The University of Akron Athletics
Men's Basketball: Zips in the Pros
August 11 | Men's Basketball
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Men's Basketball: Zips in the Pros 2015-16 Season
Akron, Ohio – For more than a decade, Zips' head coach Keith Dambrot has elevated, and continues to elevate, the Akron men's basketball program to new heights. He has created a program with a winning atmosphere that attracts outstanding young student-athletes which offers the opportunity to grow as individuals and players.
Several of these players developed into professional basketball players, while others have become successful in alternative careers. Currently, 11 former Zips, who played under Dambrot, are playing pro ball around the globe in Europe, Asia, South America, and North America. In addition to the current pros, there is a former UA standout who recently signed a contract for the upcoming 2016-17 season and six individuals whom have retired.
Romeo Travis (Akron 2004-07) – Strasbourg IG and Le Mans Sarthe Basket – France-ProA and Euroleague
Travis started his ninth year of professional basketball with Strasbourg IG of the France ProA and Euroleague. He played 12 games with Strasbourg, six France ProA (3-3) and six Euroleague (3-3), before signing with Le Mans Sarthe Basket (25-15), also in the France ProA league. In six France ProA games with Strasbourg, he averaged 21.3 minutes played with 7.3 points per game with 5.2 rebounds and 2.5 assists. In the six Euroleague games, he logged 17.8 minutes per game with 5.8 points, 3.8 rebounds and 1.3 assists per game. With Le Mans Sarthe Basket, Travis played 25 France ProA league games, averaging 29.7 minutes per contest with 12.1 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 1.9 assists per game.
Dru Joyce (Akron 2004-07) – S.Oliver Baskets Wuerzburg – Germany-ProA
In 2015-16, Joyce finished his ninth season in the British Basketball League (BBL), playing for S.Oliver Baskets Wuerzburg (17-20) in Germany. Midway through the season, Joyce recorded his 1,319th career assist which made him the BBL's all-time assists leader. In 37 games this season, Joyce averaged 30.9 minutes per game, scoring 10.8 points a night on 46.1 percent shooting from the floor. He added a 32.0 percent effort from long distance, burying a team-best 56 made 3-point field goals. Joyce also led the team in assists, finishing with 6.8 helpers per contest while averaging 2.8 rebounds per game.
Jeremiah Wood (Akron 2004-08) – San Martin Corrientes – Argentina-LigaA
In his second season with San Martin Corrientes in the Argetina-LigaA, Wood emerged as the team leader in points and rebounds. The squad posted a 30-31 overall record, finishing the regular season fifth overall at 28-28 while falling in the opening round of the playoffs 3-2. In 60 games, Wood averaged 17.6 points per game, scoring 1,058 total points on 65.2 percent shooting from the floor. Wood grabbed 8.7 rebounds per contest, controlling the defensive boards with 6.3 a game while adding 2.4 offensive rebounds, 2.6 assists and 1.6 steals a game. In eight Liga Sudamericana league (6-2) games, Wood averaged 18.5 points on 69.3 percent shooting from the floor with 8.4 rebounds.
Nate Linhart (Akron 2006-09) – Cai Zargoza – Spain Liga Endesa
Linhart finished the 2015-16 season with Cai Zargoza of the Spain Liga Endesa (13-21) and Eurocup (12-6) leagues. In 32 games played in Spanish league competition, he averaged 15.7 minutes played with 4.1 points per game on 42.3 percent shooting from the field. He added 2.6 rebounds and 1.1 assists per game. In the 18 Eurocup games, Linhart played 17 minutes a game with 5.5 points, 3.1 rebounds and 1.1 assists. He shot 41.2 percent from the field, including a 35.5 percent showing from beyond the 3-point arc. At the conclusion of the 2016 season, Linhart signed to play with Medi Bayruth of the Germany-BBL league in Bayreuth, Germany.
Chris McKnight (Akron 2007-10) – Etoile Charleville-Mezieres – France-ProB
McKnight is the starting center for Etoile Charleville-Merzieres basketball team in the France ProB league, where they posted a 14-20 overall record. In 34 games, he averaged 15.9 points and 7.2 rebounds per game. He connected with 53.6 percent of his shots from the floor and added a 77.5 percent effort from the charity stripe, 100-of-129. In addition, McKnight knocked down 42 long-distance shots, connecting at a 32.8 percent clip from deep.
