Marshall University Athletics
@HerdMBB in the Pros
12/25/2016 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. - Throughout the years, the Marshall men's basketball program has produced professional basketball players in leagues from the National Basketball Association (NBA), to leagues in Asia and Europe. This is an overview into how former Marshall players are performing in their respective leagues.
Hassan Whiteside (2009-10) has led the Miami Heat in rebounds in each of the 31 games this season, the longest overall streak in Heat franchise history. The former Herd big man blocked a shot in a career-long 48 consecutive games. Whiteside grabbed at least 10 rebounds and blocked at least one shot in each of the first 13 games of the season, tying the third-longest such streak to begin a season in NBA history. The Gastonia, N.C., native grabbed double-figure rebounds in each of the first 13 games to start this season, the longest double-figure rebound streak to begin a season in Heat history. Whiteside grabbed a career-tying 25 rebounds on Nov. 15 vs. ATL, also tying the second-most in team history with his 25 rebounds on March 4, 2015 vs. the Lakers. Whiteside recorded a double-double in the first five games to start this season, marking the longest double-double streak to start a season in team history.
Recently, Whiteside posted a 23-point, 17-rebound double-double against the Boston Celtics on Dec. 18. He is coming off four consecutive 15-rebound games, which ties the second-highest streak in Heat history.
Mike D'Antoni (1970-73) was named the Houston Rockets head coach on June 1. The Rockets are averaging 111.6 points this season. Dating back to 1995-96, nine teams have averaged at least 110.0 ppg; three of those teams were coached by Mike D'Antoni (Phoenix 2004-05, 2006-07, 2007-08). Houston hasn't averaged at least 110.0 ppg since 1985-86 (114.4). has over a quarter of a century of coaching experience, including 12 seasons as a head coach in the NBA with a career mark of 472-433 (.522). He was named NBA Coach of the Year in 2004-05 after leading Phoenix to a franchise-high tying 62 wins. Over a four-season span from 2004-05 through 2007-08, the Suns compiled a 232-96 mark (.707), including back-to-back trips to the Western Conference Finals in 2005 and 2006.
James Kelly (2015-16) joined the ET Land of the Korean Basketball League in July, 2016. Kelly leads Land in scoring and is No. 7 in the Korean League, averaging 23.0 points per game. He is also averaging 10.0 rebounds and 1.1 blocks per contest.
Kelly led the Herd last season with 20.1 points, 9.8 rebounds, 1.3 steals and 1.1 blocks per game en route to becoming Marshall's first All-Conference USA first team selection and Newcomer of the Year.
Dago Pena (2008-12) plays for Leyma Basquet Coruna in Spain and is currently averaging 14.2 points per game, 2.1 assists per game and 4.1 rebounds per contest.
Pena finished his Marshall career having scored 763, 277 rebounds, 141 assists and 199 games played.
Damier Pitts (2008-12) is averaging 10.6 points per game, 4.2 assists per game and 4.4 rebounds for BK Valmiera in Latvia.
Pitts finished his Herd career ranked among program leaders in several categories including 123 games played (No. 5), 201 three-pointers (No. 4), 1,551 points (No. 12), 517 assists (No. 5) and 384 free throws made (No. 6),
Shaq Johnson (2008-12) was the 2015-16 leading scorer for his team, Urunday Universitario, in Uruguay. He averaged 23.8 points per game.
Johnson's 134 games played are No. 1 in school history, while he is No. 12 in assists (300), No. 20 in three-pointers (104), No. 29 in points (1,240) No. 15 in steals (125) and No. 15 in free throws (322).
Markel Humphrey (2005-09) is averaging 14.12 points per game, 5.6 rebounds and 2.0 assists for his team, BBC Monthey, Switzerland.
Humphrey's ranks among the top in several categories in program history, including games played (No. 6), points (No. 18), field goals made (No. 17), three-point field goals (No. 15), rebounds (No. 14) and assists No. 25).
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