Wake Forest Basketball Alumni Make Their Mark Across the NBA and International Leagues
Wake Forest men’s basketball continues to build its professional legacy, with former Demon Deacons represented across the NBA, NBA G League and professional leagues around the world as the 2026-27 basketball season gets underway.
From established NBA veterans to rising talent in the G League and international standouts, Wake Forest’s professional footprint extends well beyond the college game. The program also has alumni working behind the scenes in coaching, scouting, analytics and front-office positions.
John Collins, Jake LaRavia Represent Wake Forest in the NBA
Two former Demon Deacons are set to represent Wake Forest on NBA rosters this season: John Collins with the Detroit Pistons and Jake LaRavia with the Los Angeles Lakers.
John Collins — Detroit Pistons
Collins enters his 10th NBA season and his first with Detroit after signing a three-year contract with the Pistons in July 2026. The Atlanta Hawks selected him 19th overall in the first round of the 2017 NBA Draft.
The forward spent six seasons in Atlanta before playing two seasons with the Utah Jazz and one with the Los Angeles Clippers. He has averaged double-digit points and more than five rebounds per game in each of his first nine NBA seasons.
During the 2025-26 campaign, Collins averaged 13.6 points and 5.3 rebounds per game while shooting 55.2% from the field.
According to Wake Forest Athletics, Collins and Detroit are scheduled to open their season against the Boston Celtics on Oct. 20, with coverage listed on NBA and Peacock.
Jake LaRavia — Los Angeles Lakers
LaRavia begins his fifth NBA season and second with the Lakers. Memphis selected him with the 19th overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft, and he has also spent time with the Sacramento Kings.
LaRavia averaged 8.2 points, 4.0 rebounds and 1.8 assists per game during the 2025-26 season. He now returns to Los Angeles as the Lakers prepare to open their campaign against the Golden State Warriors on Oct. 21, with the game scheduled for ESPN.
Wake Forest’s NBA legacy also includes some of the league’s most recognizable names, including Tim Duncan and Chris Paul. The program has produced 15 first-round NBA Draft selections, underscoring its history of developing players for the professional level.
Five Former Deacons Land on NBA G League Rosters
Wake Forest’s professional representation continues in the NBA G League, where five alumni are listed on rosters across four organizations affiliated with NBA teams.
The former Deacons and their current teams are:
Cameron Hildreth — Noblesville Boom, affiliated with the Indiana Pacers
Damari Monsanto — Capital City Go-Go, affiliated with the Washington Wizards
Hunter Sallis — San Diego Clippers, affiliated with the Los Angeles Clippers
Tre’Von Spillers — Cleveland Charge, affiliated with the Cleveland Cavaliers
Alondes Williams — Capital City Go-Go, affiliated with the Washington Wizards
The G League serves as the NBA’s official developmental league, providing players opportunities to develop their games and pursue opportunities at the highest level. Having five former Deacons represented across these organizations gives Wake Forest another avenue for maintaining a presence in the professional basketball pipeline.
Wake Forest Alumni Are Also Making an Impact Behind the Scenes
The program’s professional reach is not limited to players. Wake Forest alumni are also working in coaching, scouting, analytics, management and front-office roles across the NBA and G League.
The alumni identified by Wake Forest Athletics include:
L.D. Williams — Chicago Bulls, coaching staff
Ikenna Smart — Portland Trail Blazers, coaching staff
Tommy Eanes — Memphis Grizzlies, front office
Mitchell Wilbekin — Memphis Hustle, general manager
Ish Smith — Washington Wizards, scout
Bob Staak — Miami Heat, scout
Billy Schmidt — Los Angeles Clippers, analytics
Olivia Summiel — Utah Jazz, front office
These roles highlight another part of Wake Forest’s basketball legacy: former players and program members continuing to contribute to the sport through evaluation, team operations, player development and organizational decision-making.
More Than 20 Deacons Compete in International Basketball
Wake Forest’s reach stretches across continents, with more than 20 program alumni listed in international professional basketball leagues spanning Europe, Asia, Australia and the Americas.
The international contingent includes:
Tyree Appleby — Greece
Chaundee Brown — Japan
Andrew Carr — Australia
Brandon Childress — Turkey
Bryant Crawford — Israel
Ian DuBose — Denmark
Cornelius Hudson — Dubai
C.J. Harris — Greece
Jaylen Hoard — Israel
Tariq Ingraham — Slovakia
Bobi Klintman — Italy
Codi Miller-McIntyre — Greece
Dinos Mitoglou — Greece
Isaiah Mucius — Poland
Efton Reid III — Lithuania
Olivier Sarr — Spain
Darius Songaila — Lithuania, coach
Khadim Sy — China
Lucas Taylor — Finland
Terrence Thompson — Thailand
Daivien Williamson — Mexico
Their presence across different leagues reflects the variety of professional opportunities available to former college players. For Wake Forest, it also means the program’s influence can be seen in basketball communities far beyond Winston-Salem.
What It Really Means
Wake Forest’s professional basketball presence is about more than counting former players on NBA rosters. The program has alumni competing at different levels of the professional game, working toward NBA opportunities through the G League, building careers overseas and contributing to organizations in non-playing roles.
Collins and LaRavia give Wake Forest representation on two prominent NBA teams, while the G League contingent highlights a continuing pathway for former Deacons pursuing opportunities in the league. The international group shows that a professional basketball career can also develop across a wide range of leagues and countries.
The coaching, scouting, analytics and front-office alumni add another dimension to the program’s footprint. Together, these former Deacons illustrate how a college basketball program’s impact can continue long after players leave campus.
As the 2026-27 season begins, Wake Forest will have plenty of former players and program members to follow across professional basketball.
Source: Wake Forest Athletics
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