Hi DUBulldog,



I was wondering if we could have a sticky thread with information about former Drake players? It would be nice to go to one spot to see how they are doing, if they are playing overseas or something like that.



To start it off, Chris Bryant is playing for the first Alaska semi-pro team, the Alaska Quake. He had his first game last Sunday and scored 37 points. Here's a link to a youtube video about his first game: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cBb4bkxzZP0

The future's looking up!

I'm not sure about a "sticky", but if there's enough demand I can do it. We can certainly keep adding to this thread.



Here's what I know:



David Smith coming off the bench at Upper Iowa.



I don't think Judd Welfringer has played yet for Point Loma.



Sean Jones is not using his final year of eligibility at Grandview...I've heard that he's graduated and has a job in Des Moines.



According to Eurobasket.com



Ajay Calvin, Josh Young, Frank Wiseler and Josh Parker are playing in Germany. Parker is putting up huge numbers.



Kraidon Woods is in Finland.



Al Stewart playing in Canada.



Dontay Harris still playing in the latest incarnation of the ABA.

Brent Heemskerk is got married today in Cedar Falls, IA. I am not shat'n when I tell you ... his bride is one of the most beautiful women in the world. I'm her biological father too.

I believe both Reece Uhlenhopp and Aaron Hawley are completing their education at Drake. Not 100% on Hawley







Judging by their attendance at games. Alou Keita and Alex White must have jobs in the Des Moines area and hanging around.







Last time I checked Adam Templeton got married and is working for a business and coaching AAU basketball in his home town.







Klayton Korver is obviously with his brothers foundation. Not sure what else he's doing.







Isn't Leonard Houston the manager at a local Hy-Vee?

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I really appreciate hearing about the former Dogs. To me it seems like a thing that could be periodically updated, and if it was stickied, people who haven't been here in a long time could go read the thread and see how/what everybody is doing.

The future's looking up!

Wiseler doesn't appear on the team's website or on its stat page. Guessing he was maybe there for camp?



Woods is averaging 14/9 in Finland.



Josh is averaging 10 PPG/3.5 RPG/2.4 APG. Shooting over 50%. Pretty similar stats to last year, he also averaged 26+ in his first year when he was in the 3rd division (same club and league Parker is currently at, actually).



Stewart averaged 12.7 PPG/5.3 RPG/6.2 APG last year on 49% shooting. He's at 11/3.7/5.2/46% this year. the NBL of Canada is basically an offshoot of the ABA.

Nice article on Al Stewart. - linkage

Very nice article indeed, I've been wondering what he's up to. Sounds like quite a few of our bulldogs are making a living playing some hoops still.

The future's looking up!

I love this thread. Anyone know what Bucky is doing?

I don't think he's playing basketball. I think he's living in Chicago or somewhere back in Illinois.

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Since it says "Former Drake Players", and not just basketball players, I can inform you that a few weeks ago I saw Drakes's best tennis player ever and all-time winningest tennis player, Maor Zirkin, giving tennis lessons in Lincolnshire, IL He is REALLY good!!

Has anyone seen Hawley and/or Uhlenhopp at the games? It would be interesting to know what they are thinking, woudn't it?

I've seen Reece a few times. I doubt we'll ever see Mr. Hawley again.

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Honestly this is one of the things that often gets forgotten about Drake basketball. A large portion of our players go on to become incredibly successful and productive members of society. Unfortunately a lot of NCAA programs have forgotten the manta of student athletes, with student coming first. Building successful graduates should always be a focus of any program, and Drake embodies that idea to a 'T'. The best part is that we have proven over the years that being a student first does not preclude being a fine basketball player (Young, Alou, Bucky, etc...). These stories are all reasons we should be proud to be Bulldog fans.

Rebuilding the tradition one rebound at a time!

I wonder what stolen socks is up to....

Actually I think it would be alot more interesting to know what most of the current players are really thinking!

I've seen Free Socks in street clothes on the Illini bench.

A while back I found a book online written by Melvin Mathis called "Rebound To Win".

Followed his careers, memories and insight into expectations.

Hawley is finishing up his degree at Drake. Beleive it or not some schools are recruiting him to play 1 more year after he graduates. He woulod have 1 yr left. They are good schools recruiting him.

It would be interesting to see what Hawley could do with some coaching. He was the laziest defensive player I've ever seen. I assume if he'd had a coach that noticed such things that could have been changed.

Drakey