Brett McKnight (Akron 2008-11) – Columbus Condors – Central Basketball Association
McKnight played for the Columbus Condors in 2016, leading the squad to a 6-4 overall record. He averaged a team-high 25.4 points per game on 54.3 percent shooting (95-of-175) from the floor, including a team-best 45.6 percent shooting (26-of-57) from beyond the 3-point arc. He pulled down 6.6 rebounds per game, totaling 66 boards with 46 defensive and 20 offensive grabs. McKnight added 2.6 assists and 1.1 steals per game.
Nikola Cvetinovic (Akron 2009-12) – BK Inter Incheba Bratislava – Slovakia-SBL
Cvetinovic played 12 games for the BK Inter Incheba Bratislava organization in the Slovakia-SBL league, finishing 30-11 overall. In 17 minutes per game, Cvetinovic averaged 10.5 points on 63.2 percent shooting from the floor with a 72.7 percent effort at the free throw line. He pulled down 4.9 rebounds per game with 3.3 coming from the defensive end and 1.7 boards off the offensive glass.
Zeke Marshall (Akron 2010-13)– Al Fateh Al Hasa – Saudi Arabia-SBL
Marshall played in the NBA D-League in 2013-14 and spent the last two seasons overseas, most recently with Al Fateh Al Hasa of the Saudi Arabian league. Marshall was acquired by Al Feteh from Sagesse in the Lebanese Division A. He helped the team to a 14-4 regular season record before falling 2-1 in the semifinals. In his first game, Marshall recorded a double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds to go along with two blocks and a steal.
Alex Abreu (Akron 2011-13) – Leones de Santo Domingo – Dominican Republic-LNB
Abreu spent two seasons with Leones de Santo Domingo basketball team of the Dominican Republic-LNB. In 2015-16 the team finished second overall in the league standings with a 9-4 record. He led the 2016 squad in assist, averaging 4.3 per game. In 12 games, Abreu logged 23.7 minutes, scoring 7.9 points per game on 52.5 percent shooting from the floor. He added an 80.0 percent showing from the free throw line, leading the team in free throw percentage with a minimum of 25 attempts. In 2016, Abreu was selected to the Puerto Rican National Team, playing three games during the CentroBasket segment. He averaged 12 minutes a game, shooting 50.0 percent from the field that included a 33.3 percent showing at the 3-point arc. He averaged 5.7 assists to go along with 4.0 points per game. Against Antigua, he registered a game-high 14 assists with eight points and five rebounds.
Quincy Diggs (2011-12, 14) – Redwell Gunners Oberwart – Austria-ABL
In his first professional season, Diggs led the Redwell Gunners Oberwart to the CUP title and the championship. He was voted 2016 ABL MVP by the coaches and journalists, posting averages of 19.7 ppg, 7.3 rpg and 3.3 apg. He appeared in all 44 games for the Gunners shooting over 50% FG and 36% from beyond the arc. He finished the season second in scoring behind ABl scoring champion Fabricio Vay, 7th in rebounds, and second in efficiency (again behind Vay). He led his team to the Cup title and the championship. Diggs won the award in his rookie season as a pro.
Demetrius Treadwell (Akron 2012-14) – Hapoel Galil Gilboa – Israel-National League
Treadwell helped lead the Hapoel Galil Gilboa to the Israel-National League Championship. The squad posted a league-best regular-season record of 21-5 before securing the title with a 7-2 playoff mark. In 35 games, Treadwell logged 30.1 minutes a game, leading the team with 10.3 rebounds and averaging a second-best 18.9 points per game. His team-high 273 made field goals were supported by a 59.6 FG shooting percentage. Treadwell pulled down 7.3 defensive boards, 3.4 defensive rebounds, 1.7 assists, and 1.3 steals.
Deji Ibitayo (Akron 2012-15) – KK Spartak Subotica – Serbia-KLS
On June 8, 2016, Ibitayo inked his first professional basketball deal. The 23-year old will begin pro career in the 2016-17 with the KK Spartak Subotica of the Serbian-KLS league. In his career at Akron, Ibitayo helped lead the Zips to two Mid-American Conference regular-season championships and a MAC Tournament chamionship along with three postseason appearances – NCAA, NIT, and CIT. He played 102 career games with 26 starting appearances. In 1509 total minutes played he scored 598 points, averaging 5.9 per game. Ibitayo grabbed 232 rebounds, dished out 68 assists, and blocked 29 shots.
Retired Players (year retired)
Matt Futch (2008)
Cedrick Middleton (2010)
Rob Preston (2010)
Steve McNees (2011)
Quade Milum (2011)
Chauncey Gilliam (2015)
