketball Tournament, Trey Wade collected eight double-doubles while playing professionally in Poland. In his best game of 2022-23, he scored 23 points and grabbed 17 rebounds.
Justin Smith — Delaware Blue Coats (Philadelphia 76ers G League)
2022-23 STATS: 44 G, 21.9 minutes, 9.6 points (55.8% FG, 27.3% 3PT, 47.3% FT), 4.8 rebounds, 1 assist, 1.1 steals
As he did at Arkansas, Justin Smith had a knack for stuffing the stat sheet this season. He had six games with double-digit points, three-plus assists and three-plus rebounds, with two double-doubles to boot.
Jalen Tate — KB Peja (Kosovo Basketball Superleague)
2022-23 STATS: 20 G, 33.7 minutes, 22.4 points (51.2% FG, 31.7% 3PT, 63.4% FT), 4.5 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 1.6 steals
A premier distributor for his squad in Kosovo, a small country that was formerly part of Serbia, Jalen Tate recorded 12 games of five-plus assists, including a contest when he recorded 6 assists with a season-high 35 points. He also exhibited his scoring prowess by topping 20 points on eight occasions.
Mason Jones — Mexico City Capitanes (NBA G League)
2022-23 STATS: 36 G, 35.1 minutes, 21.3 points (52.3% FG, 42.3% 3PT, 81.5% FT), 4.5 rebounds, 5.8 assists, 1.3 steals
Over the last four seasons, Mason Jones has appeared in 36 NBA games with the Rockets, 76ers and Lakers. However, he spent all of the 2022-23 season in the G League and enjoyed an immense amount of success. Highlighted by six 30-point efforts, Jones eclipsed 20 points in half of the Capitanes’s games and also had nine games with 10-plus points, five-plus rebounds and five-plus assists.
Adrio Bailey — Zlatorog Laško (Premier A Slovenian Basketball League)
2022-23 STATS: 12 G, 30.9 minutes, 14.6 points (43.1% FG, 23.9% 3PT, 79.3% FT), 7 rebounds, 1 assist, 1.3 steals, 1.8 blocks
Adrio Bailey made a positive impact despite playing just 12 games for his team in Slovenia. He notched three double-doubles, including a 24-point, 14-rebound performance in which he also had three steals.
Jeantal Cylla — Union Sante Fe (La Liga Argentina, 2nd division of Argentine basketball)
2022-23 STATS: 38 G, 26.3 minutes, 11.3 points (46.3% FG, 35% 3PT, 81.5% FT), 4.3 rebounds, 1 steal
A name some Arkansas basketball fans may have forgotten, Jeantal Cylla has become quite an offensive threat for his team in Argentina. He is shooting a robust 35% on 2.7 attempts from beyond the arc, which is a dramatic improvement from him going just 2 of 13 (15.4%) in his lone season with the Razorbacks. He’s also shooting 81.5% from the free throw line.
Former Arkansas Basketball Players – Mike Anderson Era
Gabe Osabuohien — Cleveland Charge (Cleveland Cavaliers G-League)
2022-23 STATS: 30 G, 16.7 minutes, 3.3 points (36.3% FG, 60.5% FT), 4.1 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 1.1 steals
After two seasons with the Razorbacks, Gabe Osabuohien transferred to West Virginia and eventually became a Big 12 co-Defensive Player of the Year selection. In his rookie year in the G League, he played just 16.7 minutes per game, but did notch nine starts.
Jaylen Barford — Lokomotiv Kuban (Russian Basketball League)
2022-23 STATS: 32 G, 27.3 minutes, 16.9 points (42.8% FG, 35.6% 3PT, 81.3% FT), 3.6 assists, 3.6 rebounds, 1.5 steals
A journeyman of sorts, Jaylen Barford has spent one season in the NBA’s G-League, three seasons in Italy and recently concluded his third season in Russia. He has continued his elite scoring ways this season by notching 12 games of 20-plus points, highlighted by a 29-point performance in which he shot 50% (5 of 10) from behind the arc.
Daryl Macon — UNICS Kazan (Russian Basketball League)
2022-23 STATS: 23 G, 28.6 minutes, 17.6 points (49% FG, 44.8% 3PT, 89.8% FT), 3.9 assists, 2.1 rebounds, 1.3 steals
Since turning professional, Daryl Macon hasn’t stuck around more than one season at any of his stops. He appeared in eight NBA games during the 2018-19 season with the Mavericks and three games with the Heat in 2019-20. Aside from those short stints, Macon has primarily played in the G-League, Turkey, Greece and now Russia. During the 2022-23 season, Macon recorded 20-plus points in 11 games, including a 31-point outburst in which he shot 75% from the field.
Dusty Hannahs — Santa Cruz Warriors (Golden State Warriors G League)
2022-23 STATS: 39 games, 29.5 minutes, 17.1 points (46% FG, 43.2% 3PT, 94% FT), 2.6 rebounds, 2.7 assists
Dusty Hannahs is a tenured veteran in the G League ranks. Since 2017, he has played five seasons for the Memphis Hustle and Santa Cruz Warriors, plus one season in Australia. Hannahs, revered for his long-distance shooting at Arkansas, has continued to display that skill in the pros. He’s knocked down at least five 3-pointers in seven games and scored 20-plus points in 13 games, including efforts of 30, 32 and 33 points.
Hannahs, a naturalized Israeli, has signed a two-year deal to play with Nes Ziona.
Jabril Durham — Szolnoki Olajbanyasz (Hungary Professional League)
2022-23 STATS: 25 games, 27.1 minutes, 10.5 points (38.9% FG, 26.9% 3PT, 72.2% FT), 3.2 rebounds, 6.6 assists, 1.8 steals
Now in his ninth season overseas, Jabril Durham is a do-it-all player in Hungary. He recorded seven games this season with 10-plus points, three-plus rebounds and three-plus assists and is also credited with six double-doubles.
Jacorey Williams — GeVi Napoli (Italian Professional League)
2022-23 STATS: 30 games, 29.2 minutes, 15.1 points (62.9% FG, 43% FT), 7.9 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 1.1 steals
Jacorey Williams has had stops in the G-League, Israel, Greece, Italy and France. Seemingly improving his game since his transfer from Fayetteville, Williams is credited with seven double-doubles this past season.
Nick Weiler-Babb — FC Bayern (German Professional League)
2022-23 STATS: 28 games, 22.1 minutes, 7.9 points (43.1% FG, 44.6% 3PT, 80% FT), 3.1 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 1.1 steals
Known as just Nick Babb at Arkansas, he ended his collegiate career at Iowa State and has since played for two different teams in Germany. He helped his team win the German Cup this year and took home MVP honors for the tournament.
Coty Clarke — Nagoya Diamond Dolphins (Japan Professional League)
2022-23 STATS: 53 games, 29.7 minutes, 19.2 points (50.3% FG, 41.6% 3PT, 78.6% FT), 6.9 rebounds, 4.5 assists, 1.2 steals
Coty Clarke has turned into a go-to player for the Diamond Dolphins, as he scored 25-plus points in 10 games this season, highlighted by his three games with 30-plus, not to mention six double-doubles.
Pre-Anderson Era Hogs Still Active
Rotnei Clarke — Gesteco Cividale (Italian minor professional league)
2022-23 STATS: 8 games, 23.3 minutes, 8.4 points (39.7% FG, 35% 3PT, 100% FT), 1.5 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 1 steal
Nearing the end of his professional career, Rotnei Clarke has spent the last three seasons in the second tier of Italian professional basketball. Just as he was with the Razorbacks, he’s been an excellent scorer and 3-point shooter, averaging 16.6 points over his career with stops in Australia, Belgium, Germany, Italy and Poland. Of his 14 seasons, he’s had 10 in which he shot at least 40% from beyond the arc.
Delvon Johnson — Usti nad Labem (Czech Republic professional league)
2022-23 STATS: 37 games, 26.8 minutes, 7.6 points (62.9% FG, 50.9% FT), 8.5 rebounds, 1.7 assists
In 11 seasons, Delvon Johnson has played in professional leagues in Sweden, Romania, Finland, Germany, Australia, Slovakia and the Czech Republic. He has notched six double-doubles this season, including an 11-point, 19-rebound effort. Interestingly, Johnson averaged more rebounds than points in 2022-23.
Courtney Fortson — PGE Spójnia Stargard (Poland professional league)
2022-23 STATS: 22 games, 31.8 minutes, 16.6 points (42.8% FG, 27% 3PT, 75.4% FT), 4.8 rebounds, 8.5 assists, 1.9 steals
Having just wrapped up his 14th professional season, Courtney Fortson has made stops in the NBA, G League, Romania, Russia, Turkey, China and Poland. His stints in the NBA included 10 games with the Clippers and Rockets during the 2011-12 season. Throughout his duration in China, which spanned the 2016-20 seasons, Fortson averaged 27.8 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 9.6 assists. In 22-23, Fortson was credited with 11 double-doubles, including a 36-point, 10-assist onslaught on Nov. 22. Fortson also added a 30-point performance, this time on Jan. 27.
Sonny Weems — Shanxi (Chinese professional league)
2022-23 STATS: 28 games, 13.5 minutes, 9.4 points (47.9% FG, 20% 3PT, 81.6% FT), 1.9 rebounds, 3 assists
Completing his 19th season, Sonny Weems has competed with teams in the NBA, Russia, Lithuania, Israel, China and Turkey. His duration in the NBA included 12 games with the Nuggets in 2008-09, 127 games with the Raptors from 2009-11 and 43 games in the 2015-16 season with the Suns and 76ers. Weems can be credited with the career numbers of a multi-tool player in which he is credited with six seasons averaging double-digit points, 3-plus rebounds and 3-plus assists. While being on the back end of his career, Weems averaged his lowest minutes per game in the 2022-23 season.
Jace Dunegan significantly contributed to the research for this feature.
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