The pro basketball Boilers are having a lot of success over in Europe.
It has been over a month since we last caught up with the former Purdue basketball players that are getting paid phat stacks of cash to play basketball. Most of those guys are still kicking around in Europe, but we have three guys in the NBA and one in the D-League. Here is the most recent update on them:
Carl Landry - Sacramento Kings - Landry has returned from his injury to play in 14 games so far. His minutes are still way down, however. He is only getting about 12 minutes per game and he is averaging only 3.6 points per game. He is still not 100% after missing the start of the year due to hip surgery, but $6.5 million in salary this season probably helps ease the pain.
Robbie Hummel - Minnesota Timberwolves - Rob and the T-Wolves are fading in the West's playoff race, now six games out where they would be solidly in if they were in the East. He has managed to draw a pair of starts this season, but continues to be well down in the rotation and doesn't even play some nights. He has played in 30 of 53 games and is averaging 2.8 points and 2.6 rebounds per game. At least he is doing better than Shabbazz Muhammad, who was their No. 1 pick this last year and has proven to be incredibly overrated.
E`Twaun Moore - Orlando Magic - Orlando is bad at 16-40, but Smooge is at least getting about 18 minutes per night. Few nights ago he had 17 in a loss to Milwaukee, but Milwaukee has the worst record in the NBA. He is averaging six points per game and is shooting about 35% from three. The 17 points tied a career high and he looks to be in line to make a roster somewhere next year.
D.J. Byrd - Kirchheim (Germany) - D.J. has upped his scoring to 12.6 points per game in the second division over in Germany. He is shooting an impressive 40% from three and is hitting at an 88% clip from the free throw line. He is now starting for his team, which is 12-11 on the season.
Chris Kramer - EWE Baskets Oldenburg (Germany) - Oldenburg is 15-6 and is in fourth place in the Basketball Bundesliga, putting them solidly in playoff position as they try to qualify for next season's EuroBasket. Kramer is also a starter for his team and is averaging 9.6 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 3 assists per game.
Chris Booker - Krka (Slovenia) - Booker is still playing for Krka Novo Mesto in the Slovenian League and is even a starter. They are playing in the Eurochallenge, which is two levels below the EuroBasket, but is still a continental competition. They advanced to the last 16 and can reach the quarterfinals with a good result in their final game. As for Booker, he is averaging 7.6 points in the Adriatic League and 8.2 in the 10 EuroChallenge games his team has played.
Nemanja Calasan - Vichy (France) - Chally has played in 11 games for Vichy over in France, averaging 8.5 points per game. His team is 14-8 in the third level of French professional basketball.
Willie Deane - Krasny Oktyabr (Russia) - Deane is having a very successful season for his Russian team at 18.2 points and 7.4 assists. His team is based in Volgograd, a.k.a. Stalingrad from the turning point battle of World War II.
Keaton Grant - Ludwigsburg (Germany) - KG is a starter for his German team and is averaging 15.9 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 1.6 assists. Ludwigsburg is 11-9 and holding on to the final playoff spot in the Basketball Bundesliga. He has a second game against Kramer coming up on May 1, the final game of the regular season.
Lewis Jackson - Erie BayHawks (NBA D-League) - LewJack is still in the D-League, and judging by the fact that the Knicks absolutely suck and are in desperate need of a point guard, his 10.3 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 7.1 assists should get him a look. He is currently fourth in the D-League in assists. Unfortunately, the Knicks' management is completely and utterly incompetent.
JaJuan Johnson - Giorgo Tesi PT (Italy) - JJ is having a decent season over in Italy, averaging 14.3 points and 6.7 rebounds as he tries to get back to the NBA. He is listed as the starting center for his team, who is 8-11.
Scott Martin - Newcastle Eagles (England) - Martin has played in 19 games this year, which is impressive considering his lengthy injury history. He is averaging 30 minutes per game and 16.3 points for Newcastle, who is 17-4 and is in second place in the British Basketball League.
Brandon McKnight - LrMNKY (Finland) - McKnight has seen action in 25 games in the Finnish League and he is averaging 16.5 points and 3.5 assists as he runs the point. His team is not very good at 8-22.
David Teague - Bohemios (Uruguay) - Teague has not played since the last update, so I don't know of he has been cut or what.
Chris Lutz - Petron Blaze (Philippines) - The new Philippine season just started here in February and Lutz is averaging 8.7 points per game in a 1-2 start.
Gary Ware - St. Polten (Austria) - Ware played a game for a French team, but has played mostly in Austria for St. Polten, who is a dismal 1-20 and will likely get relegated to the second division at the end of the year. He does start and is averaging 14.9 points.