Iowa State's basketball legacy is reaching far beyond Ames these days, as a wave of former Cyclones are making serious noise on the international stage. From Spain to China, and everywhere in between, these alumni are proving that Cyclone hoops talent travels well.
Leading the charge is Will Clyburn, who put on a show for FC Barcelona in Spain's top league. In a hard-fought 80-72 victory over KK Crvena zvezda on April 21, Clyburn stuffed the stat sheet with 22 points, seven rebounds, three assists, and two steals in 31 minutes. For the season, he's averaging a solid 13.8 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 1.6 assists per game—a testament to his all-around game.
Over in China, Lindell Wigginton is lighting up scoreboards for the Guangzhou Loong Lions. On April 20, he erupted for 36 points, seven rebounds, and three assists in a win against the Fujian Sturgeons. Wigginton's season averages of 23.2 points (good for third in the league), 4.5 rebounds, and 6.5 assists show he's not just a scorer—he's a playmaker.
Across the Atlantic in Turkey, Talen Horton-Tucker is making his presence felt for Fenerbahçe Beko Istanbul. In a tight 82-78 win over Manisa on Sunday, he contributed 10 points, five rebounds, and two blocks in just 20 minutes. His season averages of 13.1 points and 3.4 assists highlight his versatility.
Two other Cyclones are thriving in Istanbul's basketball hotbed. Matt Thomas is doing what he does best for Besiktas Fibabanka Istanbul: draining threes. He's connecting on an impressive 47.7% of his attempts from beyond the arc while averaging 8.8 points and 2.7 rebounds. Meanwhile, Nick Weiler-Babb is holding it down for Anadolu Efes Istanbul, posting 6.86 points and 3.41 rebounds per game.
In Greece, Monte Morris is helping keep Olympiacos undefeated with steady play. He chipped in six points and two assists in 22 minutes recently, and his season averages of 5.9 points and 3.4 assists reflect his reliable floor generalship. Fellow Cyclone Georgios Tsalmpouris is also making waves in Greece, leading Panionios with 17 points and eight rebounds in 32 minutes during a recent outing. He's averaging 9.6 points and 3.7 rebounds on the season.
Romania is home to Solomon Young, who topped the scoring charts for Voluntari with 19 points and five rebounds in a recent match. His season averages of 18.2 points and 8.3 rebounds per game show he's a force in the paint.
In Iceland, DeAndre Kane earned MVP honors for Grindavik after a monster performance of 30 points and eight rebounds in 38 minutes. That effort boosted his season averages to 17.3 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 4.2 assists—proof that experience and skill translate anywhere.
Finally, Melvin Ejim is holding his own in Spain for Hiopos Forca Lleida, recently posting 13 points and eight rebounds. He's averaging 12.7 points per game, continuing a strong international career.
Whether they're draining threes in Turkey, dominating the boards in Romania, or dropping 30-point games in Iceland, these Cyclones are proving that Iowa State's basketball program produces players who can compete—and win—anywhere in the world. For fans of Cyclone hoops, it's a great time to follow the action overseas